CPS board members step in throughout contract negotiations: ‘It isn’t an phantasm, it is collusion,’ alderman says

CHICAGO – The authorized battle between Chicago Public Colleges (CPS) CEO Pedro Martinez, the CPS Board of Schooling, and the Chicago Lecturers Union (CTU) is intensifying.

Martinez’s lawyer issued a brand new authorized discover to board members Monday night after Board President Sean Harden and members Frank Riley Thomas and Olga Bautista have been seen outdoors CTU headquarters. 

They mentioned they have been there to assist CPS negotiators throughout labor talks with the union.

“We wished to be right here to indicate our assist, be certain issues transfer ahead, and there is not any pause in actions,” mentioned Harden. “We’re transferring ahead, caring for enterprise appropriately.”

It caught Martinez off guard, prompting him to file the next order in court docket by way of his lawyer:

“We’re writing to demand that the Board Member Defendants instantly stop and desist with any such actions, which unlawfully infringe on and intrude with Mr. Martinez’s authority, as CEO, to behave as the only real consultant of the board in these negotiations.”

This comes after Friday evening’s 6-0 vote to fireside Martinez with out trigger, which means he’ll stay in his place for the subsequent six months. Board members said that his duties can be modified, however Martinez disagreed, saying they can’t try this.

“My contract may be very clear,” Martinez mentioned after the vote. “There are state legal guidelines. There are board insurance policies. However most of all, my contract is evident.”

FOX 32 Chicago’s Paris Schutz requested Bautista, Thomas and Harden in regards to the proposed modifications, however they declined to reply.

“I perceive what you are asking, however immediately, we now have a single objective and that is to assist the group,” Harden mentioned.

CTU President Stacy Davis Gates defended the board members on social media, noting that the Board President attended negotiations in 2012 to assist shut the deal. 

Nevertheless, Davis Gates neglected the truth that it was the mayor and CPS CEO who had requested then-president David Vitale’s presence. In contrast to in 2012, board members weren’t invited by CPS or the mayor to attend immediately’s negotiations.

“The board is simply there to set coverage, they are not alleged to be appearing within the day-to-day capabilities, and what you are seeing is the collusion proper in entrance of our eyes. It isn’t an phantasm, it is collusion,” mentioned Metropolis Council Member Gilbert Villegas.

The stop and desist order comes after a brief restraining order, with Martinez’s lawyer alleging that the mayor’s workplace, in coordination with the Chicago Lecturers Union and the brand new interim faculty board, has been colluding to violate Martinez’s contract. 

The declare stems from his refusal to simply accept a high-interest short-term mortgage to assist fund a brand new academics’ contract.

This growth happens simply three weeks earlier than a hybrid-elected faculty board is about to be sworn in.