Organizing Opportunities

As the BFP negotiations team continues to work toward a settlement of the 2019-21 contract, there are times when we need they need help.  It is time for members to lend that help.  The BFP is planning two organizing activities for May.

FCTA Member MEGAN COMERFORD Running for Hamburg Town Council

Support FCTA member Meg Comerford in her bid to the Hamburg Town Council!

Endorsed by both the FCTA and the Buffalo Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, Meg will bring a much-needed perspective to the Council.

Check out http://www.votemeg.com to get a lawn sign, make a donation, or sign up to volunteer! 

Remember: Early Voting starts June 12 at the Moose Lodge on Church St. in the Village!

Let's help get the word out!

AFT-NH Legislative Bulletin, 2021-18

May 2, 2021 ~ Bow, NH

This is a very short bulletin for the upcoming week.  The most important action is the public hearing on the State budget, to be held by the Senate Finance Committee this coming Tuesday, May 4. There are actually two hearings, starting at 1 pm and again at 6 pm, though this is largely a ploy to allow time for senators to take a break and grab some dinner.

Why is this important?  It is the only opportunity for the public to weigh in on possible additions and deletions to the State budget.  After this, much of the work will be done behind closed doors amongst Senators, the governor, and House Republican leadership, with a budget to be voted upon by the Senate at the start of June and sent back to the House for either acceptance, rejection, or a Committee of Conference to try to iron out differences between House and Senate versions.

What can you do?  Register your opposition to the bills in question (HB1 or HB2, does not really matter) but even better sign up to write to members of the Senate Finance Committee.    Write to the senators--make your voice heard!!  Links for registering opposition and for writing to senators are below. What follows are the primary points of concern to AFT-NH, but we have additional useful material that can be made available to you.

Election Results

On Friday, April 30th, the JFT Election Committee tallied the ballots in the JFT Election of Officers. Here are the winners:
 
PRESIDENT: Kesler Camese-Jones
 
VICE-PRESIDENT: Sandra Hauer
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VICE-PRESIDENT: Allen "Coach" Collins
MIDDLE/JUNIOR HIGH VICE PRESIDENT: Chad Comeaux
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL VICE-PRESIDENT: Rosamund Looney
RECORDING SECRETARY: Wanda Sargent
SECRETARY TREASURER: Erin Lyons
PARLIAMENTARIAN: Benjamin Lewis

Week 3 in the Legislature

The MFP is Sent Back to BESE
On Thursday, the Senate Education Committee considered SCR 2, which is the legislative vehicle for the MFP – the school funding formula. The Committee decided to return the MFP to the Board of Elementary and ask that they increase the teacher/school employee pay raise. The recommendation they submitted to BESE, calls for a $1,000 increase for teachers/certified personnel and $500 for uncertified personnel.

HB 256 by Rep. Tarver APPROVED by the House Education Committee
If passed, this legislation would allow predatory organizations to recruit members and extract dues from school personnel, even when there is a union with collective bargaining & exclusivity. This means that the alternate and potentially exploitative organizations could make promises to “represent” and “advocate” for members, but wouldn’t actually be able to make good on those promises – leaving unsuspecting teachers and support staff left in the lurch. 

Welcome To The New BFP Website

In our ever increasing attempt to create platforms to communicate with our members, the Bloomington Federation of Paraprofessionals is establishing a website.  In the coming days and weeks content will be added in the areas of negotiations, membership, organizing efforts to name a few.  

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