AFT Local 1577

Making Gains "at Every Step of the Salary Scale"

Mon, 01/31/2022 - 6:30pm
The recent pattern begun last year of affiliated local unions negotiating contracts with solid pay increases has over the past 90 days continued to be repeated. Our latest collective bargaining report features one such affiliate whose leadership overcame historic inequities to win a ground-breaking new agreement in negotiations with their employer. Members' personal progress will additionally benefit the community they serve as the provisions promise to stabilize the workforce for years to come.
 

Giving Voice to "Overwhelmed" Educators

Mon, 05/18/2020 - 3:30pm
A third survey of teachers jointly coordinated by labor and media partners presented a complex picture of distance learning challenges during the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic. The effort was conducted at a critical time, helping guide the work of the official state "re-open" advisory group's education subcommittee. Union members' input ultimately proved instrumental in prioritizing student and staff safety, helping assure that buildings would remain closed for the current school year.
 
Click here for the full survey results.
 

"U & I in Union:" Stepping Up to Be an "Agent of Change"

Tue, 05/07/2019 - 4:30pm
The power of collective bargaining to make workplace improvements ranks among the most valuable benefits of labor representation. Union members participating in negotiations with their employer are empowered to overcome seemingly intractable challenges and insurmountable obstacles. We're lifting up the recent experience of PreK-12 teachers volunteering for fist-time bargaining team duty who made real, tangible breakthroughs in their new contract.
 

Teachers, Nurses and Public Employees Back Victor Funderburk to Lead Windham

Sat, 10/28/2017 - 9:30am
Willimantic - Citing his deep community roots and commitment to issues impacting working families, members of the 30,000-strong AFT Connecticut are supporting Victor Funderburk to serve as mayor of Windham. The labor federation's executive committee voted to add the retired educator to its slate of endorsed municipal candidates for the November 7 General Election. Members of affiliated unions last week participated in a local community canvass and are engaged in additional efforts to help "get out the vote" for Funderburk.
 

Protecting Immigrant Students, Educators and Caregivers

Sun, 02/19/2017 - 12:45pm
In classrooms and on campuses across the nation, undocumented youth, from preschoolers to college students, are terrified. Young people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status as well as visa-contingent educators and healthcare professionals fear that changing policies could jeopardize their safety. In an increasingly  hostile political climate, national, state and local union leaders have stepped up to defend communities, demand fairness and corral resources to help.
 
Click here for our national union's resources for immigrant communities.
 

Taking Our First Stand to "Keep Us Covered"

Wed, 01/25/2017 - 12:30pm
Tens of thousands of advocates, caregivers and elected officials earlier this month rallied in cities across the country to stand up to renewed threats to gut Americans' healthcare coverage. The nationwide protests were the first step to oppose attacks by congressional Republicans and the new president on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and vital supports like Medicare and Medicaid. Members of AFT Connecticut-affiliated unions braved the cold on January 15 for a demonstration quickly organized at the State Capitol in Hartford.
 

Spotlight: PreK-12 School Teachers

Mon, 10/05/2015 - 3:30pm
Today is World Teachers' Day, a global initiative to show appreciation for hardworking educators and raise public awareness of the many challenges facing the profession. It's also an opportunity to spotlight a few of our many union members in Connecticut who epitomize the slogan of this year's effort: "empowering teachers, building sustainable societies."
 
Click here for press coverage of World Teachers' Day.
 

Teachers at Windham Charter School Ratify First Contract

Thu, 06/11/2015 - 2:00pm
Willimantic - Teachers who educate the students of Path Academy Windham on Tuesday ratified a two-year contract with the school's administration and charter management organization, Our Piece of the Pie®, Inc. (OPP®) The members of the recently organized Windham Charter School Federation of Teachers (WCSFT) overwhelmingly approved the collective bargaining agreement negotiated in what educators describe as an atmosphere of mutual respect.
 

Educators' Voices Heard on ESEA Reauthorization

Tue, 03/17/2015 - 12:00pm
From grass-roots lobbying on Capitol Hill to a national telephone town hall to in-district meetings with elected officials, AFT members from across the country have focused on the all-important reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). AFT Connecticut-affiliated union members last week traveled to Washington, DC and met with U.S. Senator Chris Murphy in New Haven to press for a return to the original mission of the keystone federal law for K-12 education: equity.
 
Click here for photos of the meeting with Sen. Murphy.
 

Teachers Bring Lawmakers, Parents Together to Grow "Windham United for Great Schools" Movement

Mon, 10/07/2013 - 8:31am
Willimantic - Teachers are welcoming pledges of support from Windham's legislative delegation to address growing concerns over the State Department of Education (SDE)-directed "turn-around" of their local public schools. State Senator Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-29) and State Representative Susan Johnson (D-49) last Wednesday attended a forum on the issues organized by the union representing the district's teachers. There they pledged to continue collaboration with local stakeholders and to raise their concerns with the commissioner of SDE and the "Special Master" assigned by the department to Windham's schools.
 
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