Tag Archives: Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery

Chicago Jobs with Justice honors IFT President Dan Montgomery

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Chicago Jobs with Justice

Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery receives the Charlie Hayes award Sept. 15 from Chicago Jobs with Justice Executive Director Susan Hurley. Montgomery was introduced by Karen Lewis. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

Jennifer Rice Managing Editor

By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016
Email Jennifer Rice at: jen@foxvalley
labornews.com

You can view Karen Lewis’ introduction of Dan Montgomery by going to the Fox Valley Labor News YouTube channel

You can view Dan Montgomery talking to guests by going to the Fox Valley Labor News YouTube channel

CHICAGO — Dan Montgomery was content on staying an English teacher in Skokie. He entered the profession to teach, but somewhere along the way, he become a unionist. And he’s OK with that.

“Along the way, I became a union leader and it’s been a great honor and privilege. Along the way, I discovered I loved it,” Montgomery said.

He’s OK with being part of a group of people who work hard for the continuance of democracy. “You realize you’re part of something much bigger than just those 40 minutes in your classroom every day,” Montgomery explained.

Since 2010 Montgomery’s been president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) union where he’s fought for justice for teachers, students and working families throughout the state and Chicago. For that, Chicago Jobs with Justice (CJwJ) honored Montgomery with its Charlie Hayes Award Sept. 15.

CJwJ is also celebrating 25 years of activism and organizing.

IFT Vice President Karen Lewis introduced Montgomery and recalled their election as IFT officers and traveling to its convention. “There were people that we defeated that were still on the IFT Executive Board, so, it was a very awkward time,” she said to laughs from guests.

Chicago

Chicago Teachers Union President and Illinois Federation of Teachers Vice President Karen Lewis addresses Chicago Jobs with Justice honoree Dan Montgomery. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

There were some veteran IFT officials that wanted someone other than Montgomery making decisions, suggesting he act instead as a shadow to the real leaders. Lewis wanted to give Montgomery a shot. She convinced him it would be OK; that they would figure it out together.

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When Lewis talks about Montgomery, you can see the admiration and respect she has for him. “I appreciate that he took that leap of faith. He went over that mountain with me, and we’ve been at it ever since,” Lewis explained.

Montgomery has recognized the need to build solidarity with other unions, with the community and with parents.

Teaching in Skokie, he said his students had parents who worked middle-class jobs. The parents were the kind of people Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump doesn’t care about.

Even though Montgomery taught to the best of his ability, nothing would have a greater impact on the lives of his students than if a parent lost their job.

“That will have a bigger impact on their lives than anything I could do as a teacher,” he explained.

Honoring Karen Lewis: Fighting for her students, members and Labor

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Jennifer Rice Managing Editor

By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015
Email Jennifer Rice at: jen@foxvalley
labornews.com

GURNEE — Fatigue from ongoing chemotherapy treatments, combined with battling the Chicago Public School administration with contract negotiations kept Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis from accepting a recent award in person — but it didn’t stiefel the love felt for the woman who leads the nearly 30,000 teachers and educational support personnel working in the Chicago Public Schools.

Lewis was the recipient of the Person of the Year award, given by the Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. This is the 20th year the council has given this award.

Chicago Teachers Union President, Karen Lewis

Chicago Teachers Union President, Karen Lewis

“I know Karen very well, and let me tell you — this is deeply meaningful to her,” said Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery, who accepted on Lewis’ behalf.

Visibly emotional while speaking to guests at the Sept. 24 event in Gurnee, Montgomery held back tears while discussing what the award means to Lewis. “I’m going to tell her the kind of reception you gave her. And that will mean a lot to her,” he said. “I spoke with Karen before coming here, and she wanted to say: ‘Tell them I’m doing much better, but we’re in negotiations. I have limited ability to drive and to speak after fooling with Rahm’s minions [CPS functionaries],’” which drew applause and laughter from guests.

Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery accepts an award Sept. 24 on behalf of Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis for Person of the Year, given to Lewis by the Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. Staff photographer, Jennifer Rice

Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery accepts an award Sept. 24 on behalf of Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis for Person of the Year, given to Lewis by the Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

During a run last year for Chicago’s mayor, Lewis suddenly was diagnosed with brain cancer. She had surgery two days after diagnoses and has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments ever since.

“She is doing well. She will tell you her scans are clear — her cancer appears to be gone, but she’s extremely weak. If you’ve seen her recently, she’s lost a lot of weight, she walks with a walker, but her mind is as sharp as ever,” Montgomery explained.

