URGENT UPDATE: Federal lawmakers are escalating their demands for financial transparency from the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), following accusations of a lack of accountability to its members. The U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee has officially requested financial audits spanning from 2019 to 2024, claiming the union has withheld crucial information that its members are entitled to access.
The letter, sent to CTU President Stacy Davis Gates on November 16, 2023, outlines serious allegations that union leaders have not only failed to follow their own bylaws regarding financial disclosures but have also actively concealed financial records from their membership. Lawmakers have set a deadline of December 8, 2023, for the union to produce these records. Failure to comply may lead to the issuance of a subpoena, although the letter does not confirm this action.
This demand comes amid a developing lawsuit filed by a CTU member who alleges that union officials have repeatedly refused to release financial documents. Notably, the CTU has reportedly spent millions on political campaigns in recent years, including efforts to support the election of Brandon Johnson as Chicago’s mayor.
The committee’s letter states, “The committee understands that CTU leadership has actively sought to keep complete financial information from its own members, who continue to request that audits be published.” The lawmakers highlighted an instance where a member’s request for transparency was dismissed as a “racist dog whistle,” raising concerns about the union’s commitment to accountability.
The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. With the potential for new legislation regarding union financial disclosures hinging on the outcome of this request, the implications extend beyond the CTU, impacting labor unions nationwide.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the CTU’s response and whether the union will comply with the congressional request. The committee’s investigation aims to determine if legislative measures are necessary to enforce transparency among labor organizations.
Stay tuned for updates on this critical issue as it unfolds. The financial practices of unions like the CTU are under scrutiny, and the outcomes could shape the future of labor relations in the United States.
