Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, July 18, 2022

AFT delegates reelect Randi Weingarten as President

The WTU was honored to send a delegation to Boston to help re-elect Randi Weingarten as President of the AFT. Read more: American Federation of Teachers Re-elects National Officers, Passes Resolutions at 2022 Convention | American Federation of Teachers (aft.org)
The AFT also released a new report on Teacher Shortages.

Washington Post - D.C.-area schools see spike in teacher resignations

The WTU continues to be concerned with the high rate of teacher turnover that plagues the District. We’ll continue our work with the mayor and council to promote policies that will encourage and support teachers to remain in the District.

DCPS changes to IMPACT

Last week, you received an email from Chancellor Ferebee about changes to the IMPACT evaluation system for SY2022-23. The WTU is reviewing the proposed changes and will continue to work with DCPS and the Council to Replace IMPACT, which an American University study found to be racially biased.

More details here: Evolutions Overview _ Summer 2022 IMPACT Review.pdf (dc.gov)

IMPACT Bonus

Teachers at all schools are eligible to receive the IMPACTplus bonus.  The amount a teacher receives is dependent upon their IMPACT group and their schools Poverty status (which is largely tied to their Title 1 status) and CS1 status (which is determined by OSSE). 

If you have questions, please contact Charles Moore at [email protected].

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

When interviewed for the July 15th article in The Washington Post, WTU President Jacqueline Pogue Lyons expressed serious concerns with the high numbers of DC teacher resignations compared to other counties in the DC region. The lack of a contract, she said, doesn't help. 

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, July 11, 2022

WTU in the News

D.C. schools and teachers struggle to reach contract after 3 years - The Washington Post

City Wide Poetry Slam/Competition Hosted by BCAC/BCFH

COMMUNICATION FROM DCPS

COMPUTERS

In 2021 DCPS announced that it would centrally purchase and maintain an in-lifecycle device (no older than 3 years old) for every WTU teacher starting in SY21-22. We are happy to announce that DCPS is extending this commitment to cover all WTU members under this plan starting in SY22-23. Consequently, every WTU staff member will be assigned an in-lifecycle laptop purchased centrally starting in SY22-23.  

Please note that while the purchase of devices is underway and we are working closely with the manufacturer to deliver them to schools prior to the new school year, we also anticipate and are preparing for potential COVID-related delays, due to international supply chain and shipping constraints. We will provide further updates on delivery timelines when available.  

Office Depot Supply Card

From - Procurement Operations Team
We are writing to remind you that the planned final day to use the 2021-2022 Office Depot supply cards was 6/25. This date was communicated in all distribution messages, as well as the information flyers released with the cards. An expiration date for supply cards, both in the case of electronic and physical cards, is consistent with previous years.

We were recently notified that Office Depot erroneously deactivated the cards two days early. To address this issue, we have reactivated all physical cards for an additional window of time to ensure all those affected have an opportunity to spend their funds. The cards will be active through Sunday 7/17/2022.

We apologize for any difficulties encountered by those who attempted to use remaining funds during the premature deactivation.

 
STIPENDS – HAVE NOT BEEN PAID YET

Our Compensation team has advised that they are currently processing all required stipend payments, e.g., Department Chairs and TLIs for disbursement. They do not have an exact date yet but have prioritized this to be resolved within the next week or so.

To: 10-Month Employees in WTU Positions; Re: Important Information About Your Upcoming Paychecks

Below is guidance from Time and Labor regarding your upcoming paychecks through the start of SY 22-23. If you are returning to DCPS for the SY 22-23, your upcoming paychecks will consist of the following:

Check date: July 15, 2022
Time included: June 19 through July 2
Duration of pay: Two weeks
Type of pay: first (of four) Summer Pay Credit payment
Note: You will see the Time Reporting Code of Hours Worked No Pay (HWNP) on your paycheck for June 21 through June 24. This is to offset the 4 days of pay provided at the start of SY 21-22 prior to the first reporting week, so that you received a full pay period of pay. However, as noted above, you will not see an interruption in pay as you will receive the first Summer Pay Credit payment, which equates to two weeks of pay.

