MV teacher unionization effort?

[Anonymous]

The communication is pretty one sided. There hasn’t been any concerns published regarding the risks of unionizing. MV will have even less funds to pay teachers once they unionize since they will have to pay for lawyers. I’m afraid MV will go down the same path as Chavez and everyone will lose out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school administration did not recognize the union, so the staff intends to proceed to the NLRB process.

This letter was sent to interested parties by the teachers group yesterday.

Dear Beloved Families, April 25, 2019

Thank you so much today for your generous support and the beautiful breakfast. Special shout out to the generosity of Big Bear for donating the food! We appreciate you beyond words. In tonight’s meeting, administration still did not recognize our union.

On April 12th we, the Mundo Verde Union, announced our formation to school leadership. We invited them to voluntarily recognize our union within one week. On April 19th, after numerous staff requested phone calls and meetings, leadership responded with an email asking for a meeting on April 25th and we responded with the letter attached here: Response to leadership 4/21. This most recent letter did not receive a response until today, April 25, at 8 am, and stated that the meeting is confirmed for this April 25th, and that the format of the meeting had changed. Initially the meeting was set up for the board to better understand the perspective of teachers and staff who had joined the union effort, the 8 am revised meeting invitation set a different agenda:

“Others have expressed interest in this issue and therefore, in the spirit of transparency and inclusion, I am extending the invitation to any and all interested staff. We are sensitive to the late notice of this invitation. While I am hopeful that many of you will join us, I also want you to know there will be additional opportunities for staff to learn more as this process moves forward. Tonight's meeting is for staff only and will take place at school at 30 P Street at 7 pm.”

Instead of seeking understanding, the re-imagined meeting was designed to provide an opportunity for the small minority of staff who had not asked for a union to confront the 96 colleagues who had. Administration and the board made it clear that they were not there to engage on the only question before them; whether to voluntarily recognize our union.

The response to our April 12th letter is one example of a pattern exhibited by Mundo Verde leadership including last-minute communication, gatekeeping the decision making process, and changing the rules under which we function. This pattern was seen in the way we learned about the expansion, changes to staff healthcare, and the roll out of bonuses, to name a few specific examples. These examples are why we need a union now more than ever. After refusing to admit families and community stakeholders at the door, we, the staff members present, agreed to enter the meeting and restate to our administration and board the one and only question before them: will Mundo Verde leadership voluntarily recognize our union? Leadership refused to make a decision tonight.

It is with a heavy heart that we must move this process forward and petition the Federal Government for an election. There is no question that with the support of 96 staff members and the support of over 350 parents and community members we will sit down at the bargaining table as equals with our administration. We are saddened however that our administration and board have chosen to delay and fight our right to do so. It is our hope that leadership will respect our right to a fair election so we may speak our truth and collaborate through a democratic process. We remain open to working collaboratively outside of the NLRB if the board decides to recognize us, but with only 7 weeks of school remaining, we must move the process forward. This work is urgent and our students deserve teachers who are able to fully engage in the decision making processes at their school.

We hope that you will continue to support us as we advocate for our seat at the decision making table. We value your insights and feedback as we move through this process. Please stand with us by joining the hundreds of parents and community members who have already signed our petition. We are in awe and profoundly grateful for all that you have done for us; your empathy, support, and encouragement have kept us focused on building a better Mundo Verde together.

With deep respect and appreciation,

The teachers and staff members of the Mundo Verde Union

Would you just leave the school already. I loathe the folks that post everything on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The communication is pretty one sided. There hasn’t been any concerns published regarding the risks of unionizing. MV will have even less funds to pay teachers once they unionize since they will have to pay for lawyers. I’m afraid MV will go down the same path as Chavez and everyone will lose out.

Ehhh- this to be us like the small business owners who say they can’t afford pay minimum wage. Well, then you don’t have a successful model. If a teachers union (& im not sure why this equals lawyers) will financially crush MV- then... it was a failed model. Workers get to vote to unionize.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The communication is pretty one sided. There hasn’t been any concerns published regarding the risks of unionizing. MV will have even less funds to pay teachers once they unionize since they will have to pay for lawyers. I’m afraid MV will go down the same path as Chavez and everyone will lose out.

