Para Conference Registration still open! REgister today!
Its not too late to sign up….
The link is below for the National PSRP conference, if anyone is interested in signing up.
Quick Guide: AFT Member Benefits
As the old saying goes, there is power in the union. When we band together, we can accomplish much more than what we can do on our own--a truth that holds in the workplace, and in the marketplace. Part of being an AFT member is having access to a wide and growing variety of benefits. Whether you're a new member or you're just looking for a refresher on your benefits, this quick guide is here to help. Take a scroll through the categories below for an overview.
PFT President Jerry Jordan Testifies at Council Meeting on School District Recovery Plan
The School District of Philadelphia is poised to receive more than $1 Billion dollars in funding from the American Rescue Plan, a sorely needed investment that is part of a $1.9 Trillion dollar rescue plan to help our nation grapple with the devastation wrought by this unprecedented pandemic.
Read Jerry's remarks:
JFT Update: March 30, 2021
Know your Contract!
Article VIII of the Collective Bargaining Agreement states: “Teachers shall be reimbursed $100.00 per semester for teaching materials/registration fees for pre-approved conferences/workshops, including sales tax. A teacher who does not expend his allocation or any part thereof for the 1st semester shall be permitted to spend it during the 2nd semester. Reimbursement shall occur promptly but no later than 20 workdays following submission, provided...
Flu Shot Settled, for Now
MARCH 2021 — Days ahead of the extended deadline to comply with UConn Health's new mandatory flu vaccine policy, UHP reaches a settlement agreement.
The March Newsletter
PAY RAISES
On March 10th the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) passed their proposal for the minimum foundation program (MFP) – the funding formula for Louisiana’s K-12 schools.
During the meeting, the Board decided to heed the recommendation from the MFP task force: passing a proposal that calls for an $80 million dollar increase in the MFP. The task force had decided on a 1.375% increase (or $40 million) put into Level 1 of the MFP for general classroom funding and another 1.375% increase, put into level 3, for raises. That comes out to $400 increase for teachers and $200 for school employees, spread out over the entire year - a meager raise. LFT was one of only two organizations in the state to oppose this proposal, and has consistently pushed for a larger pay increase.
In an unprecedented turn of events, the letter that BESE sent to the legislature, which outlines their MFP proposal, made a slight, but important, deviation from the task forces' recommendation. Instead of putting $40 million into level three where it would necessarily go towards raises and and the supplementary retirement benefits, BESE directed that funding to level 4, which is the portion of the MFP that goes towards supplementary allocations for specific programs such as career training experiences, dual enrollment and enrichment courses, assistance with high cost special education services, and recruitment and employment of international associate teachers.
LFT has consistently called on the BESE and the legislature to match the pay increase seen in 2019: $1,000 increase for teachers and $500 for support personnel, at a minimum. This plan requires a $101 million increase to level 3 of the MFP, which is the portion of the school funding formula that provides for employee salaries.
As the MFP proceeds to the legislature for approval, LFT will continue to work towards a larger raise for teachers and school employees during this
PFT Testifies at PA House Dems Policy Committee: Bridging the Digital Divide
At a time when remote learning continues for the majority of our students, this hearing is a timely and important opportunity to share some of our insight into virtual learning and the challenges our students and educators have faced throughout the pandemic.
Read our remarks:
Fair School Funding
Ohio policymakers must fix the way our state funds public education and ensure every student can attend fully and fairly funded public schools. The Fair Funding Plan will strengthen all our communities, expand opportunities for those who have been excluded, and address the unfair and unconstitutional way our state funds public education.
Petition sponsored by Ohio Organizing Collaborative, Policy Matters Ohio, Ohio Education Association, and Ohio Federation of Teachers.
AFT-NH Legislative Bulletin, 2021-13
March 28, 2021 ~ Bow, NH
The premier event of this past week was the hearing this past Tuesday in the House Labor Committee on SB 61, the so-called “right to work” bill. Over the course of six hours of public testimony, committee members heard from out-of-state lobbyists advocating so-called “right to work” as well as scores of members of the public opposed to this flagrant attack on organized labor and the power of working people to have a voice in the workplace. The goal of “right to work” is simple—weaken labor unions by allowing for freeloaders to benefit from contract provisions but pay nothing towards negotiating or enforcing that very contract. It does not provide for jobs, and it does not prevent unions from requiring employees to join the union BECAUSE IT IS ALREADY ILLEGAL TO REQUIRE UNION MEMBERSHIP TO OBTAIN A JOB!!! Instead, the aim is to weaken organized labor and make it easier for employers to reduce wages and benefits, further widening the income and wealth inequality so prevalent here in NH and in the United States.
Contact Your State Representative and Help Defeat So-Called Right to Work
Senate Bill 61, the so-called Right to Work legislation, was heard before the House Labor Committee last week and was met with resounding public opposition. The Committee will be voting this week on a recommendation but we need to start contacting our own state representatives as they are poised to vote on SB 61 either on April 7th or 8th. W have defeated this bill 39 times before and for the sake of working families, we must be victorious one more time.
Please click the following link to oppose this legislation and let your state representative know you are watching! https://actionnetwork.org/letters/constituent-concern-defeat-right-to-work-sb-61?source=direct_link&
