NYSUT MARCH 3-4, 2015 E.D. 52 MEETING REPORT

DESMOND HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER, ALBANY, NEW YORK

After a hard-fought campaign, Governor Larry Hogan has announced he will release the $68 million set aside to maintain the 2 percent salary increase—one that was negotiated and finalized last year by public employee unions and the state—for state employees.

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The Medicare Drug Savings Act was introduced in both houses of Congress in late April. If passed the bill would restore prescription drug rebates for low income beneficiaries. 

In the wake of serious civil unrest last week Baltimore Teachers Union members took the streets to help clean up their city. Many went to the epicenter of the conflict, Pennsylvania & North avenues to sweep debris and provide lunch, bottles of water, and supplies to affected residents.

WeRoc (the Washtenaw Regional Organizing Coalition) is a coalition of community faith and labor organizations that is doing some exciting things to further social and economic justice in our region. WeROC is working to bring together membership-based community organizations to create a collective voice and impact public affairs and issues in Washtenaw county and across the state.

EMUFT has been a part of this growing movement to increase awareness and create change on a number of issues including:

Ban the (past conviction) Box on employment forms, a variety of local Education issues including promoting programs like Restorative justice instead of suspension, and working for economic dignity for working families.

You are invited to attend any WeRoc meetings to just listen in or participate in this dynamic community movement. We would love to have more EMUFT members involved in good work that WeRoc is doing in Washtenaw County.

WeRoc General meetings are help on the first Thursday of every month, 5:30-7:15pm at different locations. Watch the EMUFT Facebook page for up-to-date details (https://www.facebook.com/EMUFederationOfTeachers).

During August, September, and October Planning meetings for a large community event in November will take place on every 3rd Thursday at 6pm at different locations. Watch the EMUFT Facebook page for up-to-date details (https://www.facebook.com/EMUFederationOfTeachers).

You can also check and Like the We Roc Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/werocMI?fref=ts

In the midst of a busy and tumultuous week in Baltimore, the city council passed a quiet but important resolution. The council unanimously decided to call on the Mayor to increase her budget for community schools and out-of-school-time to $10 million.