The PFT wants to make sure that each and every member is aware of and knowledgeable about the very real attacks on our pensions and pension system from Governor Corbett.  Enlist your friends and family members to contact their legislators to insist that they let Act 120 do its work since it is a responsible long term solution crafted by union and state leaders.

The state is not giving up in its attempts to steal our pensions – and we will not give up our fight against theft either.  Write your legislators today.

ALL CHILDREN in Pittsburgh have the right to a great public school. As students, parents, educators, citizens and voters from hard-working families we know the future of our community depends on fulfilling this promise. When we come together, we realize our potential and power to overcome barriers to providing the best public schools.

Societies that thrive in the future will not do so by trimming their support for the life of the mind.  Minnesota needs to compete.

Editor's note: Here are the unabridged remarks of UEA-Duluth's head negotiator, David Schimpf, to the Minnesota House Taxes Committee, which were made on Feb. 27, 2013.

At the end of the spring 2013 term, PFT will conduct a vote on proposed changes to the union’s constitution, last amended in 1995. Please follow the link to review the Executive Council-endorsed changes. The suggested edits appear in red type. Email union@pft1603.org with any comments or concerns (and remember to use your non-peralta.edu email)!

PFT Constitution, with amendments

UEA Benefits Advisory Representative Jennifer Schultz

1. Reminder to take your wellness assessment by the Feb. 28 deadline to receive your wellness points

2. You have until March 31, 2013 to submit your 2012 claims for reimbursement from your flexible spending accounts (for medical claims incurred Jan. 1, 2012 through March 15, 2013).

3. The 2012 UPlan medical average employee premium contribution rates increased 28.6% from 2011. The University's premium contribution decreased by 4% from 2011 to 2012.

Major budget challenges, changes in the campus governance systems and declining student enrollments nationwide mean there has never been a more important time for all of us as union members to be vocal and to be united.

In an effort to build a stronger community, the UEA-Duluth Executive Committee has decided to experiment with the launch of a new, closed Facebook group that is available to all UEA-D members as well as fair share fee payers.

Without question, one of the hardest-working members of the UEA Executive Committee is Michael Mullins.

UEA President: Michael Pfau

When any institution falls on hard budget times, there is inevitably a great deal of apprehension, fear and worry, and ultimately there is no escaping the need to make painful choices.  When budgets contract, we will need to sacrifice some valuable programs, positions and persons.  From my perspective, the question becomes one of priorities.

UEA President: Michael Pfau

Members of the UMD community with institutional memories that span several decades or more tell a story that links the origin of our current governance structure to the creation of the University Education Association, our faculty union.

UEA Head Negoriator: Dave Schimpf

Chancellor Black’s e-mails on Jan. 28 and Feb. 15 announced that the Campus Assembly will vote on a proposed revision to the governance structure at its March 5 meeting (2:00 p.m., Rafters).

The proposed structure would mean that much more responsibility for educational policy is vested in our faculty. Most of us think that is how a university is supposed to work!