The “union”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The difference between a union and a professional association is that a union has formal bargaining rights, meaning that they have a formalized relationship with the employer whereby they are allowed to negotiate terms of employment (e.g., pay, benefits, working conditions) on behalf of employees.

And in the state of Virginia, public sector collective bargaining rights will go into affect this spring.

NEA has a TON of money backing FEA.

So if you are a teacher in Fairfax then they are your union and they speak for you.

What about APFE and FCFT?

Collective bargaining doesn’t take effect automatically.

The Fairfax County BOS has pretty clearly signaled that they are going to approve it and VEA has stated that asking for it is their biggest priority this year.

I don't know about the surrounding districts in VA because I don't live there and haven't looked, but it's a virtual lock for Fairfax Co.

Just look at the makeup of the school board and board of supervisors, they all campaigned on it.

Also the NOVA reps in the state house cheered it's passing last year.

FEA has NEAs backing, so they are going to elbow out the other associations.

This is why I get made when people say Kim Adams and FEA only speak for 3% of teachers, or they aren't a real union. She is going to be reping you all in collective bargaining before the end of the year. She has eyes for a national role and there is no better way to get there then press coverage and work stoppages.

Buckle up, this is just the beginning.

+1. I can’t even. Next fall is going to be a nightmare. But Kim Adams is going to come out with a big promotion.

[Anonymous]

I agree it is shocking to see so many teachers not realize that we are 4 months way from Kim Adams / FEA being sanctioned to speak on their behalf.

I to am a union member (ALPA) and have been very active within the union only to bring a moderate voice to leadership (I hate the work). But if membership is not willing to fight to have the groups voice properly heard then you only get the radicals speaking on your behalf.

So again, you can say FEA / Kim Adams is some sort of crazy who does not represent you. But unless you get involved you are at her will.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone read the actual statement out out by FEA vs the off the cuff remake made at a mtg. Where emotions run high.

"The FEA is ONLY supportive of a return to in-person instruction AFTER the staff involved directly with in-person instruction, feeding, and transport have received BOTH doses of COVID-19 vaccine and we have given them the 7-14-day period after the second dose to ensure the 95% effectiveness stated by the vaccine manufacturer.

We believe the earliest date for in-person instruction to be Tuesday, March 2. Dr. Brabrand has shared that his plan will start February 16. FEA is asking for you to do what is right by your employees and students and extend his plan by at least 2 weeks.

Please note, while FEA would support a plan that incorporates March 2, it is also important to understand that the case numbers will still matter for our students and families in the county. We cannot safely return students to our buildings before the case data begins to decline. The cases today are at 726.5 cases per 100,000 residents. That is well over the school metric of 200 cases per 100,000 residents in our county. If this data is not in decline before March 2, we do not believe it is safe for our students to be in-person."

https://mailchi.mp/9503bc17eff8/covid19-fea-letter-fcps-board-jan22?e=300d33bb26

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The difference between a union and a professional association is that a union has formal bargaining rights, meaning that they have a formalized relationship with the employer whereby they are allowed to negotiate terms of employment (e.g., pay, benefits, working conditions) on behalf of employees.

And in the state of Virginia, public sector collective bargaining rights will go into affect this spring.

NEA has a TON of money backing FEA.

So if you are a teacher in Fairfax then they are your union and they speak for you.

What about APFE and FCFT?

Collective bargaining doesn’t take effect automatically.

The Fairfax County BOS has pretty clearly signaled that they are going to approve it and VEA has stated that asking for it is their biggest priority this year.

I don't know about the surrounding districts in VA because I don't live there and haven't looked, but it's a virtual lock for Fairfax Co.

Just look at the makeup of the school board and board of supervisors, they all campaigned on it.

Also the NOVA reps in the state house cheered it's passing last year.

FEA has NEAs backing, so they are going to elbow out the other associations.

