AFT-Lone Star College sends its condolences and support to the friends and family of George Floyd and stands in solidarity with all of those who call for justice in his name.

Please view the attached documents regarding the election of delegates for the 2020 AFT Convention

2020 Delegate Instructions

2020 Delegate Election Calendar

Legislator Craig Fishbein, who represents Wallingford/Cheshire sent out a retweet this weekend that read:

"if you aren't setting fire to buildings...THEN YOU AIN"T BLACK". 

He has apologized for the insensitivity of the tweet, however, we are already familiar with Rep Fishbein.   His choice of which tweets he deems relevant doesn't surprise us.   We have trouble respecting any politician with such recurring failures of maturity and judgment.   In addition to having a fondness for bigoted tweets, he is also anti-union as he has filed multiple suits against unions in this state.   We knew his thoughts on unions, now we know his thoughts on race.  We don't know what else he is "anti-", but we do know that this guy should not be accepted by his colleagues in the Capitol.  To allow him to continue to be involved in crafting legislation on issues of justice and equality is an insult to the public and a disservice to the residents of Wallingford/Cheshire. 

Representative Fishbein should step down; he clearly doesn't represent, respect, or understand a large population of people in his district and has brought shame to the position he holds. 

There is a petition asking for his removal if you wish to send a message to Rep Fishbein.

Representative Fishbein, here is your class on sensitivity training and we can only hope you understand this (everyone should watch this tho...it is fantastic)...https://youtu.be/mXLS2IzZSdg

Admittedly, it is getting a bit confusing, but a new guidance is out...this guidance updates a few items related to leave time.  The gist is this:  if you have NOT taken the full 80hrs of LOPD (COVID related time), you can now access any of the time not taken for any of the acceptable reasons to utilize LOPD.  Further, you can access that time intermittently...this is a change b/c it was originally presented as a 14 day clock from the first day you accessed the time even if you didn't use it for 14 consecutive days; now it is an 80hr time "bank" that doesn't need to be taken in full-

Please sign the petition http://chng.it/PRn6GwZtZy sent by our NYSUT President, Andy Pallotta, to let your voices be heard loud and clear that schools need to reopen SAFELY!

In addition, New York State Resources and Guidance Documents regarding schools and educational policy can be found at the link below. (updated daily)

Constitution and Bylaws Adopted By Our Members 

May 19 2020

We are proud and excited to announce that our members voted to adopt the newly developed Orange County Classroom Teachers Association Constitution and Bylaws!  The votes were tabulated today and the membership has adopted a new Constitution with 660 yes votes – 341 no votes (65.9%).

Stay safe and relatively sane. This too shall pass.