The “union”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Lol. That would require the union to actually care about instruction. They only care about making it hard to fire bad teachers (I mean, seriously, why is tenure a thing for school age teachers!); obtaining as many “training days” as possible (because you know, teachers are hourly workers - NOT); ensuring high pay (yes they are very well paid here); and generous benefits (hello: pension!).

I say this as someone who is not a member of a union...
1. No tenure in VA. You are on "continuing contract" after three years, but you can be placed on evaluation at any point. Otherwise you do a formal evaluation process every three years.
2. Teachers pretty universally hate these "training days." They are never actually relevant to our jobs.
3. Ha. Our pay keeps getting frozen and health care costs just go up.
4. This generous pension you speak of is no longer in existence for new-ish hires to FCPS. It is now a defined benefit plan like most employers have these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Fudge you. Kim Adams is no one’s friend at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:VEA is a Union.

"We’re a Union of more than 40,000 teachers and school support professionals working for the betterment of public education in the Commonwealth."

https://www.veanea.org/about/who-we-are/

The VEA Union (their capitalization and their word, not mine) consists of 133 local ones.

https://www.veanea.org/associations/?_name=A

How exactly do they care about the children getting educated???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Lol. That would require the union to actually care about instruction. They only care about making it hard to fire bad teachers (I mean, seriously, why is tenure a thing for school age teachers!); obtaining as many “training days” as possible (because you know, teachers are hourly workers - NOT); ensuring high pay (yes they are very well paid here); and generous benefits (hello: pension!).

I say this as someone who is not a member of a union...
1. No tenure in VA. You are on "continuing contract" after three years, but you can be placed on evaluation at any point. Otherwise you do a formal evaluation process every three years.
2. Teachers pretty universally hate these "training days." They are never actually relevant to our jobs.
3. Ha. Our pay keeps getting frozen and health care costs just go up.
4. This generous pension you speak of is no longer in existence for new-ish hires to FCPS. It is now a defined benefit plan like most employers have these days.

Yep. It sucks. We have no real union, and yet we get shit on for what we don’t have. I think i may move to another county.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, so someone hijacked my thread and is now using it to stereo blast her propaganda and it kind of pisses me off. Could you please just talk like a normal person and dialogue with other people on this board rather than spamming it with your insensitive, unresponsive, uncompromising vitriol?

Talk to people. Listen to them. Stop yelling one liners and cliches at me. It is about as fun as listening to obnoxious tv commercials.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are not unions in Virginia as it is a Right to Work state. In other areas of the country, the teachers unions negotiate the contract for teachers in that jurisdiction. In FCPS, the County dictates the contract and each teacher signs a contract with the county. In FCPS, benefits like pensions and healthcare are also provided through the county and state and not the union.

The "unions" act as associations in Virginia, but they have no real say in the contract and benefits the county offers the teachers.

You are confusing a "union", which is an organization of workers dedicated to advancing workers' interests, with an "exclusive bargaining entity", which is a legal status a union assumes when an employer choses to or is compelled to bargain with them.

In VA, for now, teachers' unions are not exclusive bargaining entities (laws will be changing in May but it won't be automatic). They are still capable of exerting considerable influence, however. They collect dues, provide benefits to members, donate to campaigns, make endorsements, organize their members to turn out to vote, and if managed well can have a lot of clout in local politics.

It's strange to me. There's a group out there that calls itself a union, that is clearly mobilizing its members against a policy and claiming to speak for them. Yet some people get all bent out of shape when anyone tries to blame the union for the inability to implement a policy that they vocally, actively oppose.

They have VERY little power compared to actual teacher unions in other states. It's funny to hear people complain about teacher "unions" here because they clearly have no experience with real teacher unions.

[Anonymous]

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.

It’s the school board, not the county BOS that would approve it for school employees. That’s just one step in the process. There also has to be a vote by employees and they could choose either the NEA, AFT locals or choose to have no union. It takes a while.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are not unions in Virginia as it is a Right to Work state. In other areas of the country, the teachers unions negotiate the contract for teachers in that jurisdiction. In FCPS, the County dictates the contract and each teacher signs a contract with the county. In FCPS, benefits like pensions and healthcare are also provided through the county and state and not the union.

The "unions" act as associations in Virginia, but they have no real say in the contract and benefits the county offers the teachers.

You are confusing a "union", which is an organization of workers dedicated to advancing workers' interests, with an "exclusive bargaining entity", which is a legal status a union assumes when an employer choses to or is compelled to bargain with them.

In VA, for now, teachers' unions are not exclusive bargaining entities (laws will be changing in May but it won't be automatic). They are still capable of exerting considerable influence, however. They collect dues, provide benefits to members, donate to campaigns, make endorsements, organize their members to turn out to vote, and if managed well can have a lot of clout in local politics.

It's strange to me. There's a group out there that calls itself a union, that is clearly mobilizing its members against a policy and claiming to speak for them. Yet some people get all bent out of shape when anyone tries to blame the union for the inability to implement a policy that they vocally, actively oppose.

For the 1000th time. They will be a fully fledged Union in May.

