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A Message from WTU’s President
Good Morning WTU Family!
This Saturday, we welcomed WTU’s school leaders to WTU’s Union Leadership Institute (ULI)! 
Thank you to all the school leaders who attended. We know everyone enjoyed having an opportunity to learn and hold open discussions regarding various school committees, our contract and how to best protect and support all members in our school buildings. All presentations were rigorous, and our discussions were lively and informative. And again, thank you to all our Building Representatives, LSAT, SCAC and Personnel Committee members for your service to our members and this Union. Our entire Union benefits when school leaders have time to sharpen their skills.
As mentioned in the Brew To-Go, during the WTU Membership Meeting on September 10th, the WTU membership voted to endorse VP Kamala Harris for President and Angela Alsobrooks for U.S. Senate. In conjunction with the Metro Washington Council, the WTU will be canvassing in Prince George’s County, Maryland for both candidates 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
If you would like to volunteer to canvass, please send an email to our WTU Organizer, Mike Roland [email protected]
In the next few months, you will have several opportunities to testify before the DC City Council.
- Oct 17 @ 10:30 am DCPS Budget and Contract Oversight, register here
- Oct 24 @ 10:00 am, Career and Technical Education, register here
- Oct 29 @ 4:00 pm, Teacher and Principal Retention Oversight, register here
- Nov 6 @ 12 pm, Math Achievement Oversight, register here
- Nov 20 @ 12:30, Special Education Oversight, register here
- Dec 4 @ 12:30, Academic Achievement, register here
Testifying before DC city leaders about what really happens in the classroom makes a difference. It changes perspectives. And can shape proposed legislation. Please consider sharing your experiences with your DC representatives. Our staff at the WTU stand ready to help you prepare for these opportunities. Please email WTU’s organizer, Mike Roland, if you are interested.
Thank you, in advance, for your support! Wishing everyone a peaceful and joyous Rosh Hashanah and health and prosperity for the New Year!
In solidarity,
Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President
Washington Teachers’ Union
WTU’s Contract Bargaining Team Update
As mentioned in last week’s AM BREW, contract negotiations with DCPS stopped abruptly in August due to the District’s (DCPS and OLRCB’s) insistence on:
- Increasing students' class sizes
- Removing safeguards for working hours
- Refusing to bargain over the length of the school year
- Possibly excessing highly effective and effective teachers
- Failing to sign contracts on time
Please continue to send your photos of members wearing red, and post signs. Signs can be placed in the back window of your car. Click here for the Proud WTU Member sign and here for the Fair Contract Now sign. Please email pictures to our WTU Organizer, Mike Roland, at [email protected] or text him at 202-957-1782. All requests for buttons or tee-shirts can be sent to Mike Roland. For further context, click here to read the Washington Informer’s recent article highlighting our current contract campaign status.
Upcoming Events, Activities & Meetings
- Oct 5 @ 1pm Planet Word, Building Literacy Resource Fair: Making School-to-Home Connections — Planet Word Museum
- Oct 8 @ 4:30PM – Rep Assembly Building Reps and Delegates to will receive a separate link to join as a panelist, INFORMATION
- Oct 9 @ 4:30PM - In-Person Retirement session, with DCPS, WTU and DC Retirement Board, 1200 1st St., NE, Room 1012A, REGISTRATION
- Oct 19 @ 2PM Brookland Middle School, Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars | Documentary Film
- Oct 19 @ 10:30AM -2PM, EmpowerEd, Teacher Voice Festival, Eastern Market – North Hall INFORMATION
PD and other opportunities
Membership Update
Make sure you are eligible to vote & receive WTU Communications!
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. To ensure that you’re not inadvertently removed from the distribution list, please confirm your personal email address by emailing [email protected].
Your ability to vote in WTU elections and receive WTU Communications depends on our ability to reach you. We must have your personal email address for all communications.
AM Brew News and Notices are archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
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