Download Press Release Here

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, October 31, 2022

Thank you to all who testified last Tuesday on teacher turnover! Now, more than ever we need you to – “Use Your Outside Voices” – to ensure the Council hears our demands!

Although we couldn’t capture everyone’s testimony, we captured more than 30 testimonies which are available WTU’s YouTube channel. I encourage you to watch my testimony where I discuss the results of a poll the WTU conducted on teacher retention where we report that more than 79% of teachers are not satisfied with current workplace conditions and 69% say they are more likely to leave in the next three years.

If you haven’t already, I encourage you to SIGN our petition to Mayor Bowser. Please share the petition, ask your family and friends! We plan to deliver this petition BEFORE the November Election and hope to have thousands of signatures. In addition, we hope you’ll call, email and tweet to the Mayor, demanding that she return to the bargaining table. And, of course, we hope you’ll join us at upcoming Contract Events.

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers' Union

Teachers Deserve a Fair Contract

Thanks to all members who participated in the contract rally at the Anacostia Metro. Your presence and voice at these rallies matter! We hope that you can join us in upcoming contract campaign events.

Contract Campaign action –

1. Nov 3^rd – Rally 4 pm at DCPS Central Office. 1200 1^st Street, NE - https://mobilize.us/s/1aV3Tc
2. Nov 17^th – Day of Action - https://mobilize.us/s/Ht5jWD
3. Town Hall – TBD

TELL THE MAYOR … Why we need a fair contract now

Sign and share our petition. 

Contact your Building Rep or Field Representative for more information about on-going contract negotiations. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ANY ACTIVITY YOU PARTICIPATE IN TAKES PLACE OUTSIDE YOUR TOUR OF DUTY. DCPS is watching!

An apple can’t pay the rent 

Between Covid and culture war bullshit, America’s teachers are burned out—but DC Public School teachers rallied at the Anacostia Metro stop to change that. DCPS teachers haven’t had a contract for three years, and many feel underpaid and overworked—and some haven’t been receiving their paychecks at all—in the midst of a teacher shortage that’s really not a shortage at all.

While teachers wait on Mayor Bowser’s response, they’ve got a petition residents can sign to help get a fair contract.

WTU in the news

• District tries to find ways to retain teachers, as teachers’ union waits for new contract to be finalized
• DC teacher’s union holds rally asking for new contract | DC News Now
• 'Time to end arbitration': DC teachers union holds rally for new contract (msn.com)
• Survey shows low morale, frustration among D.C. teachers - The Washington Post
• https://www.telemundowashingtondc.com/noticias/local/maestros-del-distito-piden-mejoras-salariales/2158550/
• Allyson Criner Brown and Emily Roderer: What DCPS schools need to help students thrive — and to attract and keep teachers – TheDCLine.org
• School Librarians Fight the Clock on 'Students' Right to Read Amendment Act' - The Washington Informer

2022 National Association of State Boards of Education, "Policy Leader of the Year Award."

Ms. K.C. Boyd recently received the 2022 Policy Leader of the Year Award from the National Association of State Boards of Education in Phoenix, Arizona.  This award highlights the contributions individuals make to policy changes in U.S. education. Nominated by the DC State Board of Education, Boyd is the first school librarian in the country to receive this award.

Boyd is pictured with members of the DC State Board of Education and Alexander Sullivan, former DCPS student and the first recipient of the Student Board Member Award. Read more here.

CONTRACT CORNER

Article 23.3 in our CBA states you MUST sign in and out every day. The timesheet is what the timekeeper uses to input the hours you worked.

23.3 Signing In and Out

23.3.1 Teachers shall, immediately upon their arrival, record in the main office of their school the time of their arrival, and shall report to their classroom or place duty at least thirty-five (35) minutes prior to the start of the official school day for students.

23.3.2 Teachers shall record in the main office of their School the time of their departure at the end of the school day.

23.3.3 Itinerant Teachers shall record the time of their arrival and departure in the main office of each of their assigned Schools.

