Three years ago, Chicago Teachers Union was not working with communities. Since the election of President Karen Lewis and her rank-and-file leadership team took office, teachers have been working with their school communities to organize a resistance to the "Chicago Way" of backdoor deals that lead to school privatization and outsourcing of services.

Mayor Emanuel must have felt the need to play hardball after this Chicago Tribune poll showed:



Among public school parents, 48 percent sided with the teachers union and 18 percent sided with the mayor.

Last week, teachers staged pickets outside of schools and parents and students joined in to advocate for their schools and their educators.



School paraprofessional Cynthia Smith pickets for a fair contract.

Although Mayor Rahm Emanuel has high-powered friends, CTU has something much more powerful -- 30,000 members and the students and parents they serve.



High School Teacher Michelle Mottram tells Progress Illinois why she's picketing.



Gage Park High School parents, teachers, and students want a #FairContractNow



Dett School picketing

Who are the out-of-town billionaires who are working with Mayor Emanuel to thwart the community? Watch this video and find out.



