NTU Update - February 2, 2018

Colleagues,

1)      Emancipation Celebration – After 22 years of state control, Newark Public Schools were finally emancipated on Feb 1, 2018.  On Friday, February 9, there will be a celebration at Newark Symphony Hall at 4 PM to mark this tremendous occasion!  All NTU members and allies are invited!

2) Special Education Assistance - The NTU has an email set up for members to get assistance with special education questions and issues: NTUSpEd@NewarkTeachersunion.com.  We are also working on getting a Special Education Council in place to review bigger issues regarding Child Study Team and Special Education Issues.  More to come. 

3) TEACHER, AIDE, CLERK ALERT - Unfounded child abuse allegations have exploded against Newark staff in recent weeks by parents and students. Tenure charges and non-tenured teacher terminations follow as well as civil service teacher aide discipline and terminations.

Extreme cautionary measures must be followed and discussed by staff and building reps and committees in light of constant and contagious student verbalization to have staff removed and fired.  If you have any questions, please reach out to NTU's General Counsel Eugene Liss 973-890-1819.

4) The JANUS DECISION - The NTU, and every union across the country is anticipating a decision by the US Supreme Court within the next two months on theJANUS v AFSCME case (The JANUS case).  This case is another attack on Unions of every kind and its decision may have IMMEDIATE ramifications.  We are cooperating with our State and National unions to develop a plan of action should the decision come down against unions.  Now more than ever, we must remain UNION STRONG and UNITED

5) BLACK LIVES MATTER WEEK OF ACTION  - February 5th to February 10th is BLACK LIVES MATTER WEEK OF ACTION.

The NTU Committee for Community Engagement and Social Justice wrote and presented to the NTU Exec Board on 1/17 a Resolution of Support.  Having been passed by the NTU Executive Board, it was presented to the NPS Board of Education on 1/23 and is being included herein.  In support of the initiative, on our website Newark.nj.aft.org, next week, we will include additional links to supplemental materials for use in some classrooms.

6)      Member Services: Members should never hesitate to communicate with us by phone, email, etc  regarding any of the issues we handle at the Newark Teachers Union.

• Supplemental Fringe Benefits
• Planning for Retirement
• Pension & Buy Back Issues
• ER+D Staff Development
• AFT Membership Benefits
• FMLA and other leaves of absence
• Assistance with Evaluations and Observations
• Disciplinary Hearings
• Labor Relations & Payroll
• Legal Representation
• Workers Comp
• Tuition Reimbursement

Your Union in Action: what was going on an NTU this week?

• NTU President John Abeigon attended the ceremony to mark the official transition of Newark Public Schools back to local control.
• The NTU hosted Staff Development at our offices for the Office of Special