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Matt O'Connor via ActionNetwork.org moconnor@aftct.org Inside AFT CT: Your August E-Newsletter August 6, 2019 at 6:30 PM moconnor@aftct.org
Matt - here is your August, 2019 e-newsletter (with updates since early July): Proving "It Pays to Be Seen and Be Heard" * Our latest collective bargaining wins report highlighted benefits won for workers previously denied union representation and gains made by members in successor contract negotiations. Click here to learn more about how healthcare professionals and public employees overcame obstacles through engagement and organizing. Sharing How We're Shoring Up Educators' Pensions The Connecticut Education Association's (CEA) executive director joined AFT Connecticut President Jan Hochadel for our latest podcast, which addressed union members’ retirement security questions. Click here to listen to them interview State Treasurer Shawn Wooden on collaborative efforts to protect teachers' pensions. Defending Academic Freedom on a Global Stage Our state federation president in mid July joined her colleagues on the national AFT Executive Council at the Education International (EI) World Congress in Bangkok, Thailand. Click here to watch Jan Hochadel speak out for "safeguarding academic freedoms in higher education and research" worldwide. Demanding Public Service Loan Forgiveness * AFT Connecticut leaders in late July joined elected and state banking department officials to highlight our national union's legal action seeking student debt relief. Click here for a photo of Secretary-Treasurer David Hayes speaking at the capitol news briefing in Hartford. Earning the "Trust and Confidence of Our Members" State federation officers, divisional vice presidents and executive committee members elected at our 2019 convention in mid July took their official oaths of office. Click here for our report on these leaders' shared commitment to a labor movement that is "still growing."
Joining Social Justice Allies to "Keep Families Together" Our AFT Connecticut Social Justice Committee in mid July mobilized activists to join immigrants rights advocates in standing up to an unfair deportation. Click here for photos of the demonstration where a union member spoke out for his former student's family. Presenting to a National Audience of Educators Activists from across Connecticut in mid July traveled to Washington, DC to lead workshops at AFT's biennial Together Educating America's Children (TEACH) professional development conference. Click here for photos of the union leaders presenting on topics ranging from school safety to arts education. Empowering Caregivers with a "Seat at the Table" Technical professionals at Rockville General Hospital in mid July joined their nurse and healthcare colleagues in forming a local union affiliated with AFT Connecticut. Click here for our public announcement of their "step toward a fairer balance of power" with their employer. Upcoming Activities & Events August 13: USC Shoah Foundation ITEACH Bridgeport Seminar August 30: Connecticut AFL-CIO 6th Annual Labor Day Breakfast * September 10: Municipal Primary Election Day * October 3 -4: Connecticut AFL-CIO 2019 Constitutional Convention October 3: Connecticut United Labor Agency Reception & 40th Anniversary FundRaiser October 28: Connecticut SERC Paraeducator Development and Leadership Symposium Featured Benefit Union Plus: Personal Loan Stay Informed Click here to sign-up for e-mail updates. Click here to "like" our Facebook page. Click here to follow our Twitter feed. Click here to subscribe to our YouTube channel. Click here to subscribe to our Podbean channel. * Political info; dues-paying members can change their e-mail update content preferences by sending e-mail to ActNetReply@aftct.org.