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.

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, October 3, 2022

Teachers Deserve a Fair Contract

Upcoming Events:

Oct 11, 7 am at Tenleytown Metro – See flyer

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

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.

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.

FoodPrints

WTU staff partnered with parents, teachers, and local community in support of Watkins Elementary School’s FoodPrints program on Friday, September 30th. The program aims to integrate hands-on learning about healthy, nutritious eating into DC elementary schools. As you can see from the short video, we learned quite a bit from our young tutors thanks to their amazing teachers!

DCPS Strategic Planning

DCPS is currently hosting a series of listening sessions for communities, students, and DCPS staff to develop DCPS’ new 5-year strategic plan. DCPS hired Give Better Group to facilitate this process. Give Better Group is interviewing government officials and decision makers as part of this work. The founders’ bios are on their website (additionally, co-founder Jessica Rauch worked at DCPS under then-Chancellor Kaya Henderson during the first planning process). We encourage teachers to participate and share with their communities.

• DCPS strategic planning process for the next 5 years: https://dcpsstrong.com/strategic-plan/
• Community engagement sessions: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/dcps-strategic-plan-engagement-events-1114269
• Existing Capital Commitment Plan for 2017-2022: https://dcps.dc.gov/capitalcommitment
• Give Better Group: https://www.givebettergroup.com/

#RedforEd

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

Update your member email 

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

Monday, September 26, 2022

Teachers Deserve a Fair Contract

Join us on October 1 at the East End Market in Ward 7 to get out and explain that Teachers do not have a contract to the public. Click here for details and to sign-up.

A big shout-out to those who attended last Saturday’s H-Street Festival and agreed to be interviewed. Below please find a podcast representing the voices of many Union members. For the hearing impaired, we’ve a transcript available here. Thanks, again, for your participation last week and we hope to see you next Saturday, October 1!

WTU Podcast – Contract Campaign Outreach

Stay tuned for other campaign events. 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

DC Public School teachers report issues getting paid (fox5dc.com)

Student Debt Clinic

The WTU will host only 1 in person debt clinic on October 20 at Ballou Stay High School. Click here to download a flyer with additional details.

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.

Member Survey -- Check your spam folder if you did not receive a survey

The WTU is conducting a survey to gather member input on their concerns and contract priorities. The survey will only be sent to personal email addresses. The survey will NOT be sent to a DCPS email. Each member will receive a unique link. We encourage everyone to participate. Please compete this form to make sure we have your personal email.

Paid Family Leave

The DC Government Paid Leave Enhancement Amendment Act (B24-615) was approved unanimously on its first Council vote at the Legislative Meeting earlier this week.  The second vote will be Oct. 4, then it will go to the Mayor for signature, and then Congress before becoming law.

This will eventually bring paid leave for DC Government employees up to 12 weeks for parental, caregiving, or medical leave. Right now there is 8 weeks of parental and family care leave. The Committee was able to fund 2 weeks of personal medical leave starting in FY23 (more leave will require additional funding in future). The 2 weeks of medical leave will be available starting in January 2023, but if employees must take qualifying medical leave starting Oct. 1, 2022, and they have to use other leave (like sick time or annual leave), they can have that leave restored; or they can get retroactive leave if their time was unpaid. DCHR will be implementing this and will have more information available as January approaches.

#RedforEd

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

Updating 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

Monday, September 19, 2022

Teachers Deserve a Fair Contract

A HUGE Thank You to all members who attended the contract campaign events this past weekend Eliot-Hine and H St Festival. The public is very willing to help us – we have to get out and explain the situation to them. Click here to learn more see a short video from the event.

Stay tuned for other campaign events.

WTU in the News

• DC teachers union to urge public to push Bowser administration for a new contract
• DC school administrators to receive pay increase under new agreement with city​​
• District reaches deal with union representing principals

#RedforEd

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

WTU Endorsements

Last week, the WTU announced its endorsements for the 2022 November Elections.

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 get out and support our candidates!

Masks

DCPS continues to provide masks. All schools continue to order masks through the established system (QuickBase). The Operations POC at each school is responsible for placing those orders. Any questions can be sent to the SSO Specialist for the school and they can ensure the teacher gets connected to the right person at the school to request more masks.

