Sections:

Article

RETIREE NEWS AND CTU HISTORY: More than fifty years of activism in the Chicago Teachers Union

Al Korach - January 19, 2012

I was deeply gratified as I approach my 83rd birthday to hear that I was again reelected to the Chicago Teachers Union's House of Delegates as a retiree delegate. It’s hard to believe that I have served this union for over 50 years in many forms. I’ve been an executive board member, elementary functional vice president, chairperson of Rules & Election, and served on many committees and as a delegate to national and state conventions. I also served for ten years as a trustee of the Chicago Teachers Pension and Retirement Fund (CTPF), retiring as its vice president. God, it seems much too long as I write it down.

Chicago Teachers Union retiree delegate Al Korach with his Gold Wing in Margate, Florida, in December 2011, one month before his most recent election to the Chicago Teachers Union House of Delegates. Korach has been active in the CTU for more than 50 years. Substance photo by Marlene Korach.I grew up in a union family. My father worked, as did many immigrants, in Chicago’s garment district. He became a shop steward as he worked a steam press. Because of his seniority he had the steam press by an open window. He took me to work one day and said to me, “I want you to stay in school so you do not have to do this kind of work.” I recall going to the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America union hall on Ashland Avenue for my dental work.

I lived in Chicago and received all my education within the city limits. Bryant Elementary, Crane Technical High School, Herzl Junior College, University of Illinois (Navy Pier), Chicago Teachers College (B Ed) and the University of Chicago (A. M.). I was the first group out of the Chicago Teachers College that had to take the certification exam before assignment. Thank God I passed on my first try.

I was just married in 1952 and I had to rush off from my honeymoon to go to student teaching at the Lewis Elementary School in Austin. It was a good marriage because it has lasted over 60 years with three children. My arrival at Lewis Elementary was treated like the plague. It seems that I was the first male teacher — and had to utilize the washroom with the engineer in the school’s boiler room. Added to my problems I was immediately asked, “Whom are you going to have lunch with, them or us?” The “them group” was to eat with the principal and the “us group” were the dissidents. I chose to eat in my gym office alone. At times I ate with the custodial staff so as not to jeopardize my toilet privileges.

My first real assignment was at the Wicker Park Elementary School (now A.N. Pritzker, but still a public school) just off of Damen and Division. There was a toilet right inside of the combination gymnasium and assembly hall. The chairs were stored in the hall adjacent to the room. Yes, it was my duty to use the gym class to set up the auditorium chairs. The gym was on the 3rd floor right over the library. I was told that the toilet was for the use of the 3rd floor female staff, and I was to make arrangements with the engineer or use the student’s toilet in the hall.

Enough was enough! I put a lock on the door and "Presto!" we had a unisex john.

Now this is about the time the union came into my life. I started out making $2,900 a year with no benefits. One day I was standing in the play area watching a truck driver delivering heating oil to the school. In the course of the conversation he told me how much he earns. I thought! Here I am with a college degree earning less then this person who only needed a driver's license. To make ends meet, I started out the day at 6:00 a.m. at Grand Harlem Liquors setting up the bar for the day’s business. Weekends I was the night mechanic at Pinkertons Standard station and taught Americanization two nights a week at the Bezzazian Branch Library. At least my wife was able to stay at home to raise the kids.

One day I received a call at home from Rochelle Hart. Rochelle at that time was the editor of the Chicago Teachers Union paper and an all around CTU worker. I do not know how she got my name but she told me that the school did not have a delegate and would I take the job. She told me what the union did and what the CTU was trying to do. As if I did not have enough in my life, I took the job. I always felt that if you do something do it right. I organized to school.

My first union meeting was at the old Engineers Building on Wacker Drive. It was an eye opener. Here at last was a group of teachers with spunk and energy. I took to the floor as I always had something to say. About the same time I applied for a transfer to the Rogers Elementary School in Rogers Park. I could now ride my bicycle to and from school. This was about the time the union threatened to strike regarding a collective bargaining agreement. Talk about some wild meetings at the CTU as well as at the schools. I was able to organize Rogers into an all-union school. Talk about the fear factor and the threat of getting fired. As you all know it turned out well and we got collective bargaining.

What I have not spoken of was my enlistment in the National Guard as a private. I enlisted in the 108th Medical Battalion as an ambulance driver and cook. At the same time I completed the Series 10 pre-commissioning course from the Medical Field Service School. I transferred to the 131st infantry, Medical Company as a 2nd Lt. Before long, I was made company commander of the unit. It was then that I realized I did not know how to really run a medical unit on active duty. I took military leave from the Board of Ed and applied for extended active duty. I ended up in Brooke Army Medical center, San Antonio, Texas. I attended the Assistant Battalion Surgeons School When I completed the course I really knew how to run a medical unit. I was awarded the military occupation specialty (MOS) of 3506, Assistant Battalion Surgeon. I believe I took two more military leaves before I retired from the 801st Hospital Center as a Lt. Colonel.

I returned to Rogers Elementary School to guide the school thru the two strikes with 100% participation. I served with CTU support a number of terms as a pension trustee and finally as the fund’s VP. With the help of Judy Cheris we were able to diversify the fund from one Investment Company to many. This diversification lessened the investment risk.

I do not have enough paper to cover the conventions, committees, and collective bargaining sessions. I was a charter member of the United Progressive Caucus (UPC) but as years went by I became dissatisfied with some of the methods and issues that occurred within the UPC. I broke with them and became an independent. I started to write for Substance. My wife and I both enjoy our retirement and traveling the USA on our large Honda Gold Wing Motorcycle. We live 1/2 a year up north and the other 1/2 down south.

I have within the last year had two total knee replacements followed by a left hip replacement and a left palm carpal tunnel procedure. With all this surgery, I was able to pass and receive the motorcycle endorsement for my drivers license. Stay well and stay united.

In solidarity Al Korach

Copyright 2006-2020 by Substance News. All rights reserved.