Paraprofessionals & School-Related Personnel (PSRP)

Note - updates on the impact of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) outbreak on non-certified education staff and members of PSRP local unions will be linked here.
 
Click here for AFT's online forum with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director (Jul 31, 2020).
 
 
Click here for a memo outlining members' workplace safety-related speech protections (Jul. 21, 2020).
 
Click here for the state Department of Education (SDE)'s "Adapt, Advance, Achieve" webinar (Jul. 9, 2020).
 
Click here for SDE's blueprint for reopening school buildings (Jun. 25, 2020).
 
Click here for our national union's webinar on safely "reopening" (Jun. 3, 2020).
 
Click here to access SDE's "Superintendent’s Digest” portal (May 4, 2020).
 
Click here for the UConn Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities’ updates and resources (Apr. 30, 2020).
 
Click here to access Share My Lesson's resources for English Language Learner (ELL)s (Apr. 16, 2020).
 
Click here to access EASTCONN's supporting special populations webinar series for paras (Apr. 6, 2020).
 
Click here to access SDE's “Special Education” portal (Apr. 6, 2020). 
 
Click here for Share My Lesson’s remote learning community resources (Mar. 25, 2020).
 
Click here for our national union's COVID-19 resources for education support staff (Mar. 23, 2020).
 
Click here for the federal education department website's COVID-19 resources for schools (Mar. 21, 2020).
 
Click here or the official state COVID-19 website's school resources page (Mar., 19, 2020).
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AFT Connecticut represents thousands of school-related personnel (PSRP) in local and regional districts across the state. PSRPs work as paraprofessionals, teaching assistants, tutors, secretaries, school nurses, custodians and others who provide critical services that support student learning. From contract negotiations to professional development, AFT Connecticut works to secure the pay, benefits, conditions and respect they deserve as both professionals and “the engine that keeps their schools running.”
 
Click here to follow our national union’s PSRP Twitter feed.
 
Click here for the state education department website's School Paraprofessional Advisory Council page.
 

Making Gains through the "Power of Solidarity"

Tue, 06/19/2018 - 5:30pm
On any given day of the year, leaders of one or more of AFT Connecticut’s 90 plus affiliates are exercising their fundamental collective bargaining rights. Whether negotiating contract terms or representing colleagues in a dispute with their employer, they're "at the table" to win better wages, benefits and working conditions. We're highlighting recent examples from the past three months demonstrating what the power of the "U and I in Union" can accomplish.
 

Helping Fellow Members "Improve their Practice"

Fri, 05/25/2018 - 5:30pm
As a democratic labor organization, AFT Connecticut adheres to the principle of local unions governed "of members, by members and for members." These values are evident in our professional development (PD) program, which relies less on big name experts and more on trusted colleagues to teach valuable career advancement and labor leadership skills. It is in this cooperative atmosphere that members can share their passion and expertise with each other.
 

"U & I in Union:" Winning Labor Peace in the Workplace

Fri, 04/27/2018 - 12:30pm
The lion's share of analysis of current corporate-backed attempts to undermine collective bargaining rights have focused on their impact on employees' wages, health and retirement benefits. Yet, the ability to negotiate better working conditions often proves as valuable as regular raises or affordable medical coverage. In another example of the "union difference," we're sharing the story of how contract language for resolving conflicts provided recourse for a paraprofessional facing a hostile workplace.
 

Gearing Up to Defeat a "Let Them Eat Cake" Approach

Fri, 03/09/2018 - 8:40am
Less than three months after its inaugural meeting, the legislative Commission on Fiscal Stability and Economic Growth last Friday released its draft recommendations (below) to the General Assembly. Considering the panel's domination by corporate executives, their proposals are unsurprisingly heavily tilted in favor of the ultra-rich. Still, their plan to silence the voices of Connecticut's working men and women are cause for genuine concern — and a call to action.
 
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