Announcements
Tonight Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It now awaits President Obama's signature. This is a remarkable accomplishment made possible by the commitment and leadership of President Obama, House Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Reid, and by your activism. I want to thank each and every one of you for your hard work in helping get this important bill passed. The flood of support and activism from AFT members has been truly remarkable. Through the union's "Fight for America's Future: It's Dollars and Sense" campaign, members across the country have come together to fight for this recovery bill, from sending more than 30,000 letters and placing thousands of calls to Congress, to meeting with congressional and state elected leaders, to wearing blue in solidarity on Feb. 10, "Unity Day." We have received over 150 Unity Day photos from members, which are posted on a slideshow on the campaign Web site. As a result of your hard work, the bill includes:
The AFT's voice was heard loud and clear in the months and days leading up to passage of this important piece of legislation. But passing the recovery bill is merely the first step. The next step is to ensure the funds are invested wisely. We will continue to get our message out, now at the state and local levels, to guarantee that the funding provided for in this package is used to support and strengthen public education, healthcare and the other public services so vital to our nation's growth and stability. In unity, |
Arbitraton Ruling
February 10, 2009
Colleagues,
The long-awaited ruling in the CCFT-District arbitration case has been delivered to CCFT. I am pleased to announce to the membership that the arbitrator found in favor of CCFT on nearly every issue (with two minor exceptions). This is an important victory for CCFT, vindication for the faculty member who filed the grievance which led to the arbitrator's ruling, and should serve as notice to management that CCFT will not allow the due process rights of our members to be compromised.
I am working with our attorneys to determine which findings should be shared with the membership. I'll address that in my listserv message on Monday.
Regards,
Allison Merzon
Health and Physical Education Faculty Member
CCFT President
Cuesta College
Fight for America's Future: It's Dollars and Sense
February 9, 2009
Tuesday, Feb. 10, is a great opportunity to show the nation that "Fight for America’s Future: It’s Dollars and Sense" is OUR campaign.
On that day, your AFT friends and colleagues will wear blue to work, participating in a coast-to-coast Unity Day that will show every AFT member is behind the union’s effort to restore the economy—and put the nation on track for long-term recovery—by making wise investments in schools, colleges, healthcare and other vital public services.
We need you to wear blue tomorrow—and convince friends to do the same. Print out this flier and pass it to colleagues in your workplace. Tell them how important it is to participate in Unity Day—massive participation will make policymakers at every level sit up and take notice.
Watch our Fight for America's Future commercial |
Tell them that Unity Day is a springboard that lays the groundwork for the future of our campaign, when AFT activists will be taking our message to governors, legislators, school boards and other key groups charged with keeping the public sector strong.
Tell your friends and co-workers that Unity Day is the right action at the right time. When AFT leaders from across the nation traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to press for a strong recovery plan, lawmakers told them time and again that grass-roots advocacy could make the difference in getting a strong law through Congress.
AFT e-Activist Network
House Takes Critical First Step
February 3, 2009
On Jan. 28, the House passed its $819 billion version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This bill recognizes that helping states make strategic investments in education and other vital services is key to invigorating our economy and climbing out of this recession. Debate is now under way in the Senate on its economic recovery bill, and Majority Leader Harry Reid has set a goal of passing a bill by week’s end.
Tomorrow is Lobby Day!
More than 40 AFT members from 20-plus targeted states will be meeting with U.S. senators and staff tomorrow in Washington, D.C. The purpose of these meetings is to ensure that the economic recovery plan being considered in the Senate maintains at least the same level of investment and support for education and other public services as the bill passed by the House. You can participate in Lobby Day by writing your senators and urging them to reject any amendments to eliminate or reduce funding for these important priorities.
Wear blue on Feb. 10, AFT Unity Day!
Action on Capitol Hill is vital, but it is only the start. We need to build on this momentum by showing policymakers at every level how critical it is to support wise public investments that can revitalize America and lay the groundwork for long-term, sustainable growth. Help us make our case to communities across America; participate in the AFT’s Unity Day on Feb. 10 by wearing blue to work.
You’ll be joining thousands of friends and colleagues from locals across the nation who will speak with one loud, clear voice in this fight for America’s future. Colleagues like Suzanne Schaeffer, a teacher in Ormond Beach, Fla., who recently shared her story with the AFT. "Families at my school have been hit hard," she says, "with many parents losing their jobs and sometimes their homes. Since we no longer have a free breakfast program, more young children are starting school each day hungry. Severe cutbacks in funding mean fewer adults in the classroom."
Share your story!
This campaign is driven by the experiences and stories of members like you. Decision-makers need to hear the personal toll that the economy is having on you, the people you serve, your family and your community. Visit the "Fight for America’s Future: It’s Dollars and Sense" Web site and share your experiences and thoughts on the economic crisis and the path to lasting recovery.
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Please email your suggestions to mcleeves@cuesta.edu