WHAT'S NEW: Supreme Court to hear 3% case

The Michigan Supreme Court has decided to consider an appeal filed by Governor Snyder regarding the "3% retirement" case. This is an appeal of the Michigan Court of Appeals' directive that the State of Michigan refund--with interest--the money involuntarily withheld from the paychecks of all public school employees under a 2010 amendment to the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement Act.

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WHAT'S NEW: Assignment letters emailed to Members

We've learned that 2017-18 school year assignment letters have been emailed to Members. Please check your DPSCD email for the information. 

WHAT'S NEW: AFT Leaders Respond to Hearing on Gary B. v. Snyder Case in Detroit

Statement of American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, AFT Michigan President David Hecker and Detroit Federation of Teachers President Ivy Bailey following an August 10 hearing in the Gary B. v. Snyder case, which focuses on literacy in and funding of Detroit schools:

“The pattern and practice of disinvestment in our schools is staggering and betrays our obligation to provide all children the well-resourced public schools they need and deserve. Thirty-six states are still spending less on public schools than they did before the Great Recession, and the city of Detroit offers the most striking evidence of what happens to children when we defund our schools.

“Detroit’s teachers are committed to doing everything they can to help the children of Detroit succeed, but we need investment in our children, our schools and our profession. We stand with the children and families bringing this suit because we can no longer tolerate unsafe and unhealthy learning conditions; outdated or nonexistent learning materials; and inadequate investment in the capacity, professional development, and recruitment and retention of Detroit’s teachers, while, at the same time, unaccountable charter schools drain even more resources from public schools. We are fighting for safe and healthy schools, learning conditions and materials that engage kids, and the training and support we need to improve our craft.

“The state created these poor learning conditions, and now Gov. Rick Snyder and Attorney General Bill Schuette are further abdicating their responsibility to the children of Detroit by moving to dismiss this case. All these children and families are asking for is what we owe all families—great, well-resourced public schools where parents want to send their kids, teachers want to teach, and children are engaged.”

Quick Updates

-8/10/17

Implementation of Pension Contribution Increase
It is expected that the additional 1.5% pension contributions will be applied to the final 21 paychecks of FY18.  This means that the full year's worth of contributions is expected be deducted starting with the first paycheck in September and will be at approximately 1.86% for the remainder of this fiscal year and then return to 1.5% starting next fiscal year.

Implementation of "Furlough Day Payments"
It is expected that the "furlough" expenses will also be deducted for the final 21 paychecks of FY18.  This means that the 24hrs of furlough time could begin to be deducted with the first paycheck in September and will be worth roughly 1.14 hrs per paycheck for the remainder of FY18 and then return to $0 starting next fiscal year.

12 Point Plan for Systemic Change
The SEBAC agreement and the Union contracts barely passed the Senate (19-18 vote) and narrowly passed the House (78-72).  There were 3 Senators (Hartley, Doyle, Slossberg) who voted in favor of the agreements but under the condition that their 12 Point Plan for Systemic Change be addressed during the budget negotiations.  Several of the 12 points limit collective bargaining for State Employees.  Their 12 Point Plan runs as follow:

  1. Define in statute the definition of ''Impairment of Contract."
  2. Define in statute the state’s “ability to pay”
  3. After expiration of SEBAC in 2027, no COLAs for pensions negotiated in SEBAC but set by statute
  4. After expiration of SEBAC in 2027, overtime shall not be included in pension calculations except for mandatory overtime required for public health or safety purposes.
  5. After the expiration of SEBAC in 2027, no future SEBAC Agreements shall be longer than four years.
  6. Create a mechanism for review and certification of 2017 SEBAC savings
  7. Vote on all state union contracts
  8. Create a Teachers Retirement System Viability Commission to ensure the sustainability of the TRB
  9. Create a Pension Legacy Debt Commission to develop a liability asset management plan.
  10. Establish a cap on State of Connecticut bonding
  11. Create a Volatility Cap for Capital Gains income tax receipts
  12. Create an Expenditure Cap based upon Consensus Revenue

Targeting state employees has become a political sport for many legislators.  Our livelihoods have become their political fodder.  Many have vowed to continue their attacks.  During this budget cycle, we need to show solidarity.  With a show of strength, we can thwart the plans of those individuals and those policies that continue to seek diminishment of employee rights and shaming employees who do the work of the State.  This was not always the way our legislators operated.  Unfortunately, this is the disgraceful path that many are taking.  Our work is honorable.  We are "a Union of Professionals", providing valuable services to the citizens of Connecticut.   It takes a talented, educated, trained workforce to provide such services.  We need to promote our professionalism and hold our heads high.  We need to stand up for ourselves and make it tougher for those in the legislature who want to demonize us.

Welcome DOT Transportation Managers
AFTCT's Eric Borlaug was again able to organize a group of 11 DOT Transportation Managers and assist them in joining A&R.  The State voluntarily recognized 11 employees as eligible to unionize and we welcome them as our newest A&R members.  There remains another group from DOT which is being contested by the State and will face another hearing at the State Labor Board in their efforts to unionize.

New Membership Cards Begin To Circulate
Under the shadow of an impending US Supreme Court case, A&R needs to file and maintain a new A&R membership card from every employee.  This process will begin soon but will take some time.  We will be reaching out to all members over the course of the next year, but if you do see the new card circulating, please grab one and complete it.

HEP Reminder
Reminder to complete your required HEP appointments for 2017.  A&R had 105 non-compliant members in 2016 and this number should be much lower.  Remember, the consequences of non-compliance are increased premiums payments and a deductible of $350 per person covered.

A&R Committees Forming/renewing
The union is run by union members.  Now is the best time to get involved by joining a committee --  committee chairs are in the process of appointing their committee members.  Committees of the Union are where the rubber meets the road.  At the committee level, you have direct input as to how the union provides services to the members and how the union conducts its affairs.  Join a committee and have a direct say.  Below is a list of the union's Standing Committees.  If your are interested in being involved on some level or in some way contact the following committee chairs directly or email mmyles@andr.org.

Become A Member of Aldine AFT!!!

Aldine AFT, local 6345 is the largest education association in Aldine ISD. Join us by clicking here.

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