Check date: July 29, 2022

Time included: July 3 through July 16
Duration of pay: Two weeks
Type of pay: second (of four) Summer Pay Credit payments Check date: August 12, 2022
Time included: July 18 through Jul 31
Duration of pay: Two weeks
Type of pay: third (of four) Summer Pay Credit payments

Check date: August 26, 2022

Time included: August 1 through August 14
Duration of pay: Two weeks
Type of pay: final (of four) Summer Pay Credit payments

If you would like to view your current Summer Pay Credit (SPC) balance, please review the balance posted on your paycheck stubs. Additional questions regarding your paycheck should be directed to the Time and Labor team at [email protected] dc.gov or (202) 442-4090.
 

WTU ELECTION Results

We would like to congratulate the 2022 election winners!

The Election Results for the 2022 WTU Officers Elections have been posted to the WTU Website at: https://www.wtulocal6.net/elections.

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, July 5, 2022

D.C. Teachers Bemoan Lengthy Contract Negotiations

Thank you to everyone who joined us to Rally for A Fair Contract.

SURVEYS!

DCPS wants to hear from you! 

The DCPS Professional Learning team is quickly gearing up for a great year of learning in SY 22-23 and they need your help! They are asking you to complete their professional development needs assessment. Your feedback will help their teams better target professional learning efforts to better meet your needs. 

OSSE wants to hear from you!

The D.C. State Board of Education (SBOE) invites you to complete a 10-minute survey. The purpose of this Education Governance Survey is to better understand your experiences with the D.C. public education system/ public or private schools in D.C. as we consider what recommendations should be made to improve D.C.’s education system. Education Governance 2022 Survey (surveymonkey.com)

Sign up to testify at DC Council Hearing on Literacy

July 14^th - The DC Council Committee of The Whole is holding a hearing on student literacy. Please make your voice heard and echo the WTU's calls for (1) ensuring there is a full-time librarian in every school, (2) reducing class size, especially in communities with large reading gaps, and (3) ensuring educators have proper planning time to prepare for classes. 

Sign-up here: Committee Hearing Signup: Student Literacy

WTU ELECTION Results

We would like to congratulate the 2022 election winners!

The Election Results for the 2022 WTU Officers Elections have been posted to the WTU Website at: https://www.wtulocal6.net/elections.

Members have 10 calendar days to submit official challenges to the election results. Challenges must be submitted in writing by email to [email protected].

COVID CORNER

We want to remind everyone that the CDC states, face masks help prevent the spread of Covid.

Please continue to report COVID related issues to the situation room - http://bit.ly/WTUSafeOpenings
And any testing or reporting issues to OSSE (OSSE Online Complaint Form (dc.gov).

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, June 27, 2022

The WTU leadership and staff would like to thank everyone for your dedication and patience during this difficult year. Together, we stood up against DCPS to demand safe working conditions and accommodations for those most at-risk during the pandemic as well as more resources for our students. Among our notable achievements this year are:

• securing COVID-19 Leave for teachers.
• winning a $70,000 AFT Back to School Grant to sponsor school trips, school gardens, proms, book club celebrations, classroom libraries and much more.
• Joining substitute teachers in a Rally at Freedom Plaza and helping them secure fair wages.
• The IMPACT Committee worked with the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Unions to develop a framework for what a fair evaluation system should look like and the WTU is committed to presenting this work to DCPS and city leaders. 
• Building upon our win in the budget to ensure every school has a full-time librarian, WTU showed its commitment to improving literacy outcomes for children by going to schools all over the District to give a free book to all children who received a vaccination, holding a book fair to give away over 40,000 books and also by supporting the AFT’s Reading Opens the World Campaign in schools over this city.

We know that this year was difficult and our work as a Union doesn't end with the last day of school. Over the summer months, your Union and your fellow WTU members will continue to advocate for a new contract, including improvements to our working conditions and pay. If you are not receiving the AM Brew in your personal in-box, please contact Valerie Kilby ([email protected]) to ensure your email is updated. 

