Chicago’s teachers have given labor a much-needed lesson in organizing for the twenty-first century, as it did in 2012. Building on the energy of “red state” teacher walkouts and in a union transformed and led by reformers in the Caucus of Rank and File Educators (CORE), the CTU has created a new milestone for the movement. Much has been written about the strike, which ended last month. But three of the many achievements of this strike deserve attention they’ve not yet received: two about education, one about labor more generally.

First, Chicago’s teachers have won dozens of contract provisions critical to re-professionalizing teachers’ work, like rules to make the teacher evaluation process fair, pushing back on its frequent abuse by administrators who use the process to intimidate rather than support teachers. Details count in how and when teachers are observed, and a strong contract makes sure teachers have an opportunity to answer “gotcha” reviews by administrators.

This right has been strengthened by requiring administrators to schedule post-evaluation conferences at times that are conducive for both parties to make the conversation worthwhile. As corporate control over public education has increased, teachers have become increasingly subject to managerial despotism. With this contract, the movement to defend teaching as a profession has shifted to the offense.