CPAA Collective Bargaining Bill For School Leaders Filed In Senate

In a 2019 survey, over 97% of CPAA members supported collective bargaining rights for CPS administrators, so we got to work. Senate Bill 3803--written by CPAA to extend collective bargaining rights to Chicago's school leaders--was officially filed in the Illinois State Senate this week by Senator Robert Martwick.

Why Collective Bargaining Rights?

Principals and assistant principals know how to set up a thriving learning environment, and they know what resources and policies their schools and children need to improve and flourish. Yet, principals are the only school-based personnel who have no independent voice in district policies and resource allocation. Collective bargaining gives them that independent voice and provides a process for the district to listen and develop a mutual understanding, all geared to help our children prosper.

When principals and other school leaders have a voice, students are the winners. US News and World Report's top five K-12 education states all provide collective bargaining to school leaders. More than a dozen other states have established collective bargaining for school leaders as well. Over the next few weeks and months, I will send you information that dispels several incorrect assumptions about school leaders being in a bargaining unit. I will also send you additional information on how students and schools benefit when their principals and assistant principals have collective bargaining rights. 

What Can You Do?

Researching, writing, and securing a sponsor for the bill took a lot of effort. Getting it passed will be a greater challenge. That's where you come in. There are more than a thousand CPS principals, assistant principals, and administrators. All of you must be a part of the effort to get this bill passed. That means completing witness slips, writing your legislators, visiting Springfield, and encouraging others to support the proposed law as well. Over 50 school leaders signed up for our Working Group on Compensation and Collective Bargaining. You can sign up here if you'd like to join them.

I appreciate the work you do for students. For 20 years, I did that work on the Southside, Westside, and Northside. I understand how unnecessarily hard that work can be when we don't have the kind of influence that we need in order to move district policies and practices. Principal and AP working conditions have a significant impact on student learning conditions. Collective bargaining rights can be a powerful tool for us to strengthen our influence and create conditions that enable our schools and our profession to thrive. This is bigger than any differences we may have. This is bigger than one member or one president. This is about all of us. It is about the future of our profession and the work we do for children, families, and communities. I hope we get your support and participation in this effort.

WORKING GROUP SIGN-UP

Feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions or concerns.

In solidarity,
Troy