A Message from WTU’s President

Good morning WTU Family,

Welcome back from what I hope was a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving break! If you didn’t have a chance to RSVP for our holiday party, please take a moment to RSVP here so we may plan appropriately. The party will be held on Friday, December 13 from 4:30PM-8:30PM at Hotel Zena. (Please Note: Change in Date) Remember, the password to log in to WTU’s Members-Only website is WTU4u.

Our tentative WTU/DCPS Contract Bargaining Agreement has been reviewed by the Attorney General and the City Administrator. We are waiting for final review and approval by the City Financial Officer. We are hopeful that it should be completed by mid-week. As always, we will continue to keep you in the loop regarding next steps. 

Teachers are also welcome to offer live or pre-recorded testimony before the DC City Council on Academic Achievement in the District of Columbia. Please click here to register to testify (either in-person or virtually) at 1 PM on Wednesday, December 4. If you need help in preparing your testimony, please reach out to WTU’s organizer Mike Roland, [email protected] for assistance.

I wish you a peaceful week as we prepare to enjoy the upcoming holiday season. I know it is challenging but please remember to take time out for self-care. You deserve it!

Thank you, as always, for your support!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Related Teacher Provider Concerns & WTU’s Response

In earlier communications this week, we heard and responded to related service providers’ concerns about DCPS’ new requirement to register with D.C. Medicaid and complete the ORP Attestation form supplied by DCPS. We believe this request violates our contract as it is imposed without bargaining with the Union. We’ve sent DCPS a list of questions from providers and requested that DCPS collectively bargain with the Union about the requirement. We then filed a grievance and a demand for arbitration, alleging that DCPS’s actions violate the contract.

The arbitration case that WTU filed is currently pending. Unfortunately, it will likely take at least several months for the case to be resolved. In the meantime, we understand that DCPS has threated to discipline providers if they refuse to complete the registration and attestation forms. WTU believes that DCPS’s actions are unacceptable and that if DCPS were to discipline providers for refusing to comply with the requirement it would violate the contract. A disciplined provider could choose to file a grievance regarding such discipline. However, while WTU believes the new requirement is improper, there is a risk that an arbitrator will ultimately disagree with that view and uphold discipline issued to providers for refusing to comply with the requirement. For those reasons, providers should understand that there is a risk that they may be disciplined if you choose not to complete the registration. WTU will continue to take all legal actions available to challenge DCPS’s actions.

A Message from WTU’s President

Good morning WTU Family,

As we head into the holiday season, I want each one of you to know how grateful I am for your hard work, perseverance, and resilience this year. I’m proud to stand among professionals who have approached constant challenges and setbacks with passion and compassion. Step by step, we’ve pulled together to do what it takes to make our voices heard. Thank you for being loud and proud when needed to earn and ratify the contract we deserve. Thank you for showing the power of this Union through your participation in the entire election process this year. I pray you enjoy some rest on Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season. You deserve it!

I hope to see many of you at WTU’s Annual Holiday Party on Friday, December 13^th from 4:30 PM-8:30 PM at Hotel Zena. (Please Note: Change in Date) To help us to plan appropriately, please take a moment to RSVP here. Remember, the password to log in to WTU’s Members-Only website is WTU4u.

In earlier communications this week, we heard and responded to related service providers’ concerns about DCPS’ new requirement to register with D.C. Medicaid and complete the ORP Attestation form supplied by DCPS. We believe this request violates our contract as it is imposed without bargaining with the Union. We’ve sent DCPS a list of questions from providers and requested that DCPS collectively bargain with the Union about the requirement. We then filed a grievance and a demand for arbitration, alleging that DCPS’s actions violate the contract.

The arbitration case that WTU filed is currently pending. Unfortunately, it will likely take at least several months for the case to be resolved. In the meantime, we understand that DCPS has threatened to discipline providers if they refuse to complete the registration and attestation forms. WTU believes that DCPS’s actions are unacceptable and that if DCPS were to discipline providers for refusing to comply with the requirement it would violate the contract. A disciplined provider could choose to file a grievance regarding such discipline. However, while WTU believes the new requirement is improper, there is a risk that an arbitrator will ultimately disagree with that view and uphold discipline issued to providers for refusing to comply with the requirement. For those reasons, providers should understand that there is a risk that they may be disciplined if you choose not to complete the registration. WTU will continue to take all legal actions available to challenge DCPS’s actions.