Paychecks

If you were not paid last week, please check Peoplesoft today to see if your check dated Sept 6 & 23 has posted. Call your field rep if there are any problems.

Facility Concerns SY 22-23

Over the past two years, the WTU has met regularly to discuss facility issues with DCPS. Yet, many schools continue to have health and safety concerns. We ask that you let the WTU know of any health or safety concerns in your building by completing this brief form.

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.

Student Debt Clinics

The WTU and AFT will host student debt clinics.

September 29 and October 20

In a 90-minute session, AFT Student Debt Clinics provide information on how to enroll in income-driven student loan repayment programs and help in enrolling in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Registration links will be available soon!

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.

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, September 12, 2022

General Membership Meeting

September 13 @ 4:30 PM

Join via Zoom
Meeting ID: 939 669 4583

Passcode: 148566

Join President Pogue Lyons and the Executive Board to hear updates from the Union about upcoming programs and activities!

Click here for a timeline of the WTU/DCPS Contract Negotiations.

Committee on Political Education

At the WTU General Membership Meeting the WTU Committee on Political Education will present a motion to the members for their vote on who the WTU should endorse in the upcoming DC General Election:

The WTU Committee on Political Education (COPE) moves that the WTU endorse the following candidates in the 2022 General Election alongside our winning candidates from the DC Democratic Primary: 

DC State Board of Education:

Ward 1: Ben Williams  

Ward 3: Michael Sriqui 

Ward 5: Robert Henderson 

Ward 6: Joshua Wiley  

DC Council At-Large:

Elissa Silverman 

Karim Marshall 

Update your contact information 

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.

If you are removed, please contact Valerie Ashley at [email protected] to update your information and be re-added to the WTU mailing lists.

#RedforEd

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

Teachers Deserve a Fair Contract

Support the WTU at H Street Festival

Sign up to pass out handbills at the H St Festival on Saturday, September 17, 2022. We’ll be distributing flyers and talking to residents, urging them to call on Mayor Bowser to agree to a new contract.

Facility Concerns SY 22-23

Over the past two years, the WTU has met regularly to discuss facility issues with DCPS. Yet, many schools continue to have health and safety concerns. We ask that you let the WTU know of any health or safety concerns in your building by completing this brief form.

FMLA and LOA Claims

Please contact your WTU Field Representative if you are experiencing delays or you have questions regarding the processing of your FMLA and LOA claims with DCPS.

Student Debt Clinics

The WTU and AFT will host student debt clinics on September 29 and October 20

In a 90-minute session, AFT Student Debt Clinics provide information on how to enroll in income-driven student loan repayment programs and help in enrolling in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Registration links will be available soon!

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.

Monkeypox

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

Fall 2022 Professional Development Courses are Now OPEN

Download the full list of fall courses here.

Interested in new tips for how to integrate technology into the classroom? Join WTU Instructor Julian King in Best Practices of Integrating Technology to Enhance Student Engagement & Assessment as he shares how to create meaningful learning activities using technology.

Want to dive into the psychology and education of the exceptional student? Enroll in Dr. John Taylor's class on the Psychology and Education of Exceptional as he will give you practical tips on how to apply the psychological development of exceptional student to concrete classroom strategies. 

Learn how to promote social emotional learning in your own life so you can better assist students? If so, check out Dr. Persephone Brown's class or SEL for Adults!

And many more exciting opportunities to earn your PLUs.

Explore the Fall 2022 courses here.

Here's What's Brewing Today

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

#RedforEd

Please wear red each Friday and post photos to social media. Please tag the WTU on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

WTU Members from Kimball ES.

WTU Members in the News

Washington Post - Prince George’s, Montgomery, D.C. schools begin a new year

Washington Post - Navigating the wilderness, avoiding predators urban and rural

Facility Concerns SY 22-23

FMLA and LOA Claims

Please contact your WTU Field Representative if you are experiencing delays or you have questions regarding the processing of your FMLA and LOA claims with DCPS.

