PRESS ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, DEC. 2 FROM 7:30 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
December 1, 2020
Contact: Karen Rego, CHTU President, 216-321-0020, krego@chtu.org
Neil Bhaerman, OFT Communications Director, 412-266-4899, nbhaerman@oft-aft.org
500 Educators to Begin Strike in Cleveland Heights-University Heights
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — Educators in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District are beginning their strike tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m. The members of the Cleveland Heights Teachers Union (CHTU) are striking in response to the district’s unilateral imposition of a new contract that slashes retirement and health benefits, costing many members $3,000-5,000 a year in losses. Union members are taking this step because lowering standards in the district will increase turnover and drive experienced, skilled educators out of the school district, impacting the quality of education for our students.
The first day of the strike will only include pickets at the Board of Education and Cleveland Heights High School, due to parking and safety issues from this week’s winter storm. Following the pickets, educators and supporters, including Senator Sandra Williams and AFT President Randi Weingarten, will gather virtually for a teleconference rally at 2:00 p.m.
Remaining days of the strike will include pickets at every school. Picket line groups will be capped at ten people, picketers will wear masks and keep an appropriate distance from each other.
Day 1 Picket Lines
WHO: Teachers, counselors, nurses, social workers, and other education professionals.
WHAT: Strike picket lines at the Board of Education and High School
WHEN: 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Wednesday, December 2, 2020
WHERE: Board of Education, 2155 Miramar Blvd., University Heights, OH 44118
Cleveland Heights High School, 13263 Cedar Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
Rally
WHO: CHTU members including CHTU President Karen Rego, AFT President Randi Weingarten, State Senator Sandra Williams, parents, students, and other supporters.
WHAT: A teleconference rally to support quality education in the CH-UH school district
WHEN: 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 2, 2020
WHERE: RSVP to join that call here.
Following Days
For the following days of the strike, pickets will be active during these times:
Board of Education, Middle Schools, and High School - 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Elementary Schools - 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
Rolling pickets (small parades of cars) will occur daily throughout the strike as well.
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The Cleveland Heights Teachers Union (CHTU) represents 500 teachers, counselors, school nurses, and other education professionals, united to support quality education in our community. CHTU is affiliated with the Ohio Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of Teachers.