International Socialism Project

The Bourbonnais Education Association (BEA) went on strike for a week starting on March 4. The purpose of this article is to explain what led to the strike and the main issues involved.

The reasons why the workers want a union are not surprising. Covid was obviously a major issue. Lack of proper safety procedures has been a worker concern at Amazon facilities nationally.

Covid changed everything in the country and has certainly affected the labor movement. So, it’s quite reasonable to see Covid as a unique and unusual damper on militancy.

The union has argued that the poor condition of the school buildings, the very uneven protective measures taken by the CPS, and the difficulties of social distancing with younger children all make the spread of the virus a serious concern.

When the working class movement is seen as a movement of action and struggle, people become open to its fundamental world outlook. Ideas of class solidarity and unity come forward.

The most probable explanation for Lightfoot’s rush to reopen the school system is class vindictiveness towards the CTU. Lightfoot feels, correctly, that she was bested by the CTU in the 2019 strike.

The length of a healthcare strike during a medical crisis is a thorny problem that unionists will need to think carefully about. Instant cries of bureaucratic betrayal may miss the mark.

We can see where the areas of fightback are today: the small strikes, the hospitals, for safety during the pandemic in schools, and the Teamsters’ opposition.

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