The opposition slate argues that the current leadership’s bullish nature doesn’t allow for dissenting voices, lacks financial transparency and has shed union allies. Davis Gates’ opponent for president, Erika Meza, a 25-year veteran teacher from the Southeast Side, is unhappy with what CTU has come to symbolize.

“There’s a lack of solidarity right now. We want to bring that back,” Meza said in an interview with the Tribune. “We need to make this a decision for the whole union.”

This election is about more than the two parties within the union. It’s about CTU’s priorities and values at a time when polling shows its popularity across the city has declined. And questions about representation and race have emerged as a subtext…

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