Chicago Teachers Union Fights for May Day Protest

Dispute over school closures on May 1 highlights tensions between educators, students, and city leaders

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:56am

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The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is advocating for a day off from classes on May 1 to allow educators and students to participate in May Day protests, a move that aligns with the union's goals of advocating for workers' rights and addressing systemic issues in education. However, the proposed school closure has created concerns over disruptions to academic activities, including test preparation and prom events, particularly for students from low-income backgrounds.

Why it matters

The dispute over May Day classes highlights the complex relationship between the CTU and the city's leadership, as well as the broader political landscape in Chicago, where the city is transitioning to a fully-elected school board. This issue reflects the delicate balance between advocating for change and maintaining the stability and continuity of education for students.

The details

The CTU's stance is rooted in the belief that educators should be active participants in the democratic process, especially when it comes to matters affecting their students and the broader community. The union's strategic use of a scheduled professional development day to create the May 1 day off has been a point of contention, as it could disrupt academic activities like test preparation and prom events. Parents and students have raised concerns about the potential impact on learning, particularly for those from low-income backgrounds.

  • The CTU is advocating for a day off from classes on May 1, 2026.
  • The district's survey reveals that approximately one-fifth of the schools had planned activities on May 1, 2026, including field trips, sporting events, and makeup testing for Advanced Placement classes.

The players

Chicago Teachers Union (CTU)

The labor union representing teachers and other educational staff in the Chicago public school system, advocating for workers' rights and addressing systemic issues in education.

Mayor Brandon Johnson

The current mayor of Chicago, who finds himself in a delicate position, supporting the May 1 demonstrations while also navigating the potential impact on his reelection bid in 2027.

Mariam Hafezi

A parent of a middle school student in Chicago, who raises concerns about the importance of learning about civics and the value of student-led walkouts, but also suggests that these demonstrations could be more effective if integrated into the classroom curriculum.

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What they’re saying

“Educators should be active participants in the democratic process, especially when it comes to matters affecting their students and the broader community.”

— Chicago Teachers Union

“These demonstrations could be more effective if integrated into the classroom curriculum, rather than occurring outside of school hours.”

— Mariam Hafezi, Parent of a middle school student

What’s next

The mayor's relationship with the CTU, which supported his election in 2023, will be a key factor in how this dispute is resolved, as the city transitions to a fully-elected school board.

The takeaway

The fight over a single day off school highlights the broader political landscape in Chicago, where the city is phasing out a mayor-appointed school board in favor of a fully-elected one. This issue serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between advocating for change and maintaining the stability and continuity of education for students.