23.3.4 Teachers shall not be required to use time clocks.
 

Vote

Early voting has started. Please support for the WTU endorsed candidates.

City Council:

• At-Large: Elissa Silverman
• At-Large: Karim Marshall
• Ward 1: Brianne Nadeau
• Ward 3: Matthew Frumin
• Ward 5: Zachary Parker
• Ward 6: Charles Allen

DC State Board of Education: 

• Ward 1: Ben Williams  
• Ward 3: Michael Sriqui 
• Ward 5: Robert Henderson 
• Ward 6: Joshua Wiley  

Read more here. And watch for opportunities to help Get Out The Vote for WTU endorsed candidates!

AM Brew News and Notices will be archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.

Fox News reported on the missing pay issues affecting DCPS teachers. Dozens of teachers are missing thousands of dollars, some since the summertime. Paychecks are coming up short as much as $1000 a month. WTU's President Jacqueline Pogue-Lyons emphasized how when things like this happen, teachers feel disrespected. Given the lack of a contract in three years, it is hard to expect teachers to be patient with these issues. 

Watch the full story here!

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) President Jacqueline Lyons said that she is worried that DCPS isn’t keeping enough teachers in their classrooms.

“We’ve done our own research… of the 629 that we surveyed, 69 percent said that they’ve considered leaving,” Lyons said. “I was a teacher in Ward 8 for many years, they just don’t feel like they get the support they need.” 

(Watch Channel 7 News story here.)

WASHINGTON (7News) — DC Teachers' Union President Jacqueline Pogue Lyons says the school system loses between 1/4 and 1/3 of teachers every year.

She tells me a recent union survey shows most DC teachers are not happy with their jobs.

"Everyone says they love the teachers, they appreciate their work, but when it comes time to show it, they feel like it's just words and not actions," she said.

Among the survey findings: most DCPS teachers are not satisfied with current conditions.

More than half believe DCPS has not treated teachers with respect, negotiated honestly, or made fair contract offers.

On Tuesday, October 25th, the Washington Post aired the results of a WTU survey of more than 600 teachers. Nearly half said they will likely leave their jobs in the next few years. Four out of five are unhappy in their jobs. As frustrations about the contract or lack thereof rise, teachers cite lack of a raise, rising inflation, increased workloads and teacher turnover as their main concerns. 

“Teachers’ dissatisfaction with their working conditions affects children’s learning conditions,” said Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, the union’s president, in a statement. “Teachers are stressed, overwhelmed and upset that they don’t get the support and compensation they need to do their jobs as well as they’d like to. As a result, more and more folks are leaving these jobs, and we have more vacancies than we can fill.”

The survey, which was conducted between Sept. 21-26 paints a grim picture of the city’s public school workforce. Teachers expressed concerns over a lack of support from principals, insufficient planning time and class sizes.

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, October 24, 2022

Teachers Deserve a Fair Contract

ICYMI:

In August, the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) determined that the WTU and DCPS were at impasse in contract negotiations and referred the case to mediation. I am disappointed to inform you that mediation with DCPS was not successful. We will now move to interest arbitration. 

Although this is disheartening news, we will continue to press forward. The WTU will never compromise your interests or those of the students we serve. Teachers deserve a fair contract that will protect your rights and ensure you receive fair wages and benefits as inflation and the costs of living in our nation’s capital continue to rise.

I hope you will continue to stand with the WTU as we demand a Fair Contract. Please watch for updates on upcoming contract events in the weekly Morning Brew.

We will continue to keep you informed. If you have any questions, please reach to your Field Representatives.

Upcoming Events…

Rally at Anacostia Metro on Thursday Oct 27, 7 am.

If you are not able to attend the rally, please wear red as a sign of solidarity, take pictures, and tweet them or send to your Field Rep.

TELL THE MAYOR … Why we need a fair contract now

Sign and share our petition. 

Contact your Building Rep or Field Representative for more information.

