After a tense year of negotiations, the Chicago Teachers Union ratified their contract last week with near unanimous approval. But bargaining is not over for Chicago Public Schools.
CPS principals formed their own union in 2023, and it’s time to lock in their first-ever contract.
What is the Principals Union?
As administrators, principals were never part of the teachers union in Chicago. But in early 2023, state lawmakers expanded the definition of "educational employees" within the Illinois Education Labor Relations Act, allowing principals to form their own unions.
The Chicago Principals & Administrators Association (CPAA), already a professional organization for principals, vice principals and administrators, quickly formed a new union.
Who Leads the CPAA?
Former CPS principal Troy LaRaviere leads the CPAA as president.
LaRaviere made headlines when he was fired from Blaine Elementary in 2013 after more than a decade as principal there. CPS accused him of insubordination, dereliction of duty, and violation of district and state policies. LaRaviere publicly criticized CPS and then-Mayor Rahm Emmanuel over standardized testing, spending, and more. He was elected CPAA president in 2016, long before the group became a union.
What Principals Are Bargaining For
CPAA contract negotiations first began in the fall but were put on hold amid contentious CTU talks. Now that that’s settled, CPS remains at the bargaining table — this time with LaRaviere and CPAA.
CPAA is advocating for several changes:
- Increased professional development
- Feedback for unsuccessful principal candidates
- More due process for principals facing discipline
- Enshrined protections against abuse and harassment
A union survey found a large number of principals and assistant principals report experiencing verbal abuse, threats, harassment, and occasional physical incidents involving students, parents, staff, or community members. Anti-harassment protections were first on the agenda when CPAA negotiations started back up recently.
Per district staffing data, the average CPS principal earns $161,960 annually, while assistant principals earn $131,800. The union is still working out a salary and benefits proposal.
Unlike the teachers union, CPAA is prohibited by state law from going on strike. The union can enlist an independent mediator if contract talks stall.