BS. MV has lawyers now. All employers do. The Chavez teachers didn’t have as high a percentage of teachers joining and the school had academic performance issues, making it easy for the Board to retaking shutting that campus down.

Employees have the right to join together and collectively bargain. MV admin could have acknowledged and accepted this face, but choose to fight.

Rarely do satisfied employees decide to form a union. If the employer is hostile to the idea, it puts them at risk (will MV find a performance-based reason to now fire 90+ people?) Those that do pursue one have usually been pushed to the edge.

What the MV teachers are saying about decision making and how their school is managed, tracks with what many parents said publicly to the PCSB during the expansion hearing. Will the MV board listen or retreat further into their bunker.

[Anonymous]

Retaking should be ‘retaliate’

[Anonymous]

For those worried about posting here - it has already been in the Washington Post!! If the school wanted to avoid bad publicity it should have recognized the union.

MV is the only HRC where teachers have formed a union. This development is also of interest to the broader community. The MV union members are not the only group of charter teachers who would like more of a voice at their schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The communication is pretty one sided. There hasn’t been any concerns published regarding the risks of unionizing. MV will have even less funds to pay teachers once they unionize since they will have to pay for lawyers. I’m afraid MV will go down the same path as Chavez and everyone will lose out.

Ehhh- this to be us like the small business owners who say they can’t afford pay minimum wage. Well, then you don’t have a successful model. If a teachers union (& im not sure why this equals lawyers) will financially crush MV- then... it was a failed model. Workers get to vote to unionize.

I support the union (signed the petition, etc) but I do think there is financial risk for the school. The school's finances already seem shaky (one reason for the expansion according to what I was told by school leadership was so the school could get money from a one-time expansion grant that they said they used for the current campus). That said, teachers have a legal right to a union and so I will support them. But that doesn't mean I am 100% convinced it will be good for MV's finances. But then again, not everything can be measured on a spreadsheet and if teachers are happier that might be a worthwhile trade-off. But there will be trade-offs, there always are in life.

[Anonymous]

What can a non MV teacher do to support this effort? I’d like to help

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The communication is pretty one sided. There hasn’t been any concerns published regarding the risks of unionizing. MV will have even less funds to pay teachers once they unionize since they will have to pay for lawyers. I’m afraid MV will go down the same path as Chavez and everyone will lose out.

Ehhh- this to be us like the small business owners who say they can’t afford pay minimum wage. Well, then you don’t have a successful model. If a teachers union (& im not sure why this equals lawyers) will financially crush MV- then... it was a failed model. Workers get to vote to unionize.

I support the union (signed the petition, etc) but I do think there is financial risk for the school. The school's finances already seem shaky (one reason for the expansion according to what I was told by school leadership was so the school could get money from a one-time expansion grant that they said they used for the current campus). That said, teachers have a legal right to a union and so I will support them. But that doesn't mean I am 100% convinced it will be good for MV's finances. But then again, not everything can be measured on a spreadsheet and if teachers are happier that might be a worthwhile trade-off. But there will be trade-offs, there always are in life.

The only change to MV's finances would potentially be higher compensation - direct or health care or retirment benefits for teachers and other instructional staff.

As for how to adjust the budget, everything should be on the table.

How much of the total budget is devoted to compensation for staff eligible for the union? Is that percentage on par with other schools in the city?
How much is MV paying consultants?
How many administrators do they have? How much are they paid compared to administrators at peer institutions?
Can its building loan(s) be refinanced?
Can they use alternative materials when updating the new building that would cost less?
Can they convert the current salary bonus system into annual raises for teachers who meet their performance metrics? That could be a more predictable expense and perhaps even cost less, depending on how much the bonuses are and how many teachers receive them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The communication is pretty one sided. There hasn’t been any concerns published regarding the risks of unionizing. MV will have even less funds to pay teachers once they unionize since they will have to pay for lawyers. I’m afraid MV will go down the same path as Chavez and everyone will lose out.

Ehhh- this to be us like the small business owners who say they can’t afford pay minimum wage. Well, then you don’t have a successful model. If a teachers union (& im not sure why this equals lawyers) will financially crush MV- then... it was a failed model. Workers get to vote to unionize.

