The AFT Washington executive board is interested in what types of communications are most effective in reaching members. It appears that we are not reaching everyone and often hear that members have not seen certain communications. To this end, the board developed a survey to find out what your preferences are in terms of e-mail, social media, print, etc. We would appreciate it if you would please take a couple of minutes to answer this short on-line survey so we are able to be efficient and effective in our communications to you. Thank you!

Our election efforts have begun to pay off by virtue of an AFT member being confirmed to the State Board of Education. Elaine Bobgrove has been our friend and fellow union activist for decades. She will be a board member who well understands what the state takeover has truly been about and will listen and act on our concerns....read more here

The Area V Advisory Meeting dates for 2018 are as follows:

• Tuesday, March 13, 2018
• Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Both locations are to be determined.

Thank you!

Colleagues,

1)     December Pay Checks: Payroll Reminder! December is a three pay-check month. For full time ten month employees, you will be paid on December 1 (covering 11/20 to 12/01), December 15 (covering 12/04 to 12/15), and December 21

(covering 12/18 to 12/29).  The first paycheck in January will be January 12, 2018.

“A fair and equitable wage means to me that I will be able to afford adequate childcare for my 3-month-old son. It will mean that I can count on my pay to be able to provide all of the necessities needed to take care of my family. It will help me to focus more on my work than worrying whether I will be able to pay the bills this month.”

Superior, WI – In a unanimous vote, a committee of the Douglas County Board of Supervisors voted to forward a resolution calling on UW Regents and Governor Walker to rescind program suspensions and warnings at UW-Superior.  The resolution will be voted on by the entire Douglas County Board on the 21^st.  This resolution comes as students and community members mount increasing pressure on the administration to reverse their October 31^st announcement to suspend 25 programs and put 15 others on warning. 

AFT Healthcare-Maryland convened a member meeting on Saturday, December 2, 2017 in Woodlawn, MD. President Debra Perry gave a state of the union address updating members on a number of topics including growth in membership and updates on contract negotiations.

Gerri Bohanan, AFT-Maryland Higher Education Area Vice President, was honored at the 45th Annual National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) Conference with the Living Legend Award.

The Baltimore Teachers Union participated in the Mayor’s annual holiday parade. President Marietta English was driven in a car by her husband Mr. Raymond English with BTU members and staff walking along the parade route. The annual event down 34th street in Hampden is a tradition that brings the entire city together and heightens anticipation for the winter holiday season.

Teachers say low pay ends careers in Arizona, leaves some at crossroads

By: Katie Campbell December 4, 2017, 4:10 am

Arizona teachers have not been quiet about their reasons for abandoning the profession and even the state: high stress, low morale and low pay. Yet the state’s response has not been enough to end the ongoing crisis, a new report from a Washington D.C.-based think tank concludes.