Willie J Rawls 

In Alabama a bus driver was killed and a boy was taken hostage off the bus. The bus drivers are the first line of protection for the students.

I would like to thank the bus drivers. They go to work early whether it's freezing or it's hot, they have to watch for the students at every stop. If the students go on a trip and the bus breaks down, another driver will have to go get the students and bring them back to their town. If a bully is riding the bus the drivers will deal with it, they will help a student if they feel sick. When the bus is stopped and the lights are flashing red, some people don't stop and they are not concern about what the law says.

AFT-Maryland members travelled to Annapolis on Monday, February 11, 2013 to talk to their delegates about several issues of concern. Among other things, members talked about

The Baltimore Teachers Union's 3rd Annual PSRP Conference took place on Friday and Saturday (2/8-9) at the Baltimore Convention Center and it was a great success. More than 500 PSRPs engaged in a long list of dynamic workshops.

Ruby Newbold, President of the Detroit Association of Educational Office Employees and Quentin Lawson, the Executive Director of the National Alliance of Black School Educators were the guest speakers.

Mr. Lawson presented BTU with an award of recognition for the dedicated work that they do for education in Maryland. The award will be hanging in the BTU Office.

In this Edition:

• Bethany Schaffner appointed to Treasurer
• New timesheet recommendations
• Officer nominations are on the horizon
• Getting to Know Your Contract - Contracting Out

Submitted By: Devin Hunter

Click the link below to view the newsletter.

February Newsletter - PDF - Final

So … how about this 2013 North Dakota State Legislative Session?

Due to the threatened attacks on Baltimore County employees benefits and rights by the County Executive and Council, we are urging union members in Baltimore County to stand together in opposition to proposed Bills 6-13* and 7-13**.

Members of BCFPE, AFSCME Local 921, FOP Lodge #4 and other Baltimore County Workers are at risk of losing rights if these bills pass. We have only a couple short weeks to fight against the negative changes these bills would bring but together, we can do it!

** It's crucial that members stand up and speak out with a collective voice at the hearing for the proposed bills on February 12th at 1pm as well as the meeting where the council will vote on the bills, February 19th at 5pm. **

CLICK HERE to send a message to your local councilperson.

MCEA held its Annual Statewide Advisory Council Meeting on April 27, 2013, which, for the first time, was opened to all members of MCEA.

The North Dakota Public Employees Association runs on the idea that the best stewardship in this great state is made possible when we put the proper investment into its greatest resource: the people. Part of that investment is to assist in the development of the young minds who will go on to lead our state into the future.

Background: "Parent trigger," a concept first enacted in state legislation in California in 2010, lets the parents of students in a low-performing school collectively to petition the state or school district to allow for alternative school governance, like conversion to a charter school. Now enacted in a handful of states nationwide, parent trigger is supported by corporate backers like the Koch brothers.
 

PDF of January 2013 Viewpoints