PWFT Advocate
Prince William Federation of Teachers
Taking Action on the 2015-2016 Member Survey
The results from our June survey of member priorities are guiding us in our advocacy for members during the school year beginning in September. Getting another step increase, with 38% of the vote, and a cost of living increase, which got 19%, will become our top priorities as the school board considers its budget for the next school year. We will continue to advocate for more class size and caseload reductions that 6% of survey participants supported.
Help with improvement plans, at 19%, has grown significantly as a widespread concern. We worked last year on the TIPA/PPP committee to voice your concerns about inconsistencies in the evaluation practices across the school system. This year we will be working with community groups, such as the local NAACP, in an effort to raise awareness of this issue and we’ll be reminding you regularly of the importance of timely action to resolve problems before they reach the stage where your job is on the line. Remember that we are your job protection union!
Also receiving votes were clearer rules for classified staff overtime (13%) and clarification of temporary workers’ sick leave, which is not presently accrued during school vacations, (6%). These will be addressed with central office administration during the Meet and Confer process beginning in September.
Remember toTake a Break at Our Labor Day Picnic
Many folks in the school system don’t plan much for Labor Day weekend in order to be ready for school the next day. But let us remind you that you deserve your holiday and this is the perfect way to celebrate the accomplishments of the labor movement.
Attached is a flier with the details about our annual Labor Day picnic. We have entertained the NoVa Labor Federation at Veterans’ Park in Woodbridge for the past 21 years and you and your family are invited to join us at noon on September 7th.
Reclaiming the Promise of Fairness by PWFT President Bill Hosp
We have finally settled our last dismissal appeal from the previous academic year and we have great news. We won! Our other cases ended with settlements partly because the members involved contacted us for assistance late in the process. In this case our member contacted us as soon as she knew there was going to be a problem. We took appropriate action, explored our options, presented her case and she got her job back.
Let me repeat what I wrote last month. The single most important action a member can take is to contact us as soon as you learn that your evaluator is not satisfied with your work. The earlier we get involved in a case the better your chances will be. This is what makes us the job protection union.
Member of the Month
Congratulations and many thanks to Sally Davis for representing us at the state AFL-CIO convention again this year. Sally represented us for many years in Richmond to lobby the Virginia General Assembly on matters of importance to teachers and school division employees. She has also been active in interviewing candidates for public office who seek the endorsement of PWFT, the NoVa Labor Federation, AFT and the AFL-CIO.