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The Connection
1136 N. Military Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54303
920-496-2440
800-472-5582
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Hello friends,
This week's primary election saw great results for pro-public education candidates! Congratulations to West De Pere, Howard Suamico, Manitowoc, New London and Pulaski. All their preferred candidates made it through the primary - some were even the highest ranked candidates!
This was no happy accident.
These locals put in a lot of hours screening candidates, making recommendations and running get-out-the vote campaigns to union members.
A lot of leaders often tell me, "We can't run a campaign here because if people knew the union supported them, that would hurt the candidate." I hope this week's election results make some of you reflect on that idea. If we aren't visible, with an alternative to the very severe agendas some candidates want to push, then we've already lost.
Running a campaign means we can have a real impact on these elections and make sure candidates that support public education and public health get the votes they need. Our voter base isn't as loud but I assure you they are there waiting for us.
The most effective tool your local can use is member-to-member texting. If you want to help elect pro-public education school board candidates in April, respond to this email and let's get started!
Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region
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Upcoming Events:
March 17, Thursday, NBCT, 5PM
April 13, Wednesday, Region 3 Executive Committee Meeting, Follows 5PM WEAC Pre-RA
April 13, Wednesday, WEAC Pre-RA, 5PM
April 30, Saturday, WEAC RA, Marriott Madison Hotel
May 14, Saturday, Region 3 RA, 10AM
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Solidarity Runs in the Family
Union values run deep in the Fogarty family. WEAC Region 3 members Mike and Jennifer Fogarty, educators in Freedom, recently reached out to let us know that their daughter Hannah had recently started organizing a union at her place of employment, Starbucks in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. "I’m proud of Hannah’s advocacy on behalf of herself and other Starbucks workers. She’s on the right side of the issue. I plan to be in Oak Creek with her tomorrow at the planned rally where she is speaking. Finally, I’m impressed by the solid guidance she’s received from Workers United," shared Jennifer, Hannah's mother.
We got to chat with Hannah about how her parents have influenced her to organize a union with her coworkers and stand up for better working conditions.
Hannah, what was your first experience with or memory of unionism?
When I was in 6th grade, my parents took us out of school for a day to protest Act 10 in Madison. Obviously as an 11 year old, I didn’t fully grasp the politics of what was going on, but the energy of the protests were invigorating and something that has stuck with me still to this day.
How have your parents influenced you to uphold and carry on union values?
Growing up, our family always discussed current events. We were always allowed to ask questions and come to whatever conclusions made sense to us. I think the way my parents talked to me about politics/current events influenced the way I initially approached my co-workers about unionizing.
What motivates you to organize a union at Starbucks?
We talked about what was happening in Buffalo and if we weren’t talking specifically about unions, we were talking about something else, whether it was Covid policies or our wages, it would eventually circle back to “and if we had a union this would be something we’d have a say in.” Our top goals are improved wages and better Covid/safety protocols.
When did organizing a union at Starbucks become a reality for you?
It was a slow day just after the holidays and we were very understaffed due to Covid. Over half of our store was out either because they had tested positive or had come in close contact with someone who had tested positive. The few of us that were able to work were left feeling incredibly disrespected and unsafe. After that day, we decided it was time to reach out to Workers United. If we didn't, it would have stayed something we just talk about sometimes.
What has the company/management response been like?
For our store the response hasn’t been too strong from corporate or our district manager, yet. The small response we have gotten has not been in favor of the union at all.
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Do you feel like advocating for yourself in the workplace has changed any other areas of your life?
This entire experience has brought me a lot of confidence. I feel much more sure of myself and what I want now. I think this experience has had a similar effect on a lot of people in our store, especially those in the organizing committee. I feel so proud of all of our growth.
If you are near Oak Creek this weekend, be sure to stop in and order a coffee under the name, "Union Strong," to show your support.
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Next Region 3 Roundtable
March 1st, 6pm
This year, CPI is set at 4.7%, which provides Locals with an opportunity to win more at the negotiations table than in past years.
Now's the time to gear up and develop a game plan with your Meet & Confer/Negotiations Team. Join us for a conversation on negotiating CPI, what's happening throughout the state and across the county.
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The pandemic threw elementary teachers for a curveball when it came to reading. Now, students are back in the classroom, and some need a little encouragement to improve in the subject. Appleton's Ferber Elementary third-grade classmates have come to a consensus. The brand new book vending machine is the perfect addition to their library.
“I was really shocked when I saw it because it was humongous and it had all the books I liked," said one third grade student. Library/media specialist and Region 3 member Sara Wayland says the vending machine is simple to use.
“Students earn gold tokens to be able to get a book then be able to keep it," said Wayland.
Wayland says the students earn the gold coins in class with good behavior, attitude and hard work.
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Region 3 is taking nominations for Executive Committee positions:
Delegates to the WEAC Region 3 RA will be electing the following positions to the WR3 Executive Committee:
- Officer positions for two-year terms: President and Vice President
- At-large position for one-year term: ESP Member-at-Large
- Zone Leaders for one-year term: Zones A, B, C, D North, D South, E, F.
To determine which Zone your local is in, please click HERE. To view the duties of each, please click HERE.
In order to be elected to one of these positions, nominees must be a local delegate (either the local president or their alternate, or elected by the local) or delegate-at-large to the May 14 WR3 RA.
