You are appreciated. As we enter the holiday season I thank you for the work you do every working day and wish the very best for you and your family. I sincerely appreciate the honor of serving as president of the American Federation of Teachers St. Louis, Local 420, AFLCIO. We are a union of professionals nationwide with 1.8 million members and nearly 2,000 members in the St. Louis Public Schools. There is strength in numbers and our unity. Thank you for serving our students and for being a member.
Facts matter: you can rely on building stewards and union leadership for reliable information. If you have a question contact your union. The St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) have taken significant and historic steps to support its educators. Teachers and staff represented by the American Federation of Teachers , St. Louis, Local 420, AFLCIO and the district are working under an agreement that has resulted in the largest pay increase for employees in nearly two decades. Our teaching staff has moved from some of the lowest paid to some of the highest paid in the state of Missouri under our leadership. Teachers starting salary rose from approximately $40,000 and some change in 2021 to over $49,000 today. Over the next 2.5 years their salaries will rise to over $54,000. Local 420 still has much work to do when it comes to raising the salaries of our counselors, social workers, and teaching assistants. Safety offices saw raises from under $15 per hour to over $20 today. Trades employees saw significant raises. All negotiated and agreed to policies between the District and your union are intact. “Every dollar” agreed to is going to be paid.
The previous Superintendent was suspended pending investigation of allegations regarding spending and hiring policy irregularities and terminated as a result of that investigation. Our union leadership continues to support all investigations, audits, and a timely resolution of these matters. It is my understanding that the FBI, US Attorney, and Circuit Attorney are investigating and criminal charges may be forthcoming due to federal funds being involved . It would be totally irisresponsible for Local 420 as and organization to comment and possibly interfer with these investigations. The actions of a “rogue” employee should not impact day-to-day operations of the district and does not impact any agreements between our union and management.
The district continues to hold a nearly $200 million overall budget surplus – a ‘rainy day’ fund well beyond the 3% required by the state. Our union continues to support a democratically elected school board – this is the first time in decades that there are NO politically appointed members of the Board of Education.
Union Pride Although I am justifiably proud to serve you I could not do my job without being surrounded by our outstanding union staff who are truly devoted to serving and defending the rights of the members we represent. I thank them! Our building stewards and executive board who function as our union's backbone – I am thankful for them as well! Thank you for being a member! Be confident in the strength of your union – we are better together. We will do our best to work together for the collective good of our members, children, parents, caregivers and our community.
St. Louis Public Schools opened in 1838 and our union was organized and founded in 1935. We have gotten through inclement weather, pandemics, health and safety issues and still provided a quality education for the children of the city of St. Louis We will continue to do our job – for the good of our families, their children and the community.
May You and your Family have a Blessed & Safe Holiday!
In Solidarity,
Ray
Ray Cummings President AFT St. Louis, Local 420, AFLCIO