Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Has No Place at Labor Notes

The Labor Notes Conference will have record attendance this year, but it’s showing its limits by opening with a speech from Chicago’s pro-cop Democratic mayor, Brandon Johnson. Instead of facilitating the Democratic Party’s co-optation of our movement, Labor Notes should be a space for workers and socialists to gather and fight for a class-independent alternative.

Brandon Johnson Will Disappoint Working People in Chicago

Brandon Johnson’s progressive electoral campaign attracted activists, young people, and members of the Black and Brown community. But like all Democrats, he governs for the capitalist class, not for the people of color and working-class people who volunteered for him.

“I Want to Thank the Staff That Held the Line”: Interview with a Chicago Teacher

Earlier this month, teachers in Chicago voted to resume remote learning rather than return to unsafe working conditions. In response, Chicago Mayor, Lori Lightfoot locked the teachers out of their classes and threatened to stop paying them. After a few days, the Chicago Teachers Union’s House of Delegates voted to suspend the teachers’ action and called them to in person classes. We spoke to a Chicago teacher about this struggle and what it means for educators across the country.

#LoriLockout: Chicago Teachers Locked Out of Virtual Classrooms

In Chicago, public school teachers overwhelmingly voted in favor of remote instruction until adequate safety measures were in place for in-person instruction. In response, Mayor Lightfoot locked teachers out of their virtual classrooms and has threatened to withhold pay if teachers don’t report to work by Wednesday.

Chicago Teachers Are Locked Out After Voting for Remote Learning, Refusing to Enter Unsafe Classrooms

Amidst a massive coronavirus surge, Chicago public school teachers voted to return to classes remotely following winter break. Instead Mayor Lightfoot and the district cancelled all classes in a clear confrontation with the city’s teachers and threatened to place all teachers who don’t return by Wednesday on “no pay” status.

Adam Toledo, Age 13, Had His Hands in the Air. A Chicago Cop Shot and Killed Him

Adam Toledo was shot by the police while complying with their orders. Then the state tried to cover it up, claiming that he was shooting at the officers. Body cam footage released on Thursday shows that to be a lie.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot: No Friend of Chicago Teachers

After reaching an agreement with the Chicago Teachers Union for an improved but insufficient reopening plan, Mayor Lori Lightfoot has shown her true colors when it comes to the labor movement and democratizing Chicago Public Schools.

Chicago Teachers Reach Tentative Agreement to Reopen Schools

On Tuesday, Chicago teachers narrowly voted to approve a proposal from the CPS that would have them return to their classrooms over the next several weeks. Though much better than the original reopening plan, even the union leadership admits it is imperfect. A real victory can only come from the organized rank and file. 

“A Victory for Us Will Be a Victory for All Workers”: Interview with Chicago Teacher on the Brink of Strike

Teachers in Chicago are fighting against the city’s plans to force them back to in-person learning despite unsafe conditions. Left Voice spoke to one of the teachers in the middle of the struggle about their experience and why it is important that workers across the country support Chicago teachers in this struggle.