CHICAGO – A tentative agreement has been reached between the The Latin School of Chicago and the faculty who are members of Latin School Union (LSU, IFT Local 5183). The union was formed two years ago to give faculty a voice in decision-making at Latin. The two sides have since been in negotiations to establish their first collective bargaining agreement.
“For two years, we worked to negotiate a fair contract, secured in writing, that would attract and retain the high-quality teaching cadre that our students deserve and parents expect,” said Brandon Woods, LSU vice-president. “I’m proud to take part in this democratic process and that our team did so with high member input and full transparency. We were committed to creating the conditions for success, for our students and for Latin School faculty, and the resulting agreement is a tribute to that goal.”
The agreement addresses a wide range of working conditions, from compensation and benefits to establishing a grievance process and ensuring academic freedom. It also guarantees small class sizes and resources that support an excellent learning experience for students.
Members will now have a chance to read through the proposals in the tentative agreement. LSU will hold Q&A sessions before holding a ratification vote. The date of that vote is yet to be determined.
“This is a historic milestone for Latin, and a testament to the commitment and core values of our members,” said LSU President Elissabeth Legendre. “I am confident that we will continue to stand in solidarity to work to make Latin a better place for ourselves, our families, and our students.”
Latin School Union (IFT Local 5183) represents 184 faculty including teachers, assistant teachers, nurses, counselors, and college counselors at all three schools within The Latin School of Chicago. The union was formed in June, 2021, and is affiliated with the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of Teachers.
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