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ANY ACTIVITY YOU PARTICIPATE IN TAKES PLACE OUTSIDE YOUR TOUR OF DUTY. DCPS is watching!

Members in the news …

Librarians want a permanent spot in DC Public Schools

Tell the Council to move forward the “Student Right to Read Amendment Act of 2021.”

Tweet to @ChmnMendelson asking him to hold a vote on the legislation.

Sign their petition: https://www.saveschoollibrarians.org/dcschoollibrarian

Council Hearing on Teacher Turnover

The DC Council wants to hear your Teacher Voice! – October 25 at 1PM

We hope that we’ll see many of you speaking to the Council tomorrow. But, if you can’t make it (we know you’re all teaching), we hope you’ll at least consider tweeting to @ChmnMendelson letting him know that Teachers need a #FairContract and that the Council must take action to improve working conditions and pay for DC educators!

Are you a WTU Member?

Check your pay stub on Peoplesoft to see if you are a member of the WTU.

Member benefits

include access to 1000s of lesson plans at Share My Lesson

AFT Student Debt clinics

Deadline to apply for student loan forgiveness is October 31^st

AFT will continue to host a student debt clinic webinar Thursday evenings. Register at https://cvent.me/17XZka Webinar will include information about how to enroll in the free AFT Summer student loan member benefit. Additional information can be found at www.forgivemystudentdebt.org – this website contains all of the information on how to access PSLF in an easily digestible and understandable format.

STUDENT DEBT CLINIC RESOURCE GUIDE

After attending a Student Debt Clinic, we want to make sure you’ve got all the tools and information you need to take the next steps to start reducing how much you pay every month and get on a path towards a debt-free future! See attached for more information.

Pay

Please contact your field rep if you are having any problems getting paid.

#Vote

Early voting has started. Please support for the WTU endorsed candidates.

City Council

• At-Large: Elissa Silverman
• At-Large: Karim Marshall
• Ward 1: Brianne Nadeau
• Ward 3: Matthew Frumin
• Ward 5: Zachary Parker
• Ward 6: Charles Allen

DC State Board of Education 

• Ward 1: Ben Williams  
• Ward 3: Michael Sriqui 
• Ward 5: Robert Henderson 
• Ward 6: Joshua Wiley  

Read more here. And watch for opportunities to help Get Out The Vote for WTU endorsed candidates!

#RedforEd

Please wear red each Friday and post photos to social media. Please tag us @WTUTeacher

AM Brew News and Notices will be archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.

How we can build safe spaces in our classrooms to help our scholars be more expressive and feel welcomed? Join us this coming Saturday, October 22 to learn from each other as we chat about strategies, we can utilize in our classes for the 2022-2023 school year! Register online here!

Here's What's Brewing Today

Tuesday, October 17, 2022

Teachers Deserve a Fair Contract

Many thanks to the teachers, parents and public who came out to support our need for a new Teachers Contract at the Teachers Voice Festival on Saturday. We hope you have a moment to view this short clip from our supporters!

And check out this great coverage of teachers advocating for a new contract as well:

• WTU's March for DC Teachers Contract!
• DC Deal MS Walkout
• ‘It's Difficult': DC Teachers Rally to Mark 3 Years Without Contract, Pay Raise

Save the Date:

• Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 7:00 am - March for the Washington D.C. Teachers Contract at the Anacostia Metro Station

TELL THE MAYOR … Why we need a fair contract now

Sign and share our petition. 

Contact your Building Rep or Field Representative for more information. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ANY ACTIVITY YOU PARTICIPATE IN TAKES PLACE OUTSIDE YOUR TOUR OF DUTY. DCPS is watching!

Student Debt Clinic

Debt clinic at Ballou High School on October 20^th – Click here for more details and to register!

Virtual Student Debt Clinic

AFT will continue to host a student debt clinic webinar Thursday evenings. Register at https://cvent.me/17XZka Webinar will include information about how to enroll in the free AFT Summer student loan member benefit. Additional information can be found at www.forgivemystudentdebt.org – this website contains all of the information on how to access PSLF in an easily digestible and understandable format.

