American Federation of Teachers-Kansas

The Janus Case

What is the Janus Case (aka Janus vs AFSCME)?

A case before the U.S. Supreme Court over the right of public employee unions to require non-members to pay agency or fair share fees for the cost of bargaining and enforcing a labor contract.

What is the Aboud Case (aka Aboud vs. Detroit Board of Education"

A case ruled on by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1977 which said that public employees could be forced to pay for expenses associated with collective bargaining and other related activities, but not for political activities.

Some Articles

Behind Janus Documents Reveal Decade-Long Plot to Kill Public-Sector Unions. By Mary Bottari (Center for Media and Democracy)

Be Careful What You Wish For By Dana Milbank

2018 Steward Training

Stewards are the lifeline of public employees unions and that is no different for state workers in Maryland. AFT Healthcare-Maryland (AFTHCMD) and the Maryland Professional Employees Council (MPEC) brought together a host of activists and leaders for an important stewards’ training on Friday February 23, 2018. Jacqueline Raines of MPEC was the lead facilitator for the day but the staff of both organizations played a vital role in preparing the stewards for their duties. 33 professionals from MPEC and 11 healthcare professionals attended the training.
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February Steward Training

Stewards are the lifeline of public employees unions and that is no different for state workers in Maryland. The Maryland Professional Employees Council (MPEC) and AFT Healthcare-Maryland (AFTHCMD) brought together a host of activists and leaders for an important stewards’ training on Friday, February 23, 2018. Jacqueline Raines of MPEC was the lead facilitator for the day but the staff of both organizations played a vital role in preparing the stewards for their duties. 33 professionals from MPEC and 11 healthcare professionals attended the training.

Peer Observation, 'Homework' & Attendance at After-Hours School Events is NOT Required

Dear Teachers and Instructional Personnel:

OCCTA continues to receive complaints from teachers that administrators are requiring their participation in certain activities that are strictly voluntary.

We are still hearing from teachers who have been told that they must conduct peer observations. OCCTA wants you to know that peer observations, whether related to the District Professional Learning Community (DPLC) close reading program or to Deliberate Practice, are strictly voluntary.

Rutgers law scholar: Supreme Court could thrash public unions - and our freedoms

Check out this great piece on Janus on NJ.Com

UW-Superior Administration Knowingly Ignored Shared Governance Procedures in Program Suspensions and Warnings

Superior, WI – The University of Wisconsin Superior AFT Local #6514 has released emails, gained through an open records request, that give a detailed picture of UWS administration’s actions before and after the surprise suspensions of 24 programs on October 31, 2017. These actions set off a series of contentious forums, student protests, and formal expressions of disapproval by various stakeholders that continue to this day.

The following salary proposal was presented at the February 26, 2018 CBLT Meeting. The salary proposal included justifications and a base rate of pay increase of 8% that can be divided between two years as 4% per year. The COLA would be considered a market adjustment.

Please see the PowerPoint Presentation below:

AFT President Randi Weingarten on President Trump’s Comments About Arming Teachers

NYSUT Update on Upcoming Gun Violence Actions

Upcoming Gun Violence Actions

I hope you had a chance to get the much needed respite during the February Break. The outrage felt over yet, another violent rampage in a school has left all students, educators, parents and Americans very upset and scared. The need for action and change so that these incidents stop continues to emerge as a student movement with many supportive groups.

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