Negotiations Update

September 28, 2012

During the final few weeks of Summer Quarter we prepared a comprehensive proposal, which we presented to the Administration on August 20th.  They also presented us with a comprehensive proposal.  Ours consisted of proposals we had presented earlier which the administration had been unwilling to discuss, as well as counters to proposals they had presented.  They, on the other hand, had dropped a number of their original proposals (even some we offered counters to), maintained some and offered counters to some of ours. 

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Candidates: Where I stand on education

When voters go to the polls on Nov. 6, they'll choose from among presidential candidates who have very different views on the major issues affecting America, including education. With the election rapidly approaching, eSchool News has pulled together a summary of what each of the two major party candidates - - President Barack Obama for the Democratic Party, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for the Republican Party - - have said about their plans for K-12 education.

Read more on eSchool News.

JPSB rolls forward millage rates

Sept. 27, 2012 -- The Jefferson Parish School Board voted at a special meeting yesterday to “roll forward” millage rates on three taxes, allowing the district to collect a little more than $1 million more in property taxes due to increased property tax assessments.

The vote was 6-3.

Click headline to read full story.

 

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President's Letter

Welcome to UCATS, Local 3882! Since 1979, UCATS has been improving the rights, wages and benefits of the clerical and technical staff at NYU. These rights include:

-the right to earn a living wage
-the right to affordable health care and a pension
-the right to a safe, respectful and non-discriminatory workplace
-the right to job security, representation and due process

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Equal Pay Should Be A Priority

A Message from the MCEA President

Recently, and for the second time in two years, Republicans in the Senate united against a measure that would have made it easier for women to receive equal pay for equal work.

President Barack Obama urged the Senate to pass this measure, saying,

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Sally Doulton Speaks at NBC's Education Nation

Act 10 Challenges

 There are 3 lawsuits regarding Act 10 which gutted collective bargaining rights for most public employees.  Below is a summary which is partially based on a Sept. 17, 2012 article in the Wisconsin State Journal.

1.  Seven public unions, including AFT-W, AFSCME and WEAC vs. Walker – Judge Conley

- Filed in federal court in June 2011
- Organizations that filed the lawsuit include councils of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, the American Federation of Teachers, the Wisconsin Education Association Council, and the Service Employees International Union-Health Care Wisconsin. 
- Alleged violation of constitution’s equal protection clause by exempting firefighters and police officers.
- U.S. District Judge William Conley overturned parts of ACT 10 including the requirement for some unions to hold certification elections every year and the prohibition against paycheck dues deduction. 
- Both sides appealed decision
- The Walker administration asked for a stay until appeal decided, which was partially granted. No future recertification elections can be required but unions that didn’t seek recertification remain unrecognized. 
- Oral arguments before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals held Sept. 24, 2012.  
2.  Madison Teachers Inc. and Public Employees Local 61 vs. Walker – Judge Colas
- Filed in Dane County Circuit Court, Aug. 2011
- Argued Act 10 unconstitutional because it capped union workers’ raises but not those of their nonunion counterparts. 
- Judge Juan Colas ruled in favor of the unions on Sept. 14, 2012.   
- Applies to municipal workers, not state workers.
- Walker administration appealed and asked for a stay.
- Judge Colas still considering whether to stay.
3.  AFL-CIO and AFSCME vs. Walker
- Filed in federal court in July 2011
- Alleges Act 10 violated that constitutional rights to freely assemble, free speech and equal protection of about 240 City of Madison workers and 2,440 Dane county workers/
- Alleges Act 10 violates right of equal protection because restrictions don’t apply to some public safety workers’ unions. 
- Walker administration filed a motion to dismiss. Awaiting a decision. 
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AFT-Maryland partners with GOTV Coalition

AFT-Maryland is proud to be one of the Partners in the Maryland Voter Registration & Get Out The Vote Coalition. Other partners include AFT, AFSCME Maryland, Baltimore Teachers Union, MD/DC AFL-CIO, NAACP Baltimore & Maryland, and many more.

Volunteers have been canvassing local businesses and communities in an effort to raise election awareness and to register voters for the upcoming election.

Tomorrow is National Voter Registration Day, and our volunteers will be out there again, doing great work!

For info:

MD Voter Registration & GOTV Coalition | Ph: 410.269.1940 | marylandregisterandvote@gmail.com

 

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