Astonishing outburst of controversial teachers’ union boss on being confronted by reporter
The head of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) refused to answer reporters’ questions after considering herself “not a public figure.”
Stacy Davis Gates, head of the CTU, told reporters during a scheduled appearance that they “forced” her to talk to them.
When told by a reporter that she was a public figure, Davis Gates said, “No, I’m not a public figure,” despite being the head of one of the largest political groups in the Windy City.
Davis Gates was asked to speak amid ongoing tensions between Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez.
According to ABC7The two came to blows after Martinez refused to sign on to the mayor’s proposal for a loan to cover a pension plan for non-teaching staff and new costs related to a yet-to-be finalized union contract.
Martinez had flat-out refused to take out the loan, saying it was fiscally irresponsible and that the board of education had initially sided with him.
Stacy Davis Gates, head of the CTU, told reporters during a scheduled appearance that they ‘forced’ her to talk to them
Mayor Johnson asked Martinez to resign on Wednesday, but the public school CEO declined to do so.
When asked if she wanted Martinez to lose his position, Davis Gates added, “No, I want the Chicago Public Schools, I want the Chicago Board of Education, I want the CEO of Chicago Public Schools, I want the mayor of Chicago fully fund public schools.”
Martinez, seen here, had outright refused to take out the loan, saying it was fiscally irresponsible and that the board of education had initially sided with him
She accused Martinez of refusing to fill the system’s current 1,200 employee vacancies and failing to find financing solutions.
Sources within Chicago Public Schools report this Fox32 that offer, which would increase teacher salaries by four to five percent, is on the table.
Despite this, Davis Gates is reportedly calling for raises of as much as nine percent, as well as an increase in the number of school staff.
Martinez has said this would completely bankrupt the city’s education system.
The Chicago School Board had approved a five-year plan for the public schools earlier this month before tensions came to a head.
Officials published the plan, called ‘Together We Rise’, with goals they want to put into action by 2029.
Mayor Johnson and Davis Gates have since accused Martinez of supporting school closures, consolidations, furloughs, layoffs and more to balance the budget.
Although Johnson asked Martinez to resign, he does not have that power. Only the seven-member education board can do that.
Mayor Johnson, seen here, asked Martinez to resign on Wednesday, but the public schools CEO refused to do so
Davis Gates is reportedly calling for pay increases of as much as nine percent, as well as an increase in the number of school staff
Although the board sided with Martinez this year over the disputes, a senior aide close to the mayor told the newspaper Chicago Sun Times that Martinez had now ‘lost control’.
As the tension between Johnson and Martinez continues, leaders from various sectors have joined a growing outpouring of support for Martinez.
Leaders including City Comptroller Susana Mendoza, 22 Chicago City Council members and others signed a letter of support.
They wrote: “It is in the best interests of both the city and our schools to ensure that the next generation is not saddled with debt they did not want to take on.
“CEO Martinez’s responsible refusal to take out short-term, high-interest loans to address budget deficits should be commended, not punished. Chicago needs more fiscal discipline, not less.
“We strongly oppose Mayor Brandon Johnson’s request for the resignation of CEO Pedro Martinez.
“We also strongly urge the school board to continue its support of Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez and stand firm against the Chicago Teachers Union’s unprecedented demands to fire him.”