Dear Brothers & Sisters:
The NTU/NPS negotiations teams met yesterday. The next meeting will be scheduled soon. The NTU Negotiations Team advises the membership to continue to “support the Respect the Contract Initiatives Phases I & II, write your legislators and prepare for January 19th Day of Action.” At today’s Bldg. Rep. Mtg. we will be providing details for the Day of Action.
Today I visited two schools that were rocked by fatal violence last night, East Side and Hawkins Street. Last month I visited George Washington Carver for similar reasons. At these locations I watched and thanked our courageous members dealing with the impact. From intensive grief counselling to simply comforting a scared child with a hug. Providing Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
There isn’t enough compensation in the world that can cover the cost of the emotional drain we must suffer through on behalf of the children in our care. When I taught at Burnet Street School, across from Baxter Terrace, it was a heartbreak a day, I know. However, there is no value we can place on the overwhelming joy we feel when we see a student achieve what they once thought unachievable, or learning something completely new to them for the first time.
We can never ask for compensation for the ephemeral things but we can and should demand, because we deserve it, a fair and equitable contract. So if you haven’t done so already please join me and help support the NTU Negotiations Team by asking your local elected representatives and legislative leadership to direct Chris Cerf to focus on what is important for Newark’s students and families.
Just click here https://actionnetwork.org/
Ever Onward Towards Victory,
John M Abeigon
President & Director of Organization
Newark Teachers Union, Local 481, AFT, AFL-CIO