Militant Chicago Teachers Union Loses Members

The article prominently displays a photograph of Karen Lewis, head of the Chicago Teachers Union, posing triumphantly with the “Labor Rat” balloon standing guard, announcing a 2012 strike plan. Sarah Karp has the story on wbez.org.

Karen Lewis — the woman whose tell-it-like-it-is style catapulted the Chicago Teachers Union into [dubious] prominence both in Chicago and nationally — is officially retiring at the end of the month . . .

The union faces continued membership losses as well as financial difficulties. And  the year ahead holds a mayoral election, a union leadership election, and contract negotiations.