STUDENT DEBT CLINIC RESOURCE GUIDE

After attending a Student Debt Clinic, we want to make sure you’ve got all the tools and information you need to take the next steps to start reducing how much you pay every month and get on a path towards a debt-free future! See attached for more information.

#RedforEd

Please wear red each Friday and post photos to social media. Please tag us @WTUTeacher

Member Emails

The AM Brew is distributed as a benefit to members of the WTU. In the coming weeks, we’ll be updating our database removing non-members from the distribution for the AM Brew, as well as other important Member –Only emails.

To ensure that you’re not inadvertently removed from the distribution list, please update your member information by clicking here.

AM Brew News and Notices will be archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.

Here's What's Brewing Today

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Representative Assembly Meeting – Tuesday, Oct 11 at 4:30PM

All members are invited to attend the representative assembly meetings. However, only building reps and delegates may participate and vote at the meetings.

Join via zoom.

Passcode: 864128

Teachers Deserve a Fair Contract

Upcoming Events:

Oct 11, 7 am at Tenleytown Metro – See flyer

Oct 15, 10:30-2pm – Teacher Voice Festival at the African-American Civil War Memorial (U St Metro)
WTU will have a table and campaign flyers at the African American Civil War Memorial Plaza. Register to volunteer

TELL THE MAYOR … Why we need a fair contract now.

Sign and share our petition. 

Contact your Building Rep or Field Representative for more information. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ANY ACTIVITY YOU PARTICIPATE IN TAKES PLACE OUTSIDE YOUR TOUR OF DUTY. DCPS is watching!

WTU in the news

• WUSA - 'I feel like this should be an emergency' | DC school teacher frustrated by broken HVAC systems, lights
• Maestros de DC denuncian retraso de un mes en el pago de salarios
• Can DCPS Change its Toxic Work Environment?
  
  

Student Debt Clinic

Debt clinic at Ballou High School on October 20^th – Click here for more details and to register!

Virtual Student Debt Clinic

AFT will continue to host a student debt clinic webinar Thursday evenings. Register at https://cvent.me/17XZka Webinar will include information about how to enroll in the free AFT Summer student loan member benefit. Additional information can be found at www.forgivemystudentdebt.org – this website contains all of the information on how to access PSLF in an easily digestible and understandable format.

STUDENT DEBT CLINIC RESOURCE GUIDE

After attending a Student Debt Clinic, we want to make sure you’ve got all the tools and information you need to take the next steps to start reducing how much you pay every month and get on a path towards a debt-free future! See attached for more information.

Congressional Black Caucus’ 51^st Annual Legislative Conference (ALC)

As part of AFT’s Professional Development series, the WTU team participated in conversations on critical issues currently facing our community and how we can collectively advance the Black agenda. We watched the documentary currently airing on Netflix entitled “The Who We Are Project,” which challenges the dominant narrative of our nation’s founding, demonstrating how slavery’s legacy has led to persistent and abiding racial inequality. The attached documentary overview offered all who attended the opportunity to process what we had watched privately and make meaning from it.

Following the film, the AFT hosted a panel discussion featuring Michael Smith, CEO of AmeriCorps; Kean College President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. and Lezli Baskervielle, J.D., president of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education to discuss building a pipeline to boost the number of Black teachers across the country.

Click here for a short video, capturing the highlights of what was discussed. Captions to the video were added for the hearing-impaired. Alternatively, a transcript is available for reading here.

#RedforEd

Please wear red each Friday and post photos to social media. Please tag us @WTUTeacher

Welcome to the 2022-2023 School Year. 

The AM Brew is distributed as a benefit to members of the WTU. In the coming weeks, we’ll be updating our database removing non-members from the distribution for the AM Brew, as well as other important Member –Only emails.

To ensure that you’re not inadvertently removed from the distribution list, please update your member information by clicking here.

AM Brew News and Notices will be archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.