For educators retiring or leaving DCPS after this school year, we'd like to thank you for your service to our city's students. We know that we can count upon you to raise your voice to continue advocating for our city’s students and we encourage you to join the WTU Retirees Union.

Thank you for your dedication to our city's students!

In Solidarity,

The WTU Team

#Vote.

The WTU would like to thank you for your support of the WTU Endorsed Candidates in the DC Democratic primary last week. While our candidates came up short in the city-wide elections, we had several “wins” in the Ward races and look forward to working with a more labor friendly council in the coming years.

RALLY FOR A FAIR CONTRACT

3 Years Without a Contract is Too Long

Show the Mayor we’re united in demanding a fair contract now by joining us at Freedom Plaza, 1455 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004, Tuesday, June 28, 10-2:30.

Wear your WTU t-shirt.

DCPS Laptops

DCPS announced that it would centrally purchase and maintain an in-lifecycle device (no older than 3 years old) for every WTU teacher starting in SY21-22. DCPS also informed the WTU that it is extending its commitment to cover all WTU members under this plan starting in SY22-23. Consequently, every WTU staff member will be assigned an in-lifecycle laptop purchased centrally starting in SY22-23. 

DCPS informed the WTU that the purchase of devices is underway and they are working closely with the manufacturer to deliver them to schools prior to the new school year, DCPS also noted that it anticipates and will prepare for potential COVID-related delays, due to international supply chain and shipping constraints. DCPS has promised to provide further updates on delivery timelines when available.

DCPS is also collecting all devices (laptops) to ensure they are updated and reimaged for the new school year. While this is optional, if your device is not reimaged and apps or new programs are not installed, your device may have issues when you return in August 2022. You will also experience delays if you need to have your device updated once school begins. Please reach out to your WTU Field Representative if you have additional questions or concerns.

Extra Duty Pay

WTU is continuing to push DCPS to ensure that all teachers receive payment for their work as grade level chairs as well as for club and team sponsorship and for simultaneous teaching. If you have questions about this, please reach out to your WTU Field Representative

CLOSES SOON - Sick & Maternity Leave Banks Enrollment Open

Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022 and from August 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022. Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions. If you miss the Open Enrollment dates, you will not be able to enroll in "the Banks" until the next Open Seasons in June 2023 and August 2023. This is strictly for the use of the Sick Leave and Maternity/Paternity Leave Banks and not the Dental/Vision enrollment.

Click here to submit your information to enroll: https://forms.gle/3fP8XwSiU8kYXjiW9

WTU ELECTION NEWS

We thank you for your patience, flexibility and most importantly exercising your right to Vote!

Tomorrow, June 28th, is Count Day!

Election Results will be posted to the WTU Website and emailed to members within 48 hours. 

If you have any questions for the Elections Committee, please email us at [email protected] or leave a message at 202-505-3309. 

Building Elections

The building election packet were sent to Building Representatives, who are responsible for conducting building level elections, last week. Its contents can be found here. A full list of WTU local school leadership positions and their duties is available here.

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

As the summer fast approaches, don't forget to sign up for WTU's Summer Institute of professional development courses starting next week! WTU members are entitled to a deep discount in the fees for a variety of teacher leadership and adult learning opportunities designed to enhance your professional growth. WTU’s professional development courses are research-based, peer-to-peer and solution-driven. They help teachers build content knowledge and mastery of pedagogical strategies. All WTU courses are aligned to the DCPS IMPACT Teaching and Learning Framework and Essential Practices Standards 1 through 5. Classes need at least 5 paid registrants to officially move forward.

Here's What's Brewing Today

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Good morning, Washington Teachers’ Union Member,

As we move this week to the end of another school year, I wanted to express my thanks to all the members of the WTU for their dedication to the children of our city. I know my words will never be enough to show my appreciation for what you do every day and have been through the past few years.

As we wrap up the school year, many of you are thinking about next year. I wish I had better news about contract negotiations.