Please reach out with any questions. Again, I wish you all a restful and joyous Thanksgiving Day filled with friends and family and a wonderful holiday season.

Thank you, as always, for your support!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Photo shows WTU staff signing up our WTU Retirees for Membership, Dental, Vision and Legal Benefits on 11/13/24.

A Message from WTU’s President

Good morning WTU Family,

I hope everyone enjoyed a restful weekend. It’s hard to believe the start of Thanksgiving Break is just eight days away! Please consider giving testimony before the City Council for the Oversight Hearing on Special Education on Wednesday, November 20^th. The City Council really appreciates and respects testimony given by educators who work in the field every day. If you need talking points for this hearing, please reach out to WTU’s organizer Mike Roland at [email protected].

If your children are currently applying for college, please consider applying for the 2025 Scholarship for Union families. Union Plus Scholarships help union families with the cost of applying to college and has awarded more than $5 million to students of working families who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education. Award amounts vary between $500 to $4000 per student. Applicants can apply every year. The deadline to apply is Noon on Friday January 31, 2025. To learn more, please click here.

WTU’s leadership and staff continue to focus on our primary objective which is getting our contract fully approved through DC City Council prior to the start of the New Year. Right now, our tentative contract is under review by the Chief Financial Officer of the District of Columbia, the Office of the Attorney General as well the Office of the DC City Administrator. Once the review is completed, our tentative contract will be presented to the DC City Council. We will continue to keep you in the loop regarding our progress.

As we look to the days ahead, please mark your calendars for WTU’s fun and lively holiday party. This year, instead of an evening event, we are planning a more casual after-work soiree from 4:30-9PM on Thursday, December 12^th. Please save the date! The invitations will go out shortly. I look forward to seeing you at school visits!

Thank you, as always, for your support!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Let the Council hear your Teacher Voice! Register to testify at upcoming hearings

• Nov 20 @ 12:30 PM, Special Education Oversight, register here
• Nov 20 @ 6:00 PM, DCPS FY26 Budget Hearing, register here
• Nov 21 @ 10:30 AM, Oversight of Out of School Time Programs, register here
• Dec 4 @ 12:30 PM, Academic Achievement, register here

A Message from WTU’s President

Good morning WTU Family,

I hope everyone had a chance to rest and reflect during this Veterans Day weekend. Yesterday’s holiday offered us a chance to recognize our veterans especially those WTU members who have served and continue to serve this country. Thank you for your courage, strength, and dedication to keeping us safe.

Last week took a toll on many of us as we worked hard and hoped for a different election outcome. Please know the WTU is proud of the work you did to try to elect VP Kamala Harris and our other endorsed candidates! Despite a very tough loss, we were pleased to announce that the following endorsed candidates won: Robert White (At-Large, D.C. Council), Christina Henderson (At-Large, D.C. Council), Janeese Lewis George, (Ward 4, D.C. Council), Allister Chang (Ward 2, D.C. State Board of Education), Eboni-Rose Thompson (Ward 7, D.C. State Board of Education), La Joy Johnson-Law (Ward 8, State Board of Education), and Angela Alsobrooks (U.S. Senate, Maryland). We extend our congratulations to all the winners and look forward to working with them in the future!

Last week, WTU leadership and staff also welcomed the opportunity to visit members at Seaton Elementary School and Luke C. Moore High School. Thank you to the teachers for the chance to fellowship and share important news about our newly ratified contract as well as Union concerns. As you may have heard from your Building Representatives, one of our primary concerns right now is getting our contract fully approved through DC City Council prior to the start of the New Year. Right now, our tentative contract is under review by the Chief Financial Officer of the District of Columbia, the Office of the Attorney General as well the Office of the DC City Administrator. Once the review is completed, our tentative contract will be presented to the DC City Council. We will continue to keep you in the loop regarding our progress.