This is why I get made when people say Kim Adams and FEA only speak for 3% of teachers, or they aren't a real union. She is going to be reping you all in collective bargaining before the end of the year. She has eyes for a national role and there is no better way to get there then press coverage and work stoppages.

Buckle up, this is just the beginning.

+1. I can’t even. Next fall is going to be a nightmare. But Kim Adams is going to come out with a big promotion.

Teachers will get collective bargaining. Schools will open in the fall but only hybrid and it will stay that way the entire school year. That way the union can say teachers did not violate a social contract by getting the vaccine before others. See, they did go back to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am teacher and I am so confused about this collective that I am supposed to be a part of. Is it a union or not? What makes an association a true union?
Right now all I know is that some woman I don’t know and who seems a bit ”batscheize” gets to speak “for teachers” at SB meetings. Why does she get to speak? Because nowhere on her Christmas list of demands are the things I would ask for - smaller class sizes, real textbooks, better working conditions (cleaner, ventilated), and unfrozen step increases.

I have a strong feeling this FEA lady gets to speak because she DOES ask for stupid, unreasonable stuff no one wants and she gives Braband an easy target. I don’t know.

I’d like to go back to school and teach. What is the hold up? The concurrent equipment they need so they can accommodate everyone and make everyone equally detest school? The “required distancing” we know they can’t do because, c’mon, my school is overflowing. The vaccines that are stalled?

Apparently, WaPo and the community seem to think teachers are on some sort of “strike” - a strike of LOAs and ADAs. Well, why did leadership grant so many of them if this was going to be such a problem?

Yeah, so I will just go back to teaching through the computer while you all figure this out. I am doing the best I can.

OP, we worked at the state level and locally for smaller class sizes and real textbooks and better ventilation and it was the teacher's unions and the current school board that fought against these or at least wouldn't support them in full. And the republicans wouldn't support extra money although agreed in principle. They wanted other things cut first. Each side likes to use these things as tools/weapons to get their pet projects approved.

Why would “the union” work against you? Who are these people and why do they get to represent “teachers?” What gives them that authority?
We absolutely need smaller class sizes. That would be issue number one on my wish list.

Because that would then mandate them to provide it as part of their budget and they want flexibility. Class sizes and books aren't flash and they aren't as large a priority as other pet projects. They are fine with asking for more money for them though on a volunteer basis. Republicans are against more money and want to see cuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone read the actual statement out out by FEA vs the off the cuff remake made at a mtg. Where emotions run high.

"The FEA is ONLY supportive of a return to in-person instruction AFTER the staff involved directly with in-person instruction, feeding, and transport have received BOTH doses of COVID-19 vaccine and we have given them the 7-14-day period after the second dose to ensure the 95% effectiveness stated by the vaccine manufacturer.

We believe the earliest date for in-person instruction to be Tuesday, March 2. Dr. Brabrand has shared that his plan will start February 16. FEA is asking for you to do what is right by your employees and students and extend his plan by at least 2 weeks.

Please note, while FEA would support a plan that incorporates March 2, it is also important to understand that the case numbers will still matter for our students and families in the county. We cannot safely return students to our buildings before the case data begins to decline. The cases today are at 726.5 cases per 100,000 residents. That is well over the school metric of 200 cases per 100,000 residents in our county. If this data is not in decline before March 2, we do not believe it is safe for our students to be in-person."

https://mailchi.mp/9503bc17eff8/covid19-fea-letter-fcps-board-jan22?e=300d33bb26

She's doubled down on her statement, so I wouldn't call it an off-the-cuff remark. She's been willing to repeat it to the media and FEA has tweeted out things about kids' vaccines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone read the actual statement out out by FEA vs the off the cuff remake made at a mtg. Where emotions run high.

"The FEA is ONLY supportive of a return to in-person instruction AFTER the staff involved directly with in-person instruction, feeding, and transport have received BOTH doses of COVID-19 vaccine and we have given them the 7-14-day period after the second dose to ensure the 95% effectiveness stated by the vaccine manufacturer.