For more than two years (yes, two years) your WTU bargaining team has tried to negotiate a fair contract that balances the needs of students and teachers with the administrative goals of the school district. As of today, most of the WTU’s proposals to improve our students’ learning conditions and the teachers’ working conditions have been rejected by DCPS. Even more frustrating is that the leaders of our school district have identified their “must haves” as issues that have little to do with teaching or learning. These must haves focus on central office operations.

Understandably, one of the most important parts of contract negotiations is compensation. Although the WTU team proposed a compensation package that was reasonable given current economic conditions and the teacher shortage in DC and around the country, the response from the school district can only be described as “disappointing.” DCPS negotiators continue to insist that WTU agree to their must haves -- again, things that do not affect teaching and learning -- before teachers will see their first cost-of-living increase in almost three years.

WTU members have worked without a new contract for two full years and are only four months away from another year without a settlement. In response to teachers not having an adjustment to the salary schedule for almost three years, with raging inflation, helping the school district navigate through the worse pandemic in over 100 years, and numerous unfilled teaching positions, the priority of district negotiators is focused outside our classroom and schools. That is beyond disappointing.

It is not acceptable when hard working teachers have done all they could to provide their students with the best possible education in very difficult times. We are years into these negotiations. You and every other member of the WTU know we are way past the “we must have these things to make our job easier” stage. Especially when proposals to ease the pressure on teachers have been mostly rejected. I wish I could share more about these issues, but confidentiality limits what I can say.

It is time to get this done! The WTU team has worked extremely hard and taken steps to get this contract done as soon as possible: they have provided options and proposals that address the issues DCPS has placed on the negotiating table. DCPS’s recent response indicates that the school district is willing to drag out negotiations and create unnecessary animosity between the teachers and the district—ironically, for things that have nothing to do with our classrooms. That is extremely disappointing, especially when there is an unprecedented shortage of teachers in our country, and you have so many career options.

The WTU bargaining team is committed to a fair contract for students, teachers, and the school district. We will continue to work hard for a tentative settlement that respects you and your work.

Like I said, I wish I had better news as we celebrate the end of the school year.

In solidarity.

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

ELECTION DAY

Today is the DC Primary Election. Please ensure you #VOTE. 

The WTU Endorsed Candidates are available HERE.

RALLY FOR A FAIR CONTRACT

3 Years Without a Contract is Too Long

June 28 at 10AM at Freedom Plaza

Sick & Maternity Leave Banks Enrollment Open

Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022 and from August 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022. Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions.

If you miss the Open Enrollment dates, you will not be able to enroll in "the Banks" until the next Open Seasons in June 2023 and August 2023. This is strictly for the use of the Sick Leave and Maternity/Paternity Leave Banks and not the Dental/Vision enrollment.

Click here to submit your information to enroll: https://forms.gle/3fP8XwSiU8kYXjiW9

WTU ELECTION NEWS

Full dues paying members, should have received a ballot to the address you have on file with the WTU. If you have not received a ballot by Tuesday June 14, 2022, please email Ms. Valerie Kilby at [email protected] to verify your information on file and request a replacement ballot. 

Upon receipt of your ballot, please allow for no more than 48 hours before returning your ballot to the mail. Ballots must be received at the US Post Office by 4pm on June 28th, 2022. 

Election Count Day - 5pm June 28th, 2022. 

Candidates have received critical observer information. Please adhere to the deadline and submit the necessary form by 5pm Friday June 17th. 

In case you missed it...

1. You can watch May 12th's Presidential Candidates Forum here.
2. You may access the rooms from May 17th's Meet and Greet by clicking on the links. Visit Pogue Lyons - Bellhere, Unity here, and Independent Candidates here. 

*Please be advised that some recordings may not start from the beginning of the session. 

If you have any questions for the Elections Committee, please email us at [email protected] or leave a message at 202-505-3309. 

Building Elections

The building election packet were sent to Building Representatives, who are responsible for conducting building level elections, last week. Its contents can be found here. A full list of WTU local school leadership positions and their duties is available here.