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Wisconsin State Statute 118.22 governs the renewal and NON-renewal of full-time teacher contracts
This important deadline is approaching:
For full-time teacher contracts that a District does NOT want to renew for the 2022-23 school year, the school board must notify with a preliminary notice of non-renewal on OR before April 30, 2022. This timeline applies regardless of the reason for non-renewal, i.e., performance, economic reasons, declining enrollment, etc.
A preliminary notice of non-renewal must be voted on and issued by the school board (not an administrator).
Many teachers have already been given some kind of indication that the District is thinking about non-renewal. These teachers may be on a plan of improvement. For teachers under this scrutiny, the preliminary notice of non-renewal may come well before the deadline of April 30th.
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Union members who may be in danger of non-renewal, as well as leaders and building reps working with those members, should contact the Region 3 office as soon as possible.
Once preliminary notice of non-renewal is given to an educator, they only have five calendar days to request a hearing before the school board.
Please do not wait until the preliminary notice has already been issued!
Individual Contract Deadlines:
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April 30 - preliminary notice of nonrenewal
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May 15 - final notice of nonrenewal
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May 15 - issuing individual contracts
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June 15 - accept or reject individual contract
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Wisconsin Lifetime License Background Check
Wis. Admin Code s. PI 34.041 requires educators who hold a valid Lifetime license to submit a request to the department to have a new background check conducted and to confirm employment status at least once every five years. The request shall be made between January 1 and June 30 of the fifth year since the individual's last background check. If your most recent background check was in 2017, you are due to submit an application to DPI in order to maintain your Lifetime license. You must submit this application to DPI by June 30, 2022, to maintain your Lifetime license.
Follow the Application Directions for Background Check to Maintain Lifetime License to submit your background check HERE .
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Next Region 3/GBEA National Board Support Session - March 17
WEAC, Region 3 and GBEA have organized ongoing monthly National Board Support for the 2021-2022 cycle. Sessions will be held in person at the WEAC Region 3 office but with a virtual option and facilitated by Sarah Johnston (Marinette) and Ellie Hinz-Radue (Green Bay).
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Campaign Kickoff
Through the Just One campaign last year, we were able to quadruple the number of new members we normally recruit with Early Enrollment! Given it's success, we are continuing this program starting April 1st of this year. We will have a training available to members who want to participate in the program and learn how to strengthen their union. Our training will be Thursday, April 7th at 4:30. Register HERE.
Members who successfully recruit new members through Early Enrollment will be entered to win up to ten $50 gift cards. Participants will receive weekly email updates containing wins and best practices from around the Region!
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The WEAC Representative Assembly will be held April 30, with a virtual or in-person option. The in-person meeting will be in Madison. With two options to participate, local associations are encouraged to send delegates to help shape the future of our union.
Local presidents will receive emails to report delegates in early March. The deadline for delegates to register is April 20.
The NEA Representative Assembly is July 2-6 in Chicago, with in-person and virtual options.
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WEAC Webinar Wednesday
On Wednesday, March 2, be sure to register for Informational Design for Teaching and Learning. Information design is the practice of organizing and arranging information, which includes text, graphics, and other elements. Whether you’re aware of it or not, you follow or break principles of information design every time you create a document, presentation, or other form of communication. In this session, you’ll learn the basics of information design, and discover ways that you can use those basics to sharpen, clarify, and enhance your communication with students, families, colleagues, and organizations.
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This year's conference will be held in a hybrid format, with the in-person component back once again at the Community Engagement Center in Whitewater, Wisconsin. There will be a full day of activities planned, from a morning keynote by Dean Robin Fox of the College of Education and Professional Studies at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, to a diverse group of speakers in many great sessions throughout the day. Those who attend in person will also receive a catered lunch and a special end-of-day panel event as a part of their admission cost. Though the conference has been mainly geared towards Aspiring Educators in the past, they are expanding the target audience to include Early Career Educators this year as well; the sessions will be equally valuable for both Aspiring Ed and Early Career Ed members!
Anyone who wants to attend can reach the registration link by scanning the QR code above or by visiting www.tinyurl.com/3rdSecondaryEdRegistration! It can also be found on Facebook and Instagram, where the username is @SecondaryEdConference on both! A complete list of sessions for the day can be found on the registration site. |
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Check with your municipal clerk for specific dates and times for registering to vote, requesting an absentee ballot, in-person early voting, and election day voting.
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Spring Elections Are
Right Around the Corner!
Help elect the candidates for local school boards who will fight for healthy, safe, and well-funded public schools and the educators that make those schools great!
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And if you really like politics . .
The Region 3 Legislative Committee has openings for a Committee Chair and Committee Members.
As public employees, Region 3 members are tremendously impacted by politics, the political process, and the decisions made by legislators, legislatures, and school boards. If you are looking for a way to contribute to Region 3, the Legislative Committee needs your passion, experience, and knowledge to formulate plans, identify priorities, and generate a sustainable voice for members in the political process.
The Committee generally meets a couple times each year with at least a virtual option. For in-person meetings, food and mileage reimbursement will be provided. If interested email Region 3.
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If you have recently moved, gotten a new phone number or email address, changed schools or banking information, please contact Region 3 staff assistant Debbie Armitage or Sue Clauss. They will be able to make any changes to your records. This information helps us ensure that we are able to stay connected with you.
They can both be reached by phone at 920-496-2440.
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This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members |
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WEAC Region 3
1136 N. Military Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54303.
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