ALBANY, N.Y. September 10, 2012 - The 600,000-member New York State United Teachers pledged its full support to the 30,000 teachers and staff in Chicago who today went on strike. Outstanding issues leading to the strike include fairness and respect for teachers and staff serving the Chicago Public Schools; a demand for badly needed resources for Chicago students, and better working conditions and benefits for teachers and staff.
NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi said in a statement:
"NYSUT's officers, board of directors and its 600,000 members stand with the Chicago Teachers Union as it fights for what's best for that city's children. Their fight is our fight. Their struggle is our struggle.
NYSUT stands united with the CTU as it fights for a just and fair outcome that meets the needs of Chicago's teachers and staff as well as the students and communities they serve. We are monitoring the situation closely and prepared to do whatever necessary to support our sisters and brothers in the CTU."
NYSUT, the state's largest union, represents some 600,000 classroom teachers and other school employees; faculty and other professionals at the state's community colleges, State University of New York and City University of New York, and other education and health professionals. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.
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