COVID CORNER

We want to remind everyone that the CDC states, face masks help prevent the spread of Covid.

Please continue to report COVID related issues to the situation room - http://bit.ly/WTUSafeOpenings
And any testing or reporting issues to OSSE (OSSE Online Complaint Form (dc.gov).

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, June 13, 2022

March for our Lives

RuQuan Brown, a Banneker alum and current Harvard student, with his former teacher Clare Berke at the March for Our Lives. Mr. Brown lost his stepfather to gun violence. We encourage you to listen to his speech here.

Thanks to all our educators for joining us in celebrating DC Pride!

June 2022 Member Meeting – Tuesday, June 14 @ 4:30

Click here to join via zoom.

Passcode: 738827

DC’s Primary Election is 8 Days Away -- Support WTU Endorsed Candidates!

We encourage WTU members to #VOTE and to get involved in supporting WTU Endorsed Candidates in the upcoming June Primary Elections.

For a list of endorsed candidates, click here.

Mathical Book Prize

Congratulation to School Librarian Renee LaRue who a $700 Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Award and $5000 grant award from Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries for Savoy Elementary School.

D.C. is wrongly excluding teachers from graduation

Read Roosevelt HS teachers Erich Heckel and Samantha Averett opinion piece from Sunday’s WaPo - Opinion | D.C. is wrongly excluding teachers from graduation - The Washington Post

Sick & Maternity Leave Banks Enrollment Open

Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022 and from August 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022. Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions.

If you miss the Open Enrollment dates, you will not be able to enroll in "the Banks" until the next Open Seasons in June 2023 and August 2023. This is strictly for the use of the Sick Leave and Maternity/Paternity Leave Banks and not the Dental/Vision enrollment.

Click here to submit your information to enroll: https://forms.gle/3fP8XwSiU8kYXjiW9

WTU ELECTION NEWS

Greetings WTU Members! 

Most of you, full dues paying members, should have received a ballot to the address you have on file with the WTU. If you have not received a ballot by Tuesday June 14, 2022, please email Ms. Valerie Kilby at [email protected] to verify your information on file and request a replacement ballot. 

Upon receipt of your ballot, please allow for no more than 48 hours before returning your ballot to the mail. Ballots must be received at the US Post Office by 4pm on June 28th, 2022. 

Election Count Day - 5pm June 28th, 2022. 

Candidates have received critical observer information. Please adhere to the deadline and submit the necessary form by 5pm Friday June 17th. 

In case you missed it...

1. You can watch May 12th's Presidential Candidates Forum here.
2. You may access the rooms from May 17th's Meet and Greet by clicking on the links. Visit Pogue Lyons - Bellhere, Unity here, and Independent Candidates here. 

*Please be advised that some recordings may not start from the beginning of the session. 

If you have any questions for the Elections Committee, please email us at [email protected] or leave a message at 202-505-3309. 

Building Elections

The building election packet were sent to Building Representatives, who are responsible for conducting building level elections, last week. Its contents can be found here. A full list of WTU local school leadership positions and their duties is available here.

COVID CORNER

We want to remind everyone that the CDC states, face masks help prevent the spread of Covid.

Please continue to report COVID related issues to the situation room - http://bit.ly/WTUSafeOpenings
And any testing or reporting issues to OSSE (OSSE Online Complaint Form (dc.gov).

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, June 6, 2022

It’s past time for elected officials to end the slaughter of schoolchildren and others in our communities.

Click here to learn more.

DC Primary Ballots Have Arrived -- Support WTU Endorsed Candidates!

We encourage WTU members to #VOTE and to get involved in supporting WTU Endorsed Candidates in the upcoming June Primary Elections.

For a list of endorsed candidates, click here.

Opportunities to support Matt Frumin, WTU endorsed candidate for Ward 3 Council.