We believe the earliest date for in-person instruction to be Tuesday, March 2. Dr. Brabrand has shared that his plan will start February 16. FEA is asking for you to do what is right by your employees and students and extend his plan by at least 2 weeks.

Please note, while FEA would support a plan that incorporates March 2, it is also important to understand that the case numbers will still matter for our students and families in the county. We cannot safely return students to our buildings before the case data begins to decline. The cases today are at 726.5 cases per 100,000 residents. That is well over the school metric of 200 cases per 100,000 residents in our county. If this data is not in decline before March 2, we do not believe it is safe for our students to be in-person."

https://mailchi.mp/9503bc17eff8/covid19-fea-letter-fcps-board-jan22?e=300d33bb26

Right, so they are now saying the RTS timeline currently being proposed is a no go. That cases need to drop to 200 / 100,000, which even with vaccines won't happen until April at the earliest. And that they will not return until the teachers, bus rivers and cafeteria workers are all vaccinated (god knows when that is going to happen now).

So basically they are saying they do not want to return this spring at all.

[Anonymous]

Remember that FEA and AFT are only advocating for teachers. They don't advocate for students. Seems as if the students are the ones without a voice.....

So, parents - BE VOCAL!!! Do not let these unions run the school system. They don't care about your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Remember that FEA and AFT are only advocating for teachers. They don't advocate for students. Seems as if the students are the ones without a voice.....

So, parents - BE VOCAL!!! Do not let these unions run the school system. They don't care about your kids.

Parents can only be so vocal. When the SB ignores your calls and emails and slots to speak at SB meetings fill up within minutes of the sign-up opening up, yet Kim Adams gets to speak at each meeting, it's a little tough.

Yet parents keep persisting. Feel free to advocate along with us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's so frustrating, because there are no real unions allowed in VA. They have to call themselves associations even if they are unions in other states, because they are not allowed to bargain for teachers.

However, that doesn't stop them from trying to represent teachers - teachers who mostly aren't interested in them. So it's frustrating when, as a teacher, you see that FEA or one of the other three associations are getting air time at school board meetings when actual teachers have no significant voice or participation in those groups.

It's also frustrating that the school board members don't even seem to realize that those groups do not speak for us. They don't even have the legal right to speak for us.

And then to add to it, you get these dcum trolls with their union bashing insisting that everything bad that happens is because of some union, but they don't even know that there are several associations and that most teachers don't belong to any of them.

THIS. 1000 x this. This lady should not have a platform at all. I feel like I have no voice and at the same time someone who is claiming to speak for me is not saying anything that I want to say. I feel so powerless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone read the actual statement out out by FEA vs the off the cuff remake made at a mtg. Where emotions run high.

"The FEA is ONLY supportive of a return to in-person instruction AFTER the staff involved directly with in-person instruction, feeding, and transport have received BOTH doses of COVID-19 vaccine and we have given them the 7-14-day period after the second dose to ensure the 95% effectiveness stated by the vaccine manufacturer.

We believe the earliest date for in-person instruction to be Tuesday, March 2. Dr. Brabrand has shared that his plan will start February 16. FEA is asking for you to do what is right by your employees and students and extend his plan by at least 2 weeks.

Please note, while FEA would support a plan that incorporates March 2, it is also important to understand that the case numbers will still matter for our students and families in the county. We cannot safely return students to our buildings before the case data begins to decline. The cases today are at 726.5 cases per 100,000 residents. That is well over the school metric of 200 cases per 100,000 residents in our county. If this data is not in decline before March 2, we do not believe it is safe for our students to be in-person."

https://mailchi.mp/9503bc17eff8/covid19-fea-letter-fcps-board-jan22?e=300d33bb26

Right, so they are now saying the RTS timeline currently being proposed is a no go. That cases need to drop to 200 / 100,000, which even with vaccines won't happen until April at the earliest. And that they will not return until the teachers, bus rivers and cafeteria workers are all vaccinated (god knows when that is going to happen now).

