October 7, 2019 - Governor Desantis Pitches Increase to Teacher Pay -  From a schedule press conference in Jacksonville, the Governor released a plan to raise the minimum teacher salary in the state of Florida to $47,500 – impacting a little more than half of all of teachers in the state. Paired with the introduction of legislation by Sen. Rob Bradley to repeal the flawed Best and Brightest bonus scheme, the governor's announcement could be seen as evidence that the voices of FEA members and public education advocates are actually being heard.

Check out the newest edition of The WBLAE Today.

We know that funding our future is going to require a sustained commitment from elected leaders in Tallahassee. If investment in our public schools is not prioritized during this legislative session, we can expect that Florida will continue to remain in the bottom 10 nationwide in public education funding...and it will be our students who will suffer the continuing impacts of a growing teacher shortage. This January, we need to ensure that all eyes in Tallahassee are on Funding Our Future! Will you commit to joining education advocates from across the state?

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In this issue:

1) Health Benefit Changes

2) Looking at your paycheck

3) Next week's Chapter 78 Action!

and more

City Union of Baltimore will be hosting a workshop, "Ready, Set, Retire!", as part of National Retirement Security Week (Oct. 21-25, 2019).

City Union of Baltimore announces their Annual Holiday Celebration, to be held Friday, December 6, 2019, 8:00 p.m. to midnight, at The Champagne Room, 2701 W Patapsco Avenue, Baltimore MD 21230. Member tickets are $25.00 + 5 non-expired nonperishable items.

AFT-Maryland’s presence in the community knows no limits or bounds. It makes sense then, that when SEIU 32BJ and Maryland Secure Wages Coalition held a Worker Appreciation Cookout in Baltimore, the state federation was there in solidarity and unity with our labor sisters and brothers.

The Baltimore Teachers Union  Retiree Chapter (BTU 340R) recently had newly elected executive board members sworn in to office. These officers represent the retirees’ interests in a number of different capacities.

10 Questions to ask about the Governor’s Teacher Salary Proposal

For the past several months, FEA, our locals and our members have been bombarding media and elected officials with information about Florida’s national ranking in average teacher salary and that nearly 50,000 Educational Staff Professionals earn a poverty wage.

Clearly at least ONE politician is paying attention.