Door to door canvasses (Mon-Thu, Sat & Sun), phonebanks (everyday), and early voting center canvasses (starting June 10). If you have any questions, please contact Elias Benda (he/him/his) Campaign Manager, Matt Frumin for Ward 3, cell: (202)-355-8284

Sick & Maternity Leave Banks Enrollment Open

Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022 and from August 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022. Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions.

If you miss the Open Enrollment dates, you will not be able to enroll in "the Banks" until the next Open Seasons in June 2023 and August 2023. This is strictly for the use of the Sick Leave and Maternity/Paternity Leave Banks and not the Dental/Vision enrollment.

Click here to submit your information to enroll: https://forms.gle/3fP8XwSiU8kYXjiW9

WTU ELECTION NEWS

Greetings WTU Members!  The WTUEC would like to thank you for your patience as we strive to provide updated information to you during this election cycle. 

Ballots will be mailed this week!!! 

The Elections Committee is unable to give an exact date as to the mailing of the ballot but we were informed it should be no later than June 7th. If this information changes, we will make every effort to inform the membership once we receive any updated information. 

The Elections Committee assumes no responsibility for any errors found on the ballot or any information contrary to what was provided to members in the Special Elections Edition of the “Washington Teacher” as we were not given a voice in updates to the ballot, when the ballots would be sent out or notification by the WTU that the ballots were authorized to be reprinted without Elections Committee input.

If you have not received a copy of the Special Elections Edition of the “Washington Teacher” , please email Ms. Valerie Kilby at [email protected] to ensure that the WTU has your correct mailing address on file. We want to ensure that every member is able to receive a ballot for the Officers’ Election. 

Please be on the lookout for additional modes of communication from the WTUEC as we finally received the approval and information to move forward with robocalls to the membership. 

In case you missed it...

1. You can watch May 12th's Presidential Candidates Forum here.
2. You may access the rooms from May 17th's Meet and Greet by clicking on the links.
   1. Visit Pogue Lyons - Bell here, Unity here, and Independent Candidates here. 

*Please be advised that some recordings may not start from the beginning of the session. 

If you have any questions for the Elections Committee, please email us at [email protected] or leave a message at 202-505-3309. 

Building Elections

The building election packet were sent to Building Representatives, who are responsible for conducting building level elections, last week. Its contents can be found here. A full list of WTU local school leadership positions and their duties is available here.

COVID CORNER

We want to remind everyone that the CDC states, face masks help prevent the spread of Covid.

Please continue to report COVID related issues to the situation room - http://bit.ly/WTUSafeOpenings
And any testing or reporting issues to OSSE (OSSE Online Complaint Form (dc.gov).

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

Tuesday, May 31

WTU has reached a settlement with DCPS to resolve the group grievance filed by WTU on behalf of School Counselors who worked additional days without pay. The settlement agreement was signed by President Pogue Lyons last week. The affected counselors will receive a communication regarding the details of the settlement.

DC Primary Ballots Have Arrived -- Support WTU Endorsed Candidates!

We encourage WTU members to #VOTE and to get involved in supporting WTU Endorsed Candidates in the upcoming June Primary Elections.

For a list of endorsed candidates, click here.

Sick & Maternity Leave Banks Enrollment Open SOON

Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022 and from August 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022. Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions.

If you miss the Open Enrollment dates, you will not be able to enroll in "the Banks" until the next Open Seasons in June 2023 and August 2023. This is strictly for the use of the Sick Leave and Maternity/Paternity Leave Banks and not the Dental/Vision enrollment.

Click here to submit your information to enroll: https://forms.gle/3fP8XwSiU8kYXjiW9

WTU ELECTION NEWS

The WTU Election Committee has received the AFT's Response and while we vehemently disagree with their response, the WTU Election Committee will push forward to ensure that this election cycle experiences no further delays to the extent it is within our power to do so. All other contested matters related to this issue are placed squarely in the hands of individuals who may be directly impacted by this Executive Board action.

The Elections Committee is finalizing a new elections balloting timeline and we should have an agreed upon ballot timeline by mid-week. Please watch for updated news. 