So basically they are saying they do not want to return this spring at all.

So why doesn't admin tell them to GTFOOH with than nonsense?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone read the actual statement out out by FEA vs the off the cuff remake made at a mtg. Where emotions run high.

"The FEA is ONLY supportive of a return to in-person instruction AFTER the staff involved directly with in-person instruction, feeding, and transport have received BOTH doses of COVID-19 vaccine and we have given them the 7-14-day period after the second dose to ensure the 95% effectiveness stated by the vaccine manufacturer.

We believe the earliest date for in-person instruction to be Tuesday, March 2. Dr. Brabrand has shared that his plan will start February 16. FEA is asking for you to do what is right by your employees and students and extend his plan by at least 2 weeks.

Please note, while FEA would support a plan that incorporates March 2, it is also important to understand that the case numbers will still matter for our students and families in the county. We cannot safely return students to our buildings before the case data begins to decline. The cases today are at 726.5 cases per 100,000 residents. That is well over the school metric of 200 cases per 100,000 residents in our county. If this data is not in decline before March 2, we do not believe it is safe for our students to be in-person."

https://mailchi.mp/9503bc17eff8/covid19-fea-letter-fcps-board-jan22?e=300d33bb26

Right, so they are now saying the RTS timeline currently being proposed is a no go. That cases need to drop to 200 / 100,000, which even with vaccines won't happen until April at the earliest. And that they will not return until the teachers, bus rivers and cafeteria workers are all vaccinated (god knows when that is going to happen now).

So basically they are saying they do not want to return this spring at all.

So why doesn't admin tell them to GTFOOH with than nonsense?

I mean, they could.

But so far they've shown no will to do that and neither has the SB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Remember that FEA and AFT are only advocating for teachers. They don't advocate for students. Seems as if the students are the ones without a voice.....

So, parents - BE VOCAL!!! Do not let these unions run the school system. They don't care about your kids.

Are they advocating for teachers? Right now they seem pretty damn self serving. Have I benefited from Kim Adams making a horse’s ass of herself regularly at school board meetings?

Right now, OpenFCPS should be paying Kim Adams. Hell, maybe they are. She is doing amazing work for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Remember that FEA and AFT are only advocating for teachers. They don't advocate for students. Seems as if the students are the ones without a voice.....

So, parents - BE VOCAL!!! Do not let these unions run the school system. They don't care about your kids.

Shut up, you rabble rouser. This is not the way to discuss things. Go find a soapbox and screech on it. You just make everything worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone read the actual statement out out by FEA vs the off the cuff remake made at a mtg. Where emotions run high.

"The FEA is ONLY supportive of a return to in-person instruction AFTER the staff involved directly with in-person instruction, feeding, and transport have received BOTH doses of COVID-19 vaccine and we have given them the 7-14-day period after the second dose to ensure the 95% effectiveness stated by the vaccine manufacturer.

We believe the earliest date for in-person instruction to be Tuesday, March 2. Dr. Brabrand has shared that his plan will start February 16. FEA is asking for you to do what is right by your employees and students and extend his plan by at least 2 weeks.

Please note, while FEA would support a plan that incorporates March 2, it is also important to understand that the case numbers will still matter for our students and families in the county. We cannot safely return students to our buildings before the case data begins to decline. The cases today are at 726.5 cases per 100,000 residents. That is well over the school metric of 200 cases per 100,000 residents in our county. If this data is not in decline before March 2, we do not believe it is safe for our students to be in-person."

https://mailchi.mp/9503bc17eff8/covid19-fea-letter-fcps-board-jan22?e=300d33bb26

She's doubled down on her statement, so I wouldn't call it an off-the-cuff remark. She's been willing to repeat it to the media and FEA has tweeted out things about kids' vaccines.

Is that all she wants. Two weeks? Jesus Christ, are we arguing about 2 weeks here? GIVE HER THE 2 WEEKS! Let’s just get moving. Are you seriously raising a ruckus over this?