As we look to the days ahead, please mark your calendars for WTU’s fun and lively holiday party. This year, instead of an evening event, we are planning a more casual after-work soiree from 4:30-9PM on Thursday, December 12^th. Please save the date! The invitations will go out this week. I look forward to seeing you at school visits and please remember to attend the WTU Representative Assembly meeting today at 4:30PM.

Thank you, as always, for your support!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Let the Council hear your Teacher Voice! Register to testify at upcoming hearings

• Nov 13 @ 2:30 PM, Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy, register here
• Nov 20 @ 12:30 PM, Special Education Oversight, register here
• Nov 20 @ 6:00 PM, DCPS FY26 Budget Hearing, register here
• Nov 21 @ 10:30 AM, Oversight of Out of School Time Programs, register here
• Dec 4 @ 12:30 PM, Academic Achievement, register here

A Message from WTU’s President

Good morning WTU Family,

I hope you enjoyed the warm summer temperatures on Halloween night and the start of Diwali! WTU leadership and staff spent this Halloween distributing more than 200 books to kids at DC State Board of Education Representative Eboni-Rose Thompson’s Ward 7's Trunk or Treat. Seeing the kids' faces light up with excitement as they picked out their favorite stories made it all worthwhile!

Thank you to those who joined us to help as we continue the push to increase literacy rates in our DC children. We also thank those members who joined us last Wednesday to hear Vice President Harris deliver a major closing address at the Ellipse! Lastly, WTU would also like to thank all our members who gave compelling testimony before the DC City Council at the hearing on the Retention of Teachers and Principals. We will post the riveting testimony by your colleagues throughout the week.

As we countdown to the one day left before our national election, please continue to do something to help our local and national endorsed candidates to win. Please reach out to those in your network and remind them to vote. Looking for other ways to help? Join us in canvassing for our local officials! Please reach out to WTU’s organizer Mike Roland to learn more. Thank you, as always, for your support! May this Diwali illuminate your life with peace, joy, and happiness!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Let the Council hear your Teacher Voice! Register to testify at upcoming hearings

• November 6 @12 PM, Math Improvement Act, register here
• November 12 @ 6 PM, Brookland MS, DCPS, and DC Local School Advisory Team Collective (DCLC) FY26 Budget Forum, register here
• November 13 @2:30PM, Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy, register here
• November 20 @ 12:30 PM, Special Education Oversight, register here
• November 20 @6PM, DCPS FY26 Budget Hearing, register here
• November 21 @10:30AM, Oversight of Out of School Time Programs, register here
• December 4 @ 12:30 PM, Academic Achievement, register here

A Message from WTU’s President

Good morning WTU Family,

First, thank you for voting! Last week, 96% or 2880 members voted to approve a five- year Tentative Contract Agreement with DCPS. With this contract, we were able to fight back and keep rights we have had since the late 1960s as well as gain important provisions that should help alleviate some of the challenging conditions that have frustrated us and inhibited recruitment and retention.

Highlights of the package include provisions that improve the sick leave bank, allow teachers to retain up to 10 sick days while still being eligible for the maternity/paternity leave bank, provide wellness days, provide four non-teaching morning blocks each week for teachers to prepare and plan lessons, create a more equitable distribution of work for related-service providers and provide athletic trainers with the equipment and support they need to keep student athletes safe.

As for wage increases, members will receive a 4 percent bonus for the past year (in which WTU members were working under an expired contract), a 2 percent raise for FY2025, a 3 percent raise for FY2026 and FY2027, and a 4 percent raise for FY2028. It is also important to note we were able to maintain our dental, legal, and vision benefits.

While our work is not done as we know we need to eliminate the racism and bias inherent in our current evaluation system, we take pride in getting our members a NEW contract that not only includes pay increases but better working conditions.  

I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the WTU members who joined us on Saturday to canvass with our AFL-CIO brothers and sisters for VP Harris for President and Angela Alsobrooks for US Senate. This Tuesday, Vice President Harris will deliver a major closing address in Washington on the Ellipse. Please join us by RSVPing here. If you'd like to attend this exciting and historic event, please sign up here.

