From Chicago Sun-Times · · 1m 50s
SEIU backs Giannoulias over Johnson feud
SEIU unions drop Brandon Johnson after feud over teacher assistant contracts.
In brief
SEIU unions drop Brandon Johnson after feud over teacher assistant contracts. SEIU Locals 1 and 73 endorse Alexi Giannoulias for Chicago mayor after conflict with Brandon Johnson over teacher assistant contracts. Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
SEIU unions split from Johnson
SEIU Locals 1 and 73 dropped Brandon Johnson after a feud over teacher assistant contracts.
Giannoulias gets key endorsement
SEIU Locals 1 and 73 endorsed Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias for mayor.
Johnson's campaign war chest
Giannoulias has a $19.2 million campaign war chest versus Johnson's $379,471 cash on hand.
SEIU donated to Johnson
SEIU affiliates donated over $4.5 million to Johnson's 2023 mayoral campaign.
SEIU provided campaign workers
SEIU provided scores of campaign workers and materials for Johnson's campaign.
SEIU's feud with CTU
SEIU accused Chicago Teachers Union of crafting contracts that would train teacher assistants to do SEIU work.
SEIU Local 73's stance
SEIU Local 73 President Dian Palmer said Johnson didn't call back after asking him to stand down.
SEIU's job raid issue
SEIU wanted mayor to remain neutral on teacher assistant contract disputes.
Johnson's loan decision
Johnson pushed for a $175 million pension loan that triggered Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez's firing.
SEIU's new PAC
SEIU created Brighter Futures PAC to help elect SEIU-backed school board candidates.
SEIU's membership size
SEIU Locals 1 and 73 represent 50,000 Chicago employees including 18,000 at CPS.
Johnson's response
Johnson's senior adviser said his record of supporting workers speaks for itself.
SEIU's trust issue
SEIU members believe Giannoulias will be fairer than Johnson on labor issues.
SEIU's next move
SEIU will likely support Giannoulias in Chicago mayoral race after splitting from Johnson.
At a glance
SEIU Locals 1 and 73 endorse Alexi Giannoulias for Chicago mayor after conflict with Brandon Johnson over teacher assistant contracts.