Even though CTU President Karen Lewis was unable to attend an event in her honor, guest of the 20th annual Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Person of the Year award, stand and applaud her efforts and dedication for teaching and standing firm against the privatization of public education.

Even though CTU President Karen Lewis was unable to attend an event in her honor, guest of the 20th annual Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Person of the Year award, stand and applaud her efforts and dedication for teaching and standing firm against the privatization of public education. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

If one thing could define Lewis, Montgomery said it would be that she is a teacher. “She’s a teacher at heart and she’s a teacher through-and-through. She bring that with her as a unionist and it’s what makes her a really good union leader,” he said.

Besides being a union leader, Lewis loves opera, speaks Italian, plays the piano and is an observant Jew. “She’s a really interesting, smart and multifarious person. She also doesn’t put up with bullshit and doesn’t tolerate foolishness. She does that in the defense of her community, her city, her teachers and the schools,” Montgomery said.

Illinois AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Tim Drea, who traveled from Springfield to attend the event, said Lewis should be honored to receive the Person of the Year award. Drea was a past recipient himself, receiving the award in 2010.

As a past recipient himself, Illinois AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Tim Drea said CTU President Karen Lewis should be proud she was chosen for the Person of the Year award.

As a past recipient himself, Illinois AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Tim Drea said CTU President Karen Lewis should be proud she was chosen for the Person of the Year award. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

Following tradition, Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO President Patrick Statter gave Lewis a Michael the Archangel clock, so she will “always be safe, and never be late,” Statter explained.

Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery, right, hold the traditional Person of the Year gift from the Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO - a Michael the Archangel clock, which he will give to Karen Lewis. Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO President Patrick Statter, left, reads an Illinois Senate recognition certificate offered by Senator Melinda Bush, citing Lewis’ dedication and fight for labor.

Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery, right, hold the traditional Person of the Year gift from the Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO – a Michael the Archangel clock, which he will give to Karen Lewis. Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO President Patrick Statter, left, reads an Illinois Senate recognition certificate offered by Senator Melinda Bush, citing Lewis’ dedication and fight for labor. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

Rauner’s Executive Order takes aim at unions

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Gov. Bruce Rauner’s Feb. 9 Executive Order

Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery called Gov. Bruce Rauner’s Feb. 9 Executive Order “a blatant abuse of power” to try and eliminate so-called fair share dues paid by workers who don’t join a union. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Fox Valley Labor News
staff reports
Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015

SPRINGFIELD — In what Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) President Dan Montgomery called “a blatant abuse of power,” Gov. Bruce Rauner signed an Executive Order Feb. 9 blocking thousands of state employees from paying fair share fees. The Governor also announced he has filed suit in federal court to have fair share provisions declared unconstitutional.

Rauner said 6,500 state employees are paying so-called “fair share” dues, or an average of $577 a year per worker.

Montgomery vowed the IFT will “proudly stand and fight alongside others to oppose Rauner’s overreaching order.”

Fair share fees are payments required of individuals who receive the pay and other contractual benefits negotiated by the union but who choose not to join. The Governor’s order may impact a small number of IFT state employee members, but it does not impact teachers or other employees in K-12 school districts or higher education faculty.

Decatur Club

Union members met Gov. Bruce Rauner outside the Decatur Club Feb. 6 in Decatur to send Rauner the message that right-to-work is wrong for Illinois. Photo courtesy of Decatur Trades & Labor Assembly

Rauner’s announcement makes it clear once again: While the state is suffering from significant fiscal problems, the new Governor’s priority is to attack middle class families and the unions who represent them rather than find real solutions to our challenges
The IFT is just one of several union committed to joining the fight against Rauner. AFSCME, which represents thousands of state workers, strongly condemned the Governor’s attack. AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch. “Our union and all organized labor will stand together with those who believe in democracy to overturn Bruce Rauner’s illegal action and restore the integrity of the rule of law,” she explained.

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Rauner can be overruled by the courts, or if lawmakers can gather enough votes to override his decision. Democrats hold supermajorities in the state Legislature.

Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael Carrigan said Rauner has been on a “blame crusade” that unfairly targets public employees.

“While he points to the salaries of those cooking the food in the cafeterias, guarding the prisoners and plowing the snow and ice from our roads as the culprits in our state financial woes, he is silent on the hundreds of tax breaks granted to large businesses and low corporate income tax in Illinois,” Carrigan said.

The executive order followed Rauner’s proposal last week, during his State of the State Address, for Illinois to adopt “right to work” zones around the state where communities are able to decide whether joining a union or paying union fees would be voluntary for local workers.