As we countdown the days left before our national election, please continue to do something to help our local and national endorsed candidates to win. Phone bank with us on Wednesday, October 30^th. U.S. Representative for Maryland’s 5^th Congressional District Steny Hoyer will be a special guest. Please encourage others to vote. Looking for other ways to help? Join us in canvassing for our local officials! Please reach out to WTU’s organizer Mike Roland to learn more. Thank you, as always, for your support!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Let the Council hear your Teacher Voice! Register to testify at upcoming hearings 

• Nov 6 @ 12 PM, Math Achievement Oversight, register here
• Nov 20 @ 12:30 PM, Special Education Oversight, register here
• Dec 4 @ 12:30 PM, Academic Achievement, register here

DCPS Calendar 2026-2029

Please take a moment to review and give feedback to DCPS on the 2026-2029 calendar here. The WTU will be working with DCPS to ensure that our two contractual wellness days are added.

A Message from WTU’s President

Good Morning WTU Family!

Thank you to those members who voted and attended Town Hall Meetings to discuss the Tentative Contract last week. If you haven’t voted yet, you will receive another email from TRUEBALLOT no later than 8AM this morning. Full members of the Washington Teachers’ Union have until 11:59PM TONIGHT to vote.

If you do not receive a ballot, first check your SPAM email folder. Second, please check PeopleSoft to verify you are a full dues-paying member. If these two actions do not resolve your voting concerns, please reach out to Carlton Nettles at [email protected] for assistance as soon as possible.

Thank you, again, to all our WTU members, WTU leadership, the WTU Bargaining Team, and the WTU Contract Action Team for your hard work over the last year and a half. Your faith and dedication got us this contract! Let’s show the power of this Union by voting! And remember, you get the Union you want by voting.

We will announce the results of this vote by tomorrow afternoon. Thank you, in advance, for your support!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

A Message from WTU’s President

Good Morning, WTU Family!

Thank you, to all our members, for your unwavering dedication and patience as we bring the tentative contract across the finish line. As emailed on Friday, the WTU attorneys and staff spent last week examining and preparing the tentative contract and documents.

You will now have an opportunity to review these documents and vote.

All WTU Members will have an opportunity to cast their votes electronically via their personal email beginning today Tuesday, October 15 at 8 AM through Monday, October 21 at 11:59 PM. The election service company, TrueBallot, Inc., will handle the administration of the vote and your email will be coming to your personal email account via TrueBallot.

If you do not receive a ballot, first check your SPAM email folder. Second, please check PeopleSoft to verify you are a full dues-paying member. If these two actions do not resolve your voting concerns, please reach out to Carlton Nettles at [email protected] for assistance.

Your WTU Tentative Contract Voting package from TrueBallot will include the following: 

• The tentative agreement signed by President Pogue Lyons and Chancellor Ferebee
• The signed MOA on Climate Curriculum Task Force signed by President Pogue Lyons and Chancellor Ferebee
• The signed MOA on Diversity of Instructional Staff signed by President Pogue Lyons and Chancellor Ferebee
• A tentative contract fact sheet
• A draft of the tentative CBA
• A copy of the current CBA
• A draft of the tentative contract salary schedule

WTU will host virtual Town Hall Meetings via Zoom to discuss the contract and answer any questions this afternoon, Tuesday, October 15^th at 4:30 pm and Thursday, October 17^th at 4:30 pm. 

Please click on this link to attend the WTU Town Hall Meetings https://aft.zoom.us/j/95658568598?pwd=HekXWARZErtPElPf9rV8RdbyZbd5zb.1. Meeting ID: 956 5856 8598 Passcode: 630798 

Please note the 2024-25 WTU Field Representative Assignments have been updated. To see a list of who now represents your school, please click this link. Your new Field Representative will be reaching out to your Building Representative this week.

Thank you to the members who joined us on Saturday to canvass for Kamala Harris for President and Angela Alsobrooks for Senate! As our national election is predicted to be extremely close, we encourage as many WTU members as possible to join us and our union brothers/sisters in canvassing on the next two Saturdays:

• Sat, Oct 19, 9:30am - 12 PM EDT, AFSCME Council 3 Office, 1400 Mercantile Ln, Suite 188, Largo, MD, 20774
• Sat, Oct 26, 9:30am - 12 PM EDT, AFSCME Council 3 Office, 1400 Mercantile Ln, Suite 188, Largo, MD, 20774

Please reach out to WTU’s organizer, Mike Roland, [email protected] to volunteer.

