From: Subject: Date: To:
Matt O'Connor via ActionNetwork.org moconnor@aftct.org Inside AFT CT: Your February E-Newsletter February 5, 2020 at 6:30 PM moconnor@aftct.org
Union Member - here is your February, 2020 e-newsletter (with updates since early January): Improving Pay and Benefits for New and Veteran Members Alike Our latest report on collective bargaining victories showcases "the union difference" for working people, regardless of how long they've been in the labor movement. Click here to learn about recent wins at the negotiating table by PreK-12 educators and healthcare professionals. Learning More About the Role of Hospitals in State and Local Finances * AFT Connecticut's president and the vice president of our affiliated Backus Nurses union interviewed a legislative leader for a podcast episode on budgetary issues. Click here for Jan Hochadel and Jessica Harris' conversation with state Representative Sean Scanlon on nonprofit hospitals. Making the Case to Lawmakers for Prioritizing the Public Good * State legislative leaders in late January toured UConn Health and heard first-hand from caregivers and support staff concerned about ongoing threats of privatization. Click here for photos of the event where union members defended the value of Connecticut's only public hospital. Resisting Policies that "Go Hand-in-Hand with Segregation and Isolation" Local and state union leaders in late January reacted to the settlement of the 30-year old Sheff v. O'Neill, et al. desegregation lawsuit. Click here for our report on the ongoing fight against "disinvestment and neglect" of Hartford's traditional neighborhood schools. Demanding "Justice for Jalene" Nurses in mid January organized solidarity actions at Backus Hospital in support of their local union's chief steward who had previously been unjustly terminated. Click here for photos of members wearing "Justice for Jalene" bracelets ahead of arbitration hearings on the matter.
Standing in Solidarity #4EveryStudent Our state federation president in mid January reiterated "our collective responsibility to fund our future" in a letter of support to Florida union leaders. Click here for our statement of solidarity for legislative action being organized that day in the Sunshine State. Demonstrating How Collaboration Boosts Student Learning Connecticut's education department commissioner in mid January joined state and local union leaders, members and administrators to observe innovation at work in Waterford Public Schools. Click here for photos of the tour in which educators showed how they're working to empower student learning. Judging Contracts by "How Much Good they Do" A recent report on state employees' 2017 master agreement reinforces the need for policymakers to change how they measure outcomes produced by collective bargaining. Click here for more on Comptroller Kevin Lembo's analysis of the billions in savings produced by union members. Upcoming Activities & Events February 11: Financial Planning Workshop for All Members February 26: PreK-12/PSRP Managing Student Behavior Workshop February 29: 2020 Legislative Conference * March 3: PreK-12/PSRP Culturally Responsive Pedagogy Workshop March 10-14: CPR, AED & First Aid Refresher & Full Courses March 14-28: Regional Legislative Meetings (5 Locations) * March 16: PreK-12/PSRP ADHD Professional Development Workshop March 23: Healthcare "Legal Issues" Training Workshop March 24-26: Share My Lesson 2020 "Virtual Conference" March 31: PreK-12 & PSRP Autism Panel Workshop Featured Benefit AFT: Scholarships 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. * Includes political info; dues-paying members can change their e-mail update content preferences by sending e-mail to ActNetReply@aftct.org.