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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,
Our efforts to demand statewide gating criteria are growing! We've collected Health and Safety grievances from all over the state. The information is truly eye-opening. Our team has shown just how varied and unstable districts' safety plans are. Most alarmingly it shows a pattern of disregarding science on decisions that will impact so many people.
On November 12, Wisconsin reported 7,497 new positive cases, 58 new deaths, a 36.4% positivity rate over a seven-day period, and 90.6% of ICU hospital beds are in use. The latest White House Coronavirus Task Force report shows Wisconsin has the third highest infection rate in the nation. All but seven Wisconsin counties have “critically high” burden rates. The remaining Wisconsin counties have “very high” burden rates. Now is not the time to disregard science.
Our WEAC legal team has compiled the grievances in a report that will be given to Andrea Palm at DHS. We are looking forward to their response early next week.
But our work isn't done yet.
If we want to win statewide gating criteria:
We have to keep working together!
Depending on the response, we may need to take action next week and lobby Andrea Palm and Tony Evers. If you want to be the point person for moving this in your local, please contact your leadership and your Region 3 director. Should we need to, we will be sharing ways to take action in our Region 3 members only Facebook page and reaching out to local leaders!
In Solidarity,
Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
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Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, November 17, Zone B Meeting, 4:30PM
Wednesday, November 18, FVTC Meeting, 3:45
Thursday, December 3, Pick Your Boss! A Training on Electing Pro-Education School Board Members , 6PM
Wednesday, December 9, Executive Committee Meeting, 6PM
Saturday, January 30, Winter Recharge, All Day
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Recertification News!!!
Voting began at noon on Wednesday, November 4
and ends at noon on Tuesday, November 24
The locals listed to the right have petitioned to recertify.
(There is an option to vote by phone, but given past issues with that system, Region 3 recommends using the online voting process.)
As a reminder, certification with the WERC requires 51% or more of ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS to vote “YES” in favor of being represented by the Local Association & WEAC Region 3. This election is unique because all ballots not returned are counted as “NO” votes. Therefore, encourage ALL of your co-workers to vote "YES."
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- Appleton EA (teachers)
- Bonduel EA
- Cedar Grove-Belgium EA
- Chilton EA
- Coleman EA
- Crandon EA
- De Pere EA
- Florence EA
- Gillett EA
- Howards Grove EA
- Kiel EA
- Laona EA
- Little Chute EA
- Luxemburg-Casco EA
- Manitowoc EA
- Marinette EA
- New Holstein EA
- Niagara EA
- Niagara ESP
- Oconto EA
- Oostburg EA
- Pembine EA
- Peshtigo EA
- Plymouth EA
- Port Washington-Saukville EA
- Port Washington-Saukville ESP
- Random Lake EA
- Sevastopol EA
- Sheboygan EA
- Stockbridge EA
- Two Rivers EA
- Wabeno EA
- Wausaukee EA
- White Lake EA
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Additional Recert Voting Information:
- Your vote is secret.
- Voting "Yes" does not obligate anyone to become a member.
- All employees in a bargaining unit vote, not just union members.
- If you have problems voting, call 1-800-529-5218 during the hours of 10 am to 6 pm Monday-Friday.
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If that does not resolve the problem, report the issue to Region 3 at 920-496-2440, 800-472-5582 or email Region3@weac.org.
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On Thursday, December 3, Region 3 will conduct a workshop on how we can help Pro-Education candidates get elected to school boards! The workshop will be on Zoom from 6-7:30.
You have the unique opportunity to pick your boss
so let's make the most of it!
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Winter Recharge,
a day of member-led professional development, is on the horizon!
Saturday, January 30th, we will host a day of workshops and we need you to teach! Have a topic you are passionate about? Know someone that has helped others with a skill? Fill out our application to present a workshop. Last year we had Yoga, Mindfulness in our Classrooms and so much more! Fill out the form HERE.
All facilitators will be given a stipend of $200.
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WEAC Join Now ONLINE
Member Sign Up
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WEAC online member sign-up, Join Now, is now available to provide a convenient and fast way for educators to become members of our union.
In a series of simple screens, educators can enter their information to become a member. This feature is especially useful during one-on-one membership conversations. While the process is entirely online, it is recommended that organizers and leaders stay with educators through the sign-up process to answer any questions that might arise.
For an overview of the Join Now experience, click here.
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Region 3
Special Education Networking Meeting
When: November 16, 2020 @ 4:30 PM
Register in advance for this meeting HERE.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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EDUCATION SUPPORT PERSONNEL CONNECTION CALL FOR ALL ESP'S
WEAC Region 3 would now like to invite members and potential members to these meetings. This is your opportunity, Region 3 members, to bring a non-member friend. Let's show them the value of union membership!
Region 3 created an ESP Connection Call to check in with one another, keep each other in the loop and plan our next steps. It was discovered that now more than ever ESP staff need to be in contact with each other to discuss what their districts are doing, best practices and how to implement them in their own district. The global pandemic has revealed that schools are the social safety nets for many of our communities and that those safety nets work because you do.
