Social media discussion groups help teachers stay connected, understand confusing CPS crap
As one of the people who received the confusing CPS letter, I was releived when I saw Facebook posts by other teachers who said they'd gotten the letter, too, and already looked to their records and found it was a mistake. It was helpful to know this would probably be the case for myself.
In addition, it's always a relief and enlightening to read the words of others who have similar feelings or experiences of CPS incompetence. This is one of the reasons Substance newspaper, in print from 1975 to 2012, and online since 2004, has been appreciated by so many. Below are some of comments taken from Facebook, written by Chicago Teachers Union members, after CPS admitted the error:
• CPS. What a bunch of maroons
• What a waste of money in 17,000 stamps...
• WASTE of time and money. Now they'll waste more mailing out the same info in the e-mail?!?!?
• Exactly
• Perhaps as an apology, CPS could expedite the backpay that's owed and implement our new pay scale now, instead of more than halfway through the school year. I never received the letter, I assume because the Clemente Post Office sucks so much, but I did receive the email that a letter was sent to me. I'm kinda glad - I'd feel pretty disappointed given how broke I've been due to the strike.
• Wonder if this will get covered in the Trib or Sun Times? Heh, I will not be wasting any of my remaining break time looking.
• It's safe to say the Trib would NEVER cover it.
• What is really going on. Is CPS killing itself? This is unacceptable.
• I received the letter, rushed to get it notarized, went to CPS at 42 W Madison and turned it in. The employee at the front desk said he would place it in a folder and someone from upstairs would come down to get it. Then I get the email that it was an error, I felt scammed, what a waste of my time during my winter break.
• I received one at my old address.... makes no sense cause CPS knows where to find me.
• I was one of those who made sure I notarized and paid postage to get this done. • I hate that so many teachers got their hopes up. There are probably some who are owed money, but this was all a waste
• So...it's quite possible that ppl went out to pay for notary service for nothing eh. Great job CPS!!! I can almost WEEP thinking about the crap they'll pull around retro pay and COLA time.
• What's sad is how long CPS took to figure out and inform they made this massive mistake. • It’s about time CPS clarified the situation.
• Yes...I was waiting. I was going to forward my letter to my CTU field rep because it was too much confusion
• I received this email and a letter. Too good to be true. CPS should honor the error. (Just my opinion)
• This is so CPS. And how much money was wasted (money that CPS could have bought - oh, I don't know - books!). Just in stamps, answering phone calls, etc., etc. But you know, I'm guessing in someway they will end up blaming the teachers.
• Teachers should be reimbursed for notary service,stamps and express mail not to mention time used.