SPED concerns 

Teachers, and parents can contact the DC Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education with any concerns they have with special education. All communication is confidential.

Learn more about the Ombudsman’s services by clicking here and here.

Summer Pay – Regular Pay

Please visit Peoplesoft today and look for your pending check. There are often problems when DCPS transitions from summer pay to regular pay. Contact your Field Representative if there is any discrepancy.

3 Report incidents of Hate / Bias

DCPS is committed to being a whole-child, antiracist, equity-centered school district. This guide tells how to report allegations of hate/bias, discrimination, or harassment, and how allegations are addressed by the district. Learn more here.

Student Debt Clinic

The WTU and AFT will host additional student debt clinics. The dates and times will be announced in next week’s AM Brew.

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.

WTU Grants

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, August 29, 2022

Welcome to the 2022-2023 School Year! 

Every new school year brings great joy and happiness, not only for our students but for you, our teachers. As you open our classroom doors today to welcome your students, I hope that you will remember the optimism that made you an educator. And, I know that you will bring that joy and optimism to your students today and every day this school year.

As we start a new year, I'm reminded of the power of optimism. From COVID-19 to politician's censoring classroom discussion and curriculum, we have faced a lot together and as individuals over the past several years. Through it all, I have seen educators go above and beyond and remain optimistic despite all that has been thrown at our profession. It is because of the work that I've seen - opening your homes to students through virtual lessons, fighting to ensure our school librarians are funded, and winning protections for your health and that of your students - that I am optimistic about the future.

Today, as we start the new school year, I'm asking you asking you to get more involved with our Union to help us win a new - and fair - contract that will ensure that you are able to be effective and grow as educators and, most importantly, meet the needs of our students. I also ask that you welcome your new colleagues, whether they are new to your building or new to the profession, and encourage them to join the WTU if they are not already members. And, if new educators or other colleagues aren't receiving the AM Brew, please ask that they send their personal email to [email protected] asking to subscribe to the AM Brew and other important updates from our Union.

We can and will continue to overcome the challenges facing us. Your team at the WTU looks forward to serving you this year! Reach out to your Building Rep or Field Representative should you have any questions or concerns about working conditions or your Union. 

Together, we can and will make this the best school year yet!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers' Union

WTU members in the news

WTOP - Support, career growth: Educators talk about what could solve teacher shortages

Axios Washington - DCPS scrambles to prep buildings and students for another school year

Enroll Now – Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks

LAST CHANCE FOR VETERAN TEACHERS TO ENROLL / WITHDRAWL.

The WTU has extended the Open Enrollment Season for the Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks through September 2, but after that veteran teachers will not be able to join for the 2022-2023 school year. New Hires will be able to join during the entirety of the 2022-2023 school year. Also, if any members want to opt out of either bank they have until 9/2/2022 to do so.

The 8 hour donation required to join either bank will be taken out of your account on or after October 1, 2022, the beginning of the fiscal year.

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

If you are choosing to opt-out of either bank, please do so by September 2, by sending a formal request to Charmaine Wilks at [email protected]. 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.

Laptops

Every teacher in our bargaining unit should receive a laptop. If you have not received your laptop yet, please contact your principal. Supply card were distributed last week! Please contact your business manager if you did not receive your supply card. If you have any questions or difficulties, please contact your Field Representative.

Back-To-School Events

Thanks to everyone who volunteered at Back-To-School events this weekend in Wards 5 & 6. The WTU will be attending future events and we’d like you to volunteer. If you’d like WTU support at your Back-To-School events, please contact Regina Bell at [email protected].

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, August 22, 2022

Welcome to the 2022-2023 School Year! We have one week before we begin welcoming our students to our schools! As with every year, these last few days are filled with excitement. I look forward to giving you a preview of the upcoming year and answering your questions on Wednesday, August 24 at 6pm. 