I support the union (signed the petition, etc) but I do think there is financial risk for the school. The school's finances already seem shaky (one reason for the expansion according to what I was told by school leadership was so the school could get money from a one-time expansion grant that they said they used for the current campus). That said, teachers have a legal right to a union and so I will support them. But that doesn't mean I am 100% convinced it will be good for MV's finances. But then again, not everything can be measured on a spreadsheet and if teachers are happier that might be a worthwhile trade-off. But there will be trade-offs, there always are in life.

The only change to MV's finances would potentially be higher compensation - direct or health care or retirment benefits for teachers and other instructional staff.

As for how to adjust the budget, everything should be on the table.

How much of the total budget is devoted to compensation for staff eligible for the union? Is that percentage on par with other schools in the city?
How much is MV paying consultants?
How many administrators do they have? How much are they paid compared to administrators at peer institutions?
Can its building loan(s) be refinanced?
Can they use alternative materials when updating the new building that would cost less?
Can they convert the current salary bonus system into annual raises for teachers who meet their performance metrics? That could be a more predictable expense and perhaps even cost less, depending on how much the bonuses are and how many teachers receive them.

Do you really think administrators are going to be paid less? Kristen has the Board wrapped around her finger. Also the school has insisted on more expensive materials being used for the playground equipment- I doubt they will cut corners on the new building.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The communication is pretty one sided. There hasn’t been any concerns published regarding the risks of unionizing. MV will have even less funds to pay teachers once they unionize since they will have to pay for lawyers. I’m afraid MV will go down the same path as Chavez and everyone will lose out.

Ehhh- this to be us like the small business owners who say they can’t afford pay minimum wage. Well, then you don’t have a successful model. If a teachers union (& im not sure why this equals lawyers) will financially crush MV- then... it was a failed model. Workers get to vote to unionize.

I support the union (signed the petition, etc) but I do think there is financial risk for the school. The school's finances already seem shaky (one reason for the expansion according to what I was told by school leadership was so the school could get money from a one-time expansion grant that they said they used for the current campus). That said, teachers have a legal right to a union and so I will support them. But that doesn't mean I am 100% convinced it will be good for MV's finances. But then again, not everything can be measured on a spreadsheet and if teachers are happier that might be a worthwhile trade-off. But there will be trade-offs, there always are in life.

The only change to MV's finances would potentially be higher compensation - direct or health care or retirment benefits for teachers and other instructional staff.

As for how to adjust the budget, everything should be on the table.

How much of the total budget is devoted to compensation for staff eligible for the union? Is that percentage on par with other schools in the city?
How much is MV paying consultants?
How many administrators do they have? How much are they paid compared to administrators at peer institutions?
Can its building loan(s) be refinanced?
Can they use alternative materials when updating the new building that would cost less?
Can they convert the current salary bonus system into annual raises for teachers who meet their performance metrics? That could be a more predictable expense and perhaps even cost less, depending on how much the bonuses are and how many teachers receive them.

Not true. Mundo's budget is really tight - and while teachers can advocate for higher salaries or less of a contribution to healthcare...it doesn't change the budget realities. Mundo's admin team is lean and under-compensated compared to similarly sized schools (the ED doesn't even make as much as a DCPS principal, who has a far easier job). The other budget items that are not wage and benefits aren't able to be collectively bargained, so while the teachers might get more line of sight into expenditures, they can't control them. And then there is the whole issue of union dues - which mostly pay for AFT's national activities...and will potentially mean that employees take home LESS than they do now. This whole effort is going to end badly for teachers. I'll just watch from the sidelines with my popcorn.

[Anonymous]

Then, it is not a successful school model.

[Anonymous]

Re 00:18 - the teachers will be well aware of the cost of dues. Clearly they are ok with it.

And the immediate PP is right. If MV can’t run the school without squeezing teachers to the point they want a union, the model is bad and the school should close or be restructured.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Re 00:18 - the teachers will be well aware of the cost of dues. Clearly they are ok with it.

And the immediate PP is right. If MV can’t run the school without squeezing teachers to the point they want a union, the model is bad and the school should close or be restructured.

Not always the case...it's all well and good until your paycheck is effectively smaller despite a raise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What can a non MV teacher do to support this effort? I’d like to help

Get in touch with Vanessa Gonzales ([e-mail]) for ways to volunteer and help.