Please make sure you Vote and I look forward to seeing members at today’s Town Hall Meeting! Thank you, in advance, for your support!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Dear WTU Member,

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering dedication and patience as we bring the tentative contract across the finish line. The WTU attorneys and staff spent this past week examining and preparing the tentative contract and documents for your review. You will now have an opportunity to review these documents.

All WTU Members will have an opportunity to cast their votes electronically via their personal email starting on Tuesday, October 15^th, morning through Monday, October 21^st. The election service company, TrueBallot, Inc., will handle the administration of the vote.

Your WTU Tentative Contract Voting package includes the following information:

• The tentative agreement signed by President Pogue Lyons and Chancellor Ferebee
• The signed MOA on Climate Curriculum Task Force signed by President Pogue Lyons and Chancellor Ferebee
• The signed MOA on Diversity of Instructional Staff signed by President Pogue Lyons and Chancellor Ferebee
• A tentative contract fact sheet
• A draft of the tentative CBA
• A copy of the current CBA
• A draft of the tentative contract salary schedule

WTU will host virtual WTU Town Hall Meetings via Zoom to discuss the contract and answer any questions on Tuesday, October 15^th at 4:30 pm, and Thursday, October 17^th at 4:30 pm.

All the best,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

A Message from WTU’s President

Good Morning WTU Family!

I hope you enjoyed the glorious fall weather this weekend as it offered many of us a joyful and welcome relief from days of rain. In addition to excellent weather, as you heard via WTU emails, WTU’s social media posts, Washington Informer, WTOP News, Channel 9 News, Washington Post, last week, exactly one year since the WTU contract expired, WTU’s Contract Bargaining Team (CBT) agreed to a five-year tentative contract agreement with the District of Columbia Public Schools! This milestone marks a pivotal change in contract negotiations which, in the last 10 years, took more than 3-5 years to complete.

None of this would have been possible without the support of you – our members. Your love, high-energy in our contract actions, rallies, and red for ed days made this tentative agreement possible. We also extend our sincere gratitude to Mayor Bowser, Chancellor Ferebee, AFT President Randi Weingarten for bringing this laborious process to fruition. Also, we thank our representatives in the D.C. City Council and D.C. State Board of Education and the DC community who helped us by writing resolutions, attending bargaining sessions, rallies, and contract actions.

While the bargaining team is very pleased with what we accomplished at the table, you—the members—have the final say in a membership vote that will take place electronically from Tuesday, October 15 to Tuesday, October 21. To learn more about the details of the tentative contract agreement, please take a look at the two emails sent out last week here and plan to attend the WTU Representative Assembly meeting tomorrow - Tuesday, October 8 at 4:30 PM. Everyone is invited. Zoom link. Also, please plan to attend two virtual Town Hall Meetings on Tuesday, October 15 and Thursday, October 18. A printed copy of the Tentative Contract Agreement will be distributed to all members this week.

It’s hard to believe but the November 5, 2024 election is only 30 days away!! We urge all members to mark your calendars now and focus on getting the candidates the WTU membership endorsed elected! In conjunction with the Metro Washington Council, the WTU will be canvassing in Prince George’s County, Maryland for VP Kamala Harris for President and Angela Alsobrooks for U.S. Senate on the following dates:

• Sat, Oct 12, 9:30am - 12pm EDT, AFSCME Council 3 Office, 1400 Mercantile Ln, Suite 188, Largo, MD, 20774
• Sat, Oct 19, 9:30am - 12pm EDT, AFSCME Council 3 Office, 1400 Mercantile Ln, Suite 188, Largo, MD, 20774
• Sat, Oct 26, 9:30am - 12pm EDT, AFSCME Council 3 Office, 1400 Mercantile Ln, Suite 188, Largo, MD, 20774

We need as many members as possible to participate! To volunteer to canvass, please send an email to our WTU Organizer, Mike Roland [email protected]

I hope you will take some time for self-care this week and revel in the beautiful fall weather! Thank you, in advance, for your support!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

To read the full news story, please click here. 

To watch WUSA/Channel 9's coverage of WTU's Tentative Contract Agreement with DCPS, please click here.