TFP 461

IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS

Register Now for Lobby Day

Monday, Feb 15 (Presidents’ Day)

9am-3pm

Every year there are important issues that the legislature decides in Olympia. This year funding for the Para cert funding is on the table. A few years ago, the legislature mandated that paras receive professional development and then they didn’t guarantee funded. Now the legislature needs to step up and fully fund the mandated training. In addition, a bipartisan bill (see attached flyer) on the Recovery Rebate would put money back into the economy for our lower paid workers. Those making under $23,800 would receive a $500 tax credit. We know that low paid workers put the most back into the economy in times of financial hardship. If you want to support these two issues making it through the legislature, join us for Lobby Day!

Make sure to register here: https://leadernet.aft.org/webform/lobby-day-2021-registration

Q&A on Leaves and Accommodations

Thursday, Feb. 18, 5:30pm

Do you have questions about what leaves are available to you and how to access those leaves? Could you qualify for accommodations? This one-hour Q&A is for general questions and you will not be asked to share any personal information. Tacoma Federation of Education Support Professionals will be in attendance with the Tacoma School District to help get our questions answered. Following the workshop, we encourage union members to follow up with their HR Specialist regarding their leave and accommodations to makes their individual personal situation is being addressed.

Union 101

Tuesday, March 2, 5pm

We belong to our union for lots of difference reasons and are part of our union because we all work for Tacoma Public School, but what is a union? On the grand scale, the labor movement brought us the weekend, child labor laws, equal pay for equal work, desegregation of the workplace and much more! Join this introduction to unionism to find out how our union is structured, your role as an active union member and how to build a strong local and upgrade our working conditions.

Tuesday, March 2, 5pm

Classified Conference 2021

Saturday, March 13

9am-3pm

We are excited to announce that the virtual 2021 Classified Conference will be occurring on Saturday, March 13th, from 9 AM - 3 PM. Make sure to mark your calendars for this event, which includes workshops on Nutrition and student learning, Equity and inclusion in the early learning classroom, Trauma and the return to school, and more! We are also making sure that this year’s conference has time for folks to get to know each other across school districts and have some virtual fun. This conference is open to all union members. Many workshops will qualify for professional development and continuing education credits. Keep an eye out for the registration link on our website at http://wa.aft.org/classified-members Registration will open February 22nd!

11/18/2020

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT KATHY UNRUH

At this week’s Labor Management meeting with the District, your union’s Labor Management Team addressed the concerns that were brought up at our general membership meeting on November 16th. (1) The adjusting of hours for holidays; (2) Concerns about Covid-19 rules not being followed or enforced; and (3) Plans if schools close again.

The District is understanding the confusion caused by hour adjustments. The bottom line is that our hours are adjusted to allow for paid holidays and breaks. We will receive our normal pay every week.

The issues concerning Covid-19 were taken very seriously by the District. Your team explained the hesitation of some staff to report violations to their building Covid-19 supervisor. They emphasized the need for all staff to be vigilant and report all issues, including issues with buses. They agreed that emails are the best form of communication to notify the building Covid-19 supervisor about issues. If there is no action taken, call Forrest Griek.

The district response to the question about possible school closures was that schools have a different threshold than businesses. The intention of the District is to keep their staff whole for this year.

Bylaw Amendments

Many thanks to the Bylaw Committee who have been working for many months on reviewing and updating our Bylaws. The new Bylaws are posted on this website under "Important Documents." Thanks also go to the members who attended our November 23rd Zoom meeting to discuss and vote on the Bylaws. One major note -- we are now the TACOMA FEDERATION OF EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS. This was a very important change, making us more inclusive to the Bus Monitors, ASL Interpreters, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants, Speech Language Pathology Assistants, Physical Therapy Assistants, Health Room Assistants, LPN's and others represented by our union, along with our paraeducators.

10/27/2020

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT GLORY

Much has transpired and shifted for me on a personal level due to the circumstances of these past several months. So much so that I have made the decision to resign from Tacoma Public Schools. It is a personal decision and a very bittersweet one. This means I will be stepping down from my role as president of TFP, effective November 6th, 2020.

During my time in this role, our local has grown in so many ways. These past months were like nothing anyone could have predicted and through it, we came alive! Don't let that diminish! It will be necessary for more member involvement as life continues to move forward and preparations begin for CBA negotiations in the spring.

Additionally, you have just elected some incredible members to the executive board who have already proven their determination to work towards the betterment of our local:

Vice President - Kathy Unruh

Secretary - Rhonda Stinson

Editor - Liz Walle

Building Coordinator B - Lisa Wolf

Sgt at Arms - Phoebe Grigsby

In alignment with our bylaws, our current vice-president, Kathy Unruh, will step into the role of president for the duration of this term, which ends in June. Please give grace and patience during the transition.

Going forward, please send questions and inquiries to local461info@gmail.com.

All the best,

Glory Tichy

10/26/2020

Election Update

We had a successful drive-through election this evening. 33 members cast their ballots. Thank you to those who participated! Nominees for each executive board position ran unopposed:

Vice President - Kathy Unruh

Secretary - Rhonda Stinson

Editor - Liz Walle

Building Rep Coordinator B - Lisa Wolf

Sgt at Arms - Phoebe Grigsby

A special thank you to our Nominations and Elections Committee: Kari Madden and Melissa Roach. Also, thank you to our volunteer members who came out to help facilitate the vote and the ballot count: Melody Hardesty, Amy Kimmel, Betty Lewis, Susan Wright and Elizabeth Douglas.

9/14/2020

Bargaining update

*MOUs are posted under the Important Documents tab*

*Impact Provisions

*Effects

*ASL Interpreters

*Leaves

Today, your bargaining team reached a tentative agreement on four (4) separate MOUs with the district. We have solidified language around the effects of the June 1 personnel action, leaves, ASL and provisions going into the 20/21 school year.

These agreements will be uploaded to the website for viewing within the next 24 hours.

A huge thank you to the team that sacrificed portions of their summer and has put in endless hours during the negotiation process:

Kathy Unruh

Rhonda Stinson

Kari Madden

Lisa Wolf

Jana Quiocho

Liz Walle

Jazmyn Daniels

Glory Tichy

Know that this could not have been possible without the way our membership sprang into action on multiple occasions when prompted These past four months have served a bigger purpose as well which is letting the district know we are a valuable part of the educational team and we deserve respect. This concept is still not acknowledged by all upper admin within TPS but we are moving in the right direction thanks to the actions of our members!!

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS

11/18/2020

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT KATHY UNRUH

Bylaw Amendments

Bylaw Amendments

10/27/2020

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT GLORY

10/26/2020

Election Update

Letter of Support from WA Legislators

9/14/2020

Bargaining update