Please expect to receive the Special Election Edition of the Washington Teacher in your mail soon as well as frequent reminders via robo calls to encourage your participation in the election. 

In case you missed it...

• You can watch May 12th's Presidential Candidates Forum here.
• You may access the rooms from May 17th's Meet and Greet by clicking on the links. Visit Pogue Lyons - Bell here, Unity here, and Independent Candidates here. 

*Please be advised that some recordings may not start from the beginning of the session. 

If you have any questions for the Elections Committee, please email us at [email protected] or leave a message at 202-505-3309. 

Building Elections

The building election packet were sent to Building Representatives, who are responsible for conducting building level elections, last week. Its contents can be found here. A full list of WTU local school leadership positions and their duties is available here.

COVID CORNER

We want to remind everyone that the CDC states, face masks help prevent the spread of Covid.

Please continue to report COVID related issues to the situation room - http://bit.ly/WTUSafeOpenings
And any testing or reporting issues to OSSE (OSSE Online Complaint Form (dc.gov).

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, May 23

DC Primary Ballots Have Arrived -- Support WTU Endorsed Candidates!

We encourage WTU members to #VOTE and to get involved in supporting WTU Endorsed Candidates in the upcoming June Primary Elections.

For a list of WTU Endorsed Candidates, click here.

FMLA - PFL

We have heard from many teachers that their FMLA application is not being processing in a timely manner. We have been advocating for you and working with the LOA office to resolve this matter. We are proud to announce that there has been some progress on this issue. The following guidelines are only for those who applied for PFL.  Timekeepers have been asked to substitute Administrative Leave w/Pay (ADL) so that those affected teachers who have filed for Paid Family Leave (PFL) can remain in paid status. From the Memorandum:

“To qualify for the use of ADL in these circumstances, the below requirements MUST be followed. These qualifications will be checked by the LOA team.

• The employee must have submitted a completed LOA application 2 or more weeks ago, has not received a response from the LOA team, and has not had their PFL time loaded.
• The employee does not have any annual or sick leave to use. In other words, their own leave must be exhausted.

Principals, timekeepers or employees should inform Employee Services and an Employee Services representative will enter the time. Once the leave has been loaded, the timekeeper should send updated timesheets to the school payroll technician so that adjustments can be made in PeopleSoft.”

Timekeepers should contact the Time and Labor team at [email protected] for any further information.”

 

We sincerely hope that these efforts will help alleviate the stress that you have been experiencing because of this serious backlog.  Please reach out to your Field Representative if you have any questions.

Sick Leave Buy Back

Sick & Maternity Leave Banks Enrollment Open SOON

Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022 and from August 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022. Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions.

If you miss the Open Enrollment dates, you will not be able to enroll in "the Banks" until the next Open Seasons in June 2023 and August 2023. This is strictly for the use of the Sick Leave and Maternity/Paternity Leave Banks and not the Dental/Vision enrollment.

Click here to submit your information to enroll

WTU ELECTION NEWS

WTU OFFICERS ELECTIONS UPDATE!!!!

Due to a controversy between the WTU Elections Committee and the WTU Executive Board, the Special Elections Edition of the Washington Teacher and the ballots have not been mailed. At the request of the WTU Elections Committee, the American Federation of Teachers will provide directions. 

The Elections Committee will notify the membership once this status changes.

In case you missed it, you can watch the Presidential Candidates Forum here.  Click here to provide feedback about the forum in an effort to assist the Elections Committee with planning future events. We thank you for your time and input!

If you have any questions for the Elections Committee, please email us at [email protected] or leave a message at 202-505-3309. 

Building Elections

The building election packet were sent to Building Representatives, who are responsible for conducting building level elections, last week. Its contents can be found here. A full list of WTU local school leadership positions and their duties is available here.

COVID CORNER

We want to remind everyone that the CDC states, face masks help prevent the spread of Covid.

Please continue to report COVID related issues to the situation room - http://bit.ly/WTUSafeOpenings
And any testing or reporting issues to OSSE (OSSE Online Complaint Form (dc.gov).

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