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers' Union

WTU Town Hall Q & A with President Pogue Lyons

Aug 24, 2022 6:00 PM

https://aft.zoom.us/j/92624505093?pwd=RDh3VVFHckswUklwdjdCSzNLUnpZdz09

Passcode: 027091

WTU Settlement - School Counselors

As previously announced, WTU has reached a settlement with DCPS to settle the group grievance filed by WTU on behalf of School Counselors who worked additional days without pay from 2011 to 2016. WTU and DCPS have sent communications about the settlement to each person identified by DCPS as a counselor during that period. If you have not received a communication but believe the settlement should includeyou, please contact Maria Granone, Executive Director at [email protected] or call her at (202) 517-0729.

IMPACT Grievances

Please contact your Field Representative if you would like to file an IMPACT grievance. The deadline is September 1, 2022

Enroll Now – Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks

The WTU has extended the Open Enrollment Season for the Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks through September 2, but after that veteran teachers will not be able to join for the 2022-2023 school year. New Hires will be able to join during the entirety of the 2022-2023 school year. Also, if any members want to opt out of either bank they have until 9/2/2022 to do so.

The 8 hour donation required to join either bank will be taken out of your account on or after October 1, 2022, the beginning of the fiscal year.

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

If you are choosing to opt-out of either bank, please do so by September 2, by sending a formal request to Charmaine Wilks at [email protected]. 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.

Monkey Pox Update

D.C. public health officials expanded eligibility for the monkey pox vaccine Friday and loosened the residency requirement as a strategy to destigmatize the virus, even as the city sees record numbers of infections. Learn more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/08/12/dc-monkeypox-vaccine-eligibility/

Additional Resources:

• https://www.k12dive.com/news/5-best-practices-as-schools-brace-for-monkeypox/628870/
• https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/monkeypox/
• https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/specific-settings/congregate.html

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, August 15, 2022

Welcome to the 2022-2023 School Year! As new educators begin their New Educator Orientation this week, we hope that you will welcome them and invite them to join the WTU!

As we begin all begin the New Year, the WTU wants you to know that we are here to support you. We are in constant communication with DCPS about teacher and staff vacancies and we continue to monitor the public health crisis. We are working closely with DCPS and members of the city council to ensure that HVAC systems are properly circulating air and that our buildings remain safe. And, we are continuing to pressure DCPS to agree to a new contract to improve your working conditions and secure a much needed pay increase for educators.

I invite you all to join me for a Town Hall on Wednesday, August 24^th to hear an update on these and more issues. Or please reach out to your Field Representative should you have questions or concerns as we kick-off the 2022-2023 school year.

The entire WTU team wishes you an exciting and productive school year.

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

WTU Town Hall Q & A with President Pogue Lyons

Wednesday, Aug 24, 2022 at 6:00 PM

https://aft.zoom.us/j/92624505093?pwd=RDh3VVFHckswUklwdjdCSzNLUnpZdz09

Passcode: 027091

Summary of Contract Negotiations

WTU and DCPS have officially reached an impasse in contract negotiations after DCPS presented a “last, best, and final” offer that was simply unacceptable to the hard-working Teachers of the District of Columbia and also rejected the WTU’s attempts to continue negotiations. Accordingly, on July 28, 2022, the WTU filed a notice of impasse with the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) and requested impasse resolution regarding both compensation and non-compensation matters in the CBA. The PERB determined that the Parties are at impasse, referred the case to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service for the assignment of a Mediator, and is in the process of requesting a Mediator agreed upon by WTU and DCPS. Once a Mediator is appointed, WTU and DCPS will attempt to reach an agreement with the help of the Mediator. If the Parties are unable to reach an agreement within a set time frame, the PERB will appoint an Arbitrator or Board of Arbitration, who will conduct a formal hearing in which the Parties present their positions and decide any unresolved issues in an Interest Arbitration Award.

2022 WTU Leadership

Click here.

WTU Field Representatives

Click here.

IMPACT Grievances

Please contact your Field Rep if you would like to file an IMPACT grievance.
The deadline is September 1, 2022

Monkey Pox Update

D.C. public health officials expanded eligibility for the monkey pox vaccine Friday and loosened the residency requirement as a strategy to destigmatize the virus, even as the city sees record numbers of infections. Learn more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/08/12/dc-monkeypox-vaccine-eligibility/

Additional Resources

https://www.k12dive.com/news/5-best-practices-as-schools-brace-for-monkeypox/628870/

https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/monkeypox/

https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/specific-settings/congregate.html

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, August 8, 2022

Coming soon! WTU Town Hall

Week of August 22^nd. Stay tuned for details.

