|
ILLINOIS
TEACHERS UNIONS CALL STRIKES 48 TIMES IN 10 YEARS
Illinois Policy Institute/
Dylan Sharkey
Illinois saw 48 teacher strikes between
2010 and 2020, according to Illinois Education Labor Relations Board
data. Voters will decide if teachers’ unions should have a permanent
right to work stoppages on Nov. 8 – something none of Illinois’
neighbors allow.
|
|
 The General Assembly has put Amendment 1 on the Nov. 8 ballot. If voters pass
it, it would grant all public unions the power to strike over virtually endless
subjects. The Chicago Teachers Union has shown just how far-ranging those
demands could be by pushing their social agenda on housing, immigration,
“restorative justice,” wealth redistribution and defunding the police.
Even if teachers unions aren’t as radicalized as CTU, Amendment 1 would
certainly increase the number of strikes and strike threats from teachers’
unions for years to come. Unlimited subjects of bargaining mean an increased
likelihood of disagreement on those extra subjects, leading to more
opportunities for unions to call strikes.
[to top of second column] |
Teacher strikes are prohibited in all of the states
bordering Illinois. They are also banned in eight of the nation’s 10
largest school districts. If Amendment 1 passes,
lawmakers and voters could never repeal or change it, even if
everyone in the state agreed curbs on strikes were needed. There’s a
provision in Amendment 1 making it illegal to “interfere with” or
“diminish” any of the amendment’s language.
Illinois already has too many teacher strikes. Rather than allowing
more through Amendment 1, students’ educations should be protected
from disruptions. |
