Paychecks:

• Congratulations everyone, we made an agreement with the State in 2017 which "backloaded" our current contract with consecutive 3.5% General Wage Increases and I am happy to report that we have now received both of those 3.5% GWIs.  The most recent GWI was effective on 6/19/2020 and will appear in your 7/16/2020 paycheck.  Step Increases and TopStepPayments will be made in January 2021.
• Also, many people will start to see the end of their 3% contribution to the Retiree Healthcare Trust Fund (also referred to as OPEB or RHTF).  Those who were hired between 7/1/2005 and 7/1/2009 began making contributions on 7/1/2010 (roughly, not exactly on that date).  This means the 10 years of contributions has expired (roughly) and the 3% payments will cease in this timeframe.  Those hired prior to 7/1/2005 did not start making payments until 7/1/2013 (roughly), so there are still 3 years (roughly) of payments remaining for this cohort.

HEP Compliance Requirements:

• HEP compliance requirements for 2020 have been suspended but not necessarily indefinitely. 
• Compliance requirements may be modified in the future
• We will provide updates as they develop

Health Insurance Changes:

• The Healthcare Open Enrollment period has been delayed to September, 2020 and the transition of all employees to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is delayed to October 1, 2020
• The delayed transition means that all employees, retirees and dependents will remain in the plan and with the carrier that they currently have -  with no changes - until October 1, 2020.  There will also be no change to medical/prescription or dental rates until that time.  Any open enrollment events previously scheduled for in person or online will be rescheduled.
• Increased annual costs to the plans (if any - plan costs fluctuate year-to-year) will be borne over 9 months (rather than 12) starting October 1^st.
• The transition from UnitedHealthcare to Anthem BC/BS will include a new, "less expensive" plan to choose from as well.  More details on the new plan are forthcoming.

Accretions

• For those titles accreted into A&R after May, 2019 (DOI, DOB, DOL, DOT) we are continuing the negotiations process. Clearly the COVID crisis halted normal routines, but we are now back to negotiating with the State.

Kronos:

• Although we are still pushing against Kronos, DCF has decided to forge forward with this expensive (and silly and unnecessary) time-tracking system.    Right now, only 4 agencies (DCF, DESPP, DVA, DOC) are planning to deploy this system.  DCF will launch on 7/17 while the other 3 agencies will deploy in October/November.  We are still working to limit the impact of Kronos to the membership and the SEBAC unions have sent a Cease and Desist demand to the State.  We will keep everyone informed of developments.

Mandatory COVID 19 Testing:

In the interests of safety, the state is implementing a limited mandatory COVID-19 testing program.  The initial focus is on agencies with direct care/custody responsibilities.  In a nutshell, testing can be required.  If an employee tests positive, they shall be placed on mandatory paid leave for 14 days.  An employee refusing testing shall be immediately placed on unpaid leave.
Click this link to see the two page detailed workplace agreement.

Joint Labor Management Principles Regarding COVID-19 Return to the Workplace

Agencies are slowly starting to bring employees back into the offices.  We recognize that the mission of our employer, to serve the needs of the citizens of Connecticut, must go on.  As employees, we insist that the employer provides us with a safe work environment.  Via SEBAC, the state worked with labor to develop principles regarding COVID-19 and returning to the workplace.  Foremost is the principle of Safety First.  It is the first principle listed.  The second principle listed is Telecommuting First (there are 18 items listed).  Agency staffing needs should preferably be met through volunteerism.  If staffing needs cannot be met by volunteerism, seniority shall be a controlling factor, should that become necessary.   The document also addresses social distancing guidelines, personal protective equipment, office suitability, and a variety of other topics related to workplace safety.  Remember this: Safety Firs!.  Telework First!
Click this link to see the two page Labor/Management Principles Regarding COVID-19 Return to the Workplace.   

Sisters and Brothers:

I sincerely hope that all is well with you and your family during this challenging COVID-19 crisis that has gripped metro Detroit, the state of Michigan, our nation, and the world.

The recent uptick in coronavirus cases in Michigan over the last week is concerning. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said last Thursday that, “We can’t let our guard down and play fast and loose with the rules,” referring to her prior directives that state residents wear protective face covering in public establishments.  

 August 18th is Primary Day in Florida. We ask you to consider voting for Candidates & Constitutional Amendment Positions endorsed by the Florida AFL-CIO.

English Version: http://ut.aft.org/sites/default/files/article_pdf_files/2020-07/covid19_reopen-america-schools.pdf

Spanish Version: http://ut.aft.org/sites/default/files/article_pdf_files/2020-07/covid19_reopen-america-schools_spanish.pdf

Dear Union Members and Allies,

I am reaching out in a time of urgent need. The current window is closing for the time to create a back-to-school plan for this fall and current plans do not include adequate provisions for student, teacher, and community safety. I need your help to impress upon our leaders that we need a fall re-opening plan that meet everyone’s needs.