Monkeypox

WTU is working with DCPS and closely monitoring Monkeypox, the latest public health emergency.
Additional information about this viral disease and vaccine can be found at the links below.

Monkeypox | doh (dc.gov)
Monkeypox vaccine information for D.C., Maryland and Virginia - The Washington Post

Extended Enrollment – Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks

The WTU has extended the Open Enrollment Season for the Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks through August 31, 2022. The 8 hour donation required to join either bank will be taken out of your account on or after October 1, 2022, the beginning of the fiscal year. You will not be allowed to join after August 31, 2022.

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

If you are choosing to opt-out of either bank, please do so by August 31, by sending a formal request to Charmaine Wilks at [email protected].

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.

Student Debt Clinic

AFT is hosting ongoing 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.

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, August 1, 2022

WTU Members -

I wanted to clarify a few issues that have been swirling around contract negotiations this summer. Statements by the leadership of the city and school district have clouded the status of negotiations. But their carefully selected words do not fully represent what is really happening. Let me clear it up.

First, although the school district has tried their best to blame the WTU for the delay, please ask yourself who benefits from this delay—the teachers or the city’s coffers? By not agreeing to a contract, the city essentially “pockets” the money that would be allocated for your pay increases. In fact, this has been their “MO” for years. WTU’s contracts and many other city workers’ contracts are routinely settled years after they expire. To imply the WTU is reason for the delay is complete nonsense and just a part of the city’s way of doing business—blame the unions.

Importantly, this line from a July 8th story in the Washington Post, “Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee said the sticking point in the labor contract is compensation” was news to the WTU negotiating team. While I understand the political need for the Chancellor to erroneously place the blame on the WTU for public consumption, compensation has not been “the” sticking point for DCPS. And the WTU team has pages of receipts to prove it. DCPS made it clear to WTU they have other priorities. Again, who benefits from this misdirection? But more about this later.

As for the WTU’s actual compensation proposal, all I am allowed to say is it in very much in line with other settlements in urban school districts around the country and reasonable given the district’s budget situation. Any other characterizations of our compensation proposal are not accurate. Here are DCPS’s operating budget numbers for the years in question (readily available on Internet):

FY 2019 (actual) = $1,012,124,685

FY 2020 (actual) = $1,082,912,343

FY 2021 (actual) = $1,142,377,778

FY 2022 (approved) = $1,322,728,419 (Federal stimulus funds included)

FY 2023 (proposed) = $1,162,122,368

During the time teachers have received zero cost of living increases, the school district’s annual operating budget increased by almost $150 million or more than 14.8%. And that does not include the federal stimulus money that the US Secretary of Education specifically said can be used to increase teacher recruitment and retention. So where does the additional $150 million per year and stimulus money go? And for that matter, where does $1,162,122,368 go? A good question for people to ask. A question more people in our city should ask.

But let me be clear: although the Chancellor failed to mention them, he and his team have put other consequential proposals on the table that have nothing to do with compensation. These proposals would further undermine the rights of DC’s teachers. And the Chancellor and his team have said to the WTU team many times that these proposals are their priortiy—not compensation.

Asking DC’s teachers to give up even more rights is unconscionable. DC’s teachers already have fewer rights than most other urban teachers in the country (e.g., lack of tenure, no say in evaluations). Make no mistake: DCPS has made it clear that these proposals to reduce your rights are their priority, regardless of what the Chancellor has told the press. Again, the WTU has the paperwork to prove it.

What does all this mean? The WTU has and will continue to work hard to come to an agreement. But the city’s current offer is not acceptable and would have been a major step back for DC’s teachers. I do agree with the Chancellor on one thing: we can get this done. But we will only settle the contract if the parties are honest with each other and the public. If it takes mediation or arbitration for that to happen, then that’s what needs to happen.

Have a restful time and I look forward to seeing you in the fall.

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

WTU In The News

WHUR -Why Are Teachers Quitting?

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