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AM Brew - October 7, 2024

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

 

WTU’s Contract Bargaining Team Update

We urge all members to attend Tuesday’s Representative Assembly meeting at 4:30 PM to discuss WTU’s Tentative Bargaining Agreement with DCPS. To learn more about contract provisions, please read detailed information here.

DC City Council Chairman Phil Mendelson’s statement

If you did not see DC City Council Chairman Phil Mendelson’s statement on the Washington Teachers’ Union Contract, please read it below.

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

  • 10/17 @ 10:30 AM DCPS Budget and Contract Oversight, register here
  • 10/24 @ 10:00 AM, Career and Technical Education, register here
  • 10/29 @ 4:00 PM, Teacher and Principal Retention Oversight, register here
  • 11/6 @ 12 PM, Math Achievement Oversight, register here
  • 11/20 @ 12:30 PM, Special Education Oversight, register here
  • 12/4 @ 12:30 PM, Academic Achievement, register here

Upcoming Events, Activities & Meetings

  • Oct 7 @ 5 PM, C.O.P.E. Meeting, INFORMATION
  • Oct 8 @ 4:30 PM – Rep Assembly Building Reps and Delegates will receive a separate link to join as a panelist, INFORMATION
  • Oct 9 @ 4:30 PM - In-Person Retirement session, with DCPS, WTU and DC Retirement Board, 1200 1st St., NE, Room 1012A, REGISTRATION
  • Oct 10 @ 6:30-8 PM, Ward 4 Ed Alliance, INFORMATION
  • Oct 12 @ 9:30-12 PM, WTU Canvassing for VP Kamala Harris for President & Angela Alsobrooks for U.S. Senate, AFSCME Council 3 Office, 1400 Mercantile Ln, Suite 188, Largo, MD, 20774, INFORMATION
  • Oct 15-21, ONLINE VOTING ON TENTATIVE CONTRACT AGREEMENT
  • Oct 15 @ 4:30 PM, Tentative Contract Agreement Town Hall Meeting, Online via Zoom
  • Oct 18 @ 4:30 PM, Tentative Contract Agreement Town Hall Meeting, Online via Zoom
  • Oct 19 @ 9:30-12 PM, WTU Canvassing for VP Kamala Harris for President & Angela Alsobrooks for U.S. Senate, AFSCME Council 3 Office, 1400 Mercantile Ln, Suite 188, Largo, MD, 20774, INFORMATION
  • Oct 26 @ 9:30 AM-12 PM, WTU Canvassing for VP Kamala Harris for President & Angela Alsobrooks for U.S. Senate, AFSCME Council 3 Office, 1400 Mercantile Ln, Suite 188, Largo, MD, 20774, INFORMATION
  • Oct 19 @ 2 PM Brookland Middle School, Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars | Documentary Film
  • Oct 19 @ 10:30 AM -2 PM, EmpowerEd, Teacher Voice Festival, Eastern Market – North Hall INFORMATION

In the News

PD and other opportunities

LEA Look Forward for Oct. 4, 2024: Gratitude Powers DC, FY24 Grants Close Out Schedule and More

Membership Update

Make sure you are eligible to vote & receive WTU Communications!

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