Please join us on Monday, December 14 at 4:30 pm via zoom to participate in this important conversation.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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You are Invited!
WR3's ALL-MEMBER
Virtual Gathering
Wednesday, December 9
4:30 - 5:30 pm
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Please note that you need to PRE-Register for the meeting by clicking on the link above. Then an email will be sent to you with the login link.
We look forward to SEEING you!
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WEAC WEEKLY WEBINAR WEDNESDAY
Every Wednesday between 6-7 p.m. WEAC members have access to a webinar highlighting relevant teaching and learning topics. This Wednesday, November 18, if you’ve been using Seesaw and you’re ready for more, this session is for you. Create unique and useful custom activities, learn how to app smash and bring Seesaw into student conferences.
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A complete listing of the webinars and the registration link can be found HERE.
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WEAC Webinars for Parents |
Have parents looking for resources about making the most of virtual learning? Want to connect with parents?
WEAC has put together some great webinars! Topics include navigating online platforms, academic supports & resources and special education needs.
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Region 3/GBEA National Board Support Sessions
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WEAC, Region 3 and GBEA have organized ongoing monthly National Board Support for the 2020-2021 cycle. Sessions will be held virtually until further notice and facilitated by Sarah Johnston (Marinette). |
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Using Restorative Practices in Schools |
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Gain an in-depth understanding of what it means to operate from a restorative lens and how the practices can be used in schools. This WEA Academy six-week, three-credit course, features group chats, reflective group discussions and personal writing.
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Important Deadlines
JANUARY 15: Nominations are due by January 15 for WEAC Secretary-Treasurer, NEA Director, Seat #1, Alternate NEA Director, and MGR Alternate to the WEAC Board of Directors to be decided at the Representative Assembly in April. All persons desiring to be candidates for these positions shall file their intention in the office of the Executive Director, P.O. Box 8003, Madison WI 53708-8003. Such notice must be given no later than January 15, 2021. Please contact Ann Caruso for paperwork for filing for these positions. She can be reached at CarusoA@weac.org or 800-362-8034, extension 219.
JANUARY 15: The deadline for submitting proposed changes to WEAC Bylaws, Constitution, Standing Rules or Resolutions is January 15. Changes should be submitted to the Office of the WEAC Executive Director, P.O. Box 8003, Madison WI 53708.
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Clicking on that tab gives you access to a Google Drive with all kinds of updated information. We have posted a document with links and resources, recordings of virtual gatherings, an Excel version of our survey data, and more.
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The Wisconsin Labor History Society announces its Essay Contest for the 2020-2021 School Year for Wisconsin high school students (Grades 9-12). Win cash prizes up to $500. Write essays of about 750 words on the topic:
"Unions have been important to my family and my community because. . ."
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Political Action
This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members.
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Elections Recap
Election day in Wisconsin yielded a mixed bag of results. Let’s start with the good news. Wisconsin was one of a handful of swing states that helped push President-elect Joe Biden and VP-elect Kamala Harris over the 270 electoral vote mark. The Biden-Harris ticket won Wisconsin by ~20,500 votes, roughly the same as President Trump’s 2016 margin of victory in the state. Looking closer to home, within the counties represented by Region 3, only Door and Menominee went for Biden. Things remained unchanged at the Congressional level in WI with Republicans retaining 5 of 8 districts.
Despite Democrats receiving 46% of votes cast in Assembly races, they won only 38 of 99 seats across the state. That represents a gain of two seats by Democrats, both in suburban Milwaukee. Within Region 3, Republicans won 12 of the 14 contested Assembly races. Four additional Assembly Districts represented by Republicans had no challengers.
Likewise, Democrats received 47% of votes cast in State Senate races but won only 12 of 33 seats. That is a gain of two seats by Republicans, which came within 600 votes of having a veto-proof super-majority in the Senate. Included in the loss was retiring Senator Dave Hansen’s seat in SD 30. Dave is a former educator, union member, and long-time supporter of issues important to Region 3 members.
The fact that Dems received nearly 50% of the vote, but only ~37% of the seats in the Assembly and Senate shows just how badly our state has been gerrymandered. The general public wants fair maps, as evidenced by the fact that more than a dozen counties and municipalities in the state approved nonbinding referendums in favor of nonpartisan redistricting. The referendum passed in all 11 counties – including Brown and Door - and three municipalities. A total of 28 of the state’s 72 counties and 16 municipalities have passed such a referendum over the last few years. Six districts within Region 3 successfully passed referendums (Clintonville, Marinette, Niagara, Sevastopol, and Southern Door), while a referendum in Florence failed.
It was a long, contentious election cycle. However, we now get a reprieve from Statewide elections until 2022, when the offices of Governor Evers and US Senator Johnson are up for election. However, school board elections will take place next April and Region 3 strongly encourages locals to screen candidates and be involved in those elections. After all, who has more control of working conditions than your district’s board of education? Contact your Region 3 Director to get more information on school board elections and, on Thursday December 3rd, attend Pick Your Boss! - A Training on Electing Pro-Education School Board Members-RSVP here!
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WEAC Region 3
1136 N. Military Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54303
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