from Democracy Now!
As the Chicago public school teachers’ strike enters its second day, we’re joined by the journalist and author Chris Hedges. “The teacher strike in Chicago is arguably one of the most important labor actions in probably decades,” Hedges says. “If it does not prevail, you can be certain that the template for the attack on the union will be carried out across the country against other teachers unions and against the last redoubt of union activity, which is in the public sector of course, fireman and police.” Hedges continues, “It is always the ruling class that determines the parameters of rebellion and resistance. And the Chicago strike illustrates the bankruptcy of both traditional labor and the Democratic Party. And that is why the Occupy movement was so important.” Hedges is the author of the new book with illustrator Joe Sacco, “Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt.”
Tags: Arne Duncan, charter schools, Chicago IL, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Teachers Union, Chris Hedges, Cook County, corporate Democrats, CTU, Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt, Democrats, education, high-stakes testing, Illinois, Obama Administration, Occupy movement, Rahm Emanuel, strike, Teach for America, teachers, unions