Collective bargaining, backing from NEA national, etc.

Kim Adams speaks for the teachers of Fairfax County.


They have VERY little power compared to actual teacher unions in other states. It's funny to hear people complain about teacher "unions" here because they clearly have no experience with real teacher unions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are not unions in Virginia as it is a Right to Work state. In other areas of the country, the teachers unions negotiate the contract for teachers in that jurisdiction. In FCPS, the County dictates the contract and each teacher signs a contract with the county. In FCPS, benefits like pensions and healthcare are also provided through the county and state and not the union.

The "unions" act as associations in Virginia, but they have no real say in the contract and benefits the county offers the teachers.

You are confusing a "union", which is an organization of workers dedicated to advancing workers' interests, with an "exclusive bargaining entity", which is a legal status a union assumes when an employer choses to or is compelled to bargain with them.

In VA, for now, teachers' unions are not exclusive bargaining entities (laws will be changing in May but it won't be automatic). They are still capable of exerting considerable influence, however. They collect dues, provide benefits to members, donate to campaigns, make endorsements, organize their members to turn out to vote, and if managed well can have a lot of clout in local politics.

It's strange to me. There's a group out there that calls itself a union, that is clearly mobilizing its members against a policy and claiming to speak for them. Yet some people get all bent out of shape when anyone tries to blame the union for the inability to implement a policy that they vocally, actively oppose.

They have VERY little power compared to actual teacher unions in other states. It's funny to hear people complain about teacher "unions" here because they clearly have no experience with real teacher unions.

I know. I am starting to think I should move somewhere where there is a real one. It would be nice to get the benefits of it that I don’t get now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are not unions in Virginia as it is a Right to Work state. In other areas of the country, the teachers unions negotiate the contract for teachers in that jurisdiction. In FCPS, the County dictates the contract and each teacher signs a contract with the county. In FCPS, benefits like pensions and healthcare are also provided through the county and state and not the union.

The "unions" act as associations in Virginia, but they have no real say in the contract and benefits the county offers the teachers.

You are confusing a "union", which is an organization of workers dedicated to advancing workers' interests, with an "exclusive bargaining entity", which is a legal status a union assumes when an employer choses to or is compelled to bargain with them.

In VA, for now, teachers' unions are not exclusive bargaining entities (laws will be changing in May but it won't be automatic). They are still capable of exerting considerable influence, however. They collect dues, provide benefits to members, donate to campaigns, make endorsements, organize their members to turn out to vote, and if managed well can have a lot of clout in local politics.

It's strange to me. There's a group out there that calls itself a union, that is clearly mobilizing its members against a policy and claiming to speak for them. Yet some people get all bent out of shape when anyone tries to blame the union for the inability to implement a policy that they vocally, actively oppose.

They have VERY little power compared to actual teacher unions in other states. It's funny to hear people complain about teacher "unions" here because they clearly have no experience with real teacher unions.

For the 1000th time. They will be a fully fledged Union in May.

Collective bargaining, backing from NEA national, etc.

Kim Adams speaks for the teachers of Fairfax County.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It’s how teachers killed hybrid. It’s what works.

[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

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?

You know the “if you give a mouse a cookie” phenomenon? We’ve been giving her two weeks, a month, until after virtual start, until after Christmas since July. In two weeks, it will be a different metric or demand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It’s how teachers killed hybrid. It’s what works.

It's how all of you are going to kill public school. When kids leave for private school, they aren't going to come back. And that's 10,000 kids and counting that FCPS won't get funding for, that makes the pot of money smaller so education will get worse, there will be fewer jobs for teachers, more kids will leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Lol. That would require the union to actually care about instruction. They only care about making it hard to fire bad teachers (I mean, seriously, why is tenure a thing for school age teachers!); obtaining as many “training days” as possible (because you know, teachers are hourly workers - NOT); ensuring high pay (yes they are very well paid here); and generous benefits (hello: pension!).

I say this as someone who is not a member of a union...
1. No tenure in VA. You are on "continuing contract" after three years, but you can be placed on evaluation at any point. Otherwise you do a formal evaluation process every three years.
2. Teachers pretty universally hate these "training days." They are never actually relevant to our jobs.
3. Ha. Our pay keeps getting frozen and health care costs just go up.
4. This generous pension you speak of is no longer in existence for new-ish hires to FCPS. It is now a defined benefit plan like most employers have these days.

Yep. It sucks. We have no real union, and yet we get shit on for what we don’t have. I think i may move to another county.

Or, you could stay here until May when the start collective bargaining on your behalf.

[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.

It’s the school board, not the county BOS that would approve it for school employees. That’s just one step in the process. There also has to be a vote by employees and they could choose either the NEA, AFT locals or choose to have no union. It takes a while.

The crazy thing is, this forum has convinced me I would be better off being part of one. I am already being being castigated for being part of “evil teacher unions” so why the hell not? Maybe I will then make what I am worth. I am regretting turning down a higher salary at a private school for the so called benefits of this public school system where my salary seems to be decreasing. Plus, then I could actually ELECT the person who got to speak at board meetings and wouldn’t have some loon get to claim she represents me.