United Educators of Pittsfield

United Educators of Pittsfield letter to the School Committee:

The United Educators of Pittsfield (UEP) have been bargaining for a fair contract for a full year, and working under an expired contract for the duration of the current school year. Our last negotiation meeting was in early November of 2024.

I am writing to urge you to come to an agreement with the UEP this Wednesday. As an educator, I spend every day supporting the students in our district. It has been incredibly discouraging to work under an expired contract, knowing that the proposals put forward by our union for fair compensation, modern paid parental leave, and particularly educator autonomy have been met with inflexibility on the part of the district. I have invested myself personally and professionally in improving the lives of the children in Pittsfield Public Schools, and I am asking you to support and honor our work by resolving these negotiations with our union.

My hope is that on January 29, the School Committee and the UEP can have their last negotiation session and come to an agreement on a fair contract. The UEP has waited patiently long enough for this contract to be completed.

Congratulations to Williams Elementary

Fall 2024 U.E.P. gathering at Onota Lake.

It has come to my attention that Ward Johnson is retiring as our local Retirement support.

The new contact is Cathy Grady. You can reach her at [email protected].

If you have been involved with public education at all over the past few decades, you're aware of the impact of MCAS. If you'd like to hear from educators, students, and families about it, you can visit our website (massteacher.org or page (facebook.com/massteacher) - also, PLEASE Add Your Concerns & Experiences!

However, our educator votes and words alone won't win on November 5th without actions to convince the electorate, and once again, we are up against big and dark-monied interests. But also remember that public school educators rate very high among those whom voters trust, and when WE fight, WE win! If voters see you canvassing (like our Summer Member Organizers), tabling at events, and standing out in high visibility areas (including the primary elections on September 3rd, 1st Fridays, Lee Founders Day, Lenox Apple Squeez, North Adams Fall Foliage Parade, farmers markets etc); if they hear you on phone calls (Tuesday and Thursday anytime between 5 and 7), if there are seas of lawn signs and stickers across the state and in our neighborhoods; if they read your trusted opinions in the local paper; if they know that the Mass Association of School Committees supports Question 2 and educators ask their Local School Committee to declare the same; if your local leaders, civic, religious, leisure or interest-based organization sign a resolution of support...If you, personally, can join in any of these or other activities in addition to casting your vote, then victory, and the end of the reign of MCAS will be at hand.

"If" can be the biggest word in the language and while we will always keep hope alive, we will only succeed IF our members join in at least one action. So PLEASE use the following links (or just send an email to me or Tim Warren ([email protected]) or Stephanie Marcott ([email protected]) to identify how you will help and what opportunities exist in your area.

Link for identifying upcoming events in your area:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQ-5S1qeWI5NpC7BsCJ6NneYvOY7H42BFYYuyeOspiTwTOsQ/viewform

Volunteer Sign-up link:
https://www.mobilize.us/massteacher/event/599853/

YES ON 2 Resolution Document:
Below, you will find the municipal resolution language, our resolution tracker, and a document with tips for passing resolutions.

Municipal Resolution Language (Link and PDF Attached): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1b6oAHCUXRlOy76pNFYlI1CX7p6CzvSAelKb5ybZNYVw/edit?usp=share_link

Resolution Tracker:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KleIHd4XM8Cj0aTNI1kaHVXSwWMKh9_MPJAQ2pBpDXk/edit?usp=sharing

Tips for Passing Municipal Resolutions:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UAfT1_2G_jREo81o4L3KN_WbC6u0XP7dc14csEPpid8/edit?usp=sharing

Asked to post the picture from the 2023 Retirement party as well.

Retirement party 2024.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nERhPX8E9Oc&feature=youtu.be

What is the Fair Share Amendment?

Carter’s mom is a teacher for PPS. Please help if you can.

Carter LaCasse Leukemia Treatment Fundraiser, organized by Amy Lindquist Update: Carter unfortunately had to spend Christmas at Baystate Children's… Amy Lindquist needs your support for Carter LaCasse Leukemia Treatment Fundraiser

Please support our support staff. Our schools can NOT run without them. They deserve a living wage and paid time off!

https://www.iberkshires.com/story/66813/Letter-Pittsfield-Public-Schools-Opportunity-for-Change.html?fbclid=IwAR1_xXJJMzsGd5esqHXPEwjnYjh9MFimtaQZkbxMf-45Ada9gg71rxc_reM

Letter: Pittsfield Public Schools: Opportunity for Change To the Editor: The Pittsfield Federation of School Employees are the Bus Drivers and Bus Monitors who make sure your child gets to and from school safely each day. We are the cafeteria...