At AFT, we have provided the state with our suggestions for a safe school re-opening. I have included this document for you to review. We are actively working with local and state leaders to modify plans and procedures according to concrete evidence from health professionals and the latest research. We want to return to school to teach our students, and we want to do so in a scenario that is safe, sustainable, and responsive to changing conditions.

I welcome your concerns, suggestions, and help as we work together to make this happen. Please contact me directly with your feedback. I am including links that you can follow to locate and contact your local leaders to voice your opinions. They need to hear your perspective, your concerns, and suggestions. No one has the unique perspective that you have, and we need others to understand the scene of education as we see it. Your voice deserves to be heard.

Visit the link below to find your local representative. Click on the My Legislators tab, and enter your address. Click on the image of the representative and you will then see the contact information for elected officials in your area. Write a short description of your concerns and suggestions and send it off to them. Continue the conversation and express your concerns to the fullest!

https://le.utah.gov/

In solidarity, 

Ani Ostendorff

AFT Vice President K12 Licensed Employees

AFT Utah

aniostendorff@gmail.com

336-202-1848

The Texas Education Agency released it's recommendations for how school districts can reopen, but many parents and teachers are asking if its safe.

Click here , Aldine AFT member, Stacey Pugh, and President Candis Houston's response.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been like nothing we have ever experienced, however, from the beginning of the school and higher education closures in March, dedicated public educators have been going above and beyond in service to our students, our communities, and our families.

Schools aren’t just where students take tests and get homework, they’re where they interact, learn life lessons, and develop the social and emotional skills that take them into adulthood. 

They’re also where millions of kids get meals, after-school care, and other important support – all provided by the dedicated educators who share our communities.

New Mexico educators did their best during this Spring’s remote learning, truly “building the plane while flying it,” but still, our students experienced a huge loss of learning, and New Mexico’s lack of digital infrastructure exposed our existing inequities in education.

New Mexico educators want to reopen to at least a hybrid model. Most have been impacted by the coronavirus personally, and they teachers can tell you stories of how their students have been affected.

We strongly endorse reopening if basic safety ‘must haves’ are met:

o   Physical distancing of 6 feet,

o   Increased Hand washing,

o   Face coverings and PPE,

o   Improved Ventilation,

o   Ongoing Labor/Management collaboration.

All this cannot be done on the cheap – these are the investments we mean when we talk about spending more money on education and in our communities, and less money on policing and militarization. This is the stuff that will actually be make or break for our kids.

o   Our national analysis costs out an additional $116.5 billion for instructional staff, distance learning, before- and after-school care, transportation, personal protective equipment, cleaning and health supplies, health staffing, custodial and cleaning staff, meeting children’s social and emotional needs and additional academic support for students.

o   The average school will need to see an extra $1.2 million, or $2,300 per student, to open its doors.

o   This is separate and apart from the $175 billion that all school districts need to retain their educators at a time when state and local revenues are cratering.  

o   We need federal money for this QUICKLY so that high-need districts can do their infrastructure improvements now, if we have any chance of safely reopening in the fall. 

Add your name TODAY (BY CLICKING HERE) to show you stand with New Mexico’s public educators and call on New Mexico’s school districts and higher education institutions to prioritize student and educator safety as mandatory before we re-enter the academic year. 

Disclaimer

By signing this petition, you are allowing AFT New Mexico to contact you regarding this or future public education campaigns.

Welcome to the Local's website. This site was last updated by Vice President Greg Bem in July 2020.

As of the 2019-2020 academic year, all union membership forms are filled out and signed electronically. Faculty should work with their Dean's administrative assistant to have the membership form set up. The membership form has been included here to preview: Membership Form.

To play the game:  follow this link to the registration page (this is so we can confirm that ONLY A&R members are eligible to win).  From the registration page you will need to select a "nickname"...this is VERY important that you remember your nickname when the game starts.

The Rules:

1) Register via the link above
2) From a "non-state" device, navigate to www.kahoot.it at 3:30 pm...(the game will be "locked" at 3:45 and the game will begin)
2)  Enter in the passcode listed on the Registration Page (from the link above)
3) Answer the 20 questions
HINT:  the questions are timed, so answering correctly quickly equals more points
4)  A&R will verify the top 3 winners are members and contact them for their prize
5) Enjoy and wait for the next competition to begin!

Please click the link 2020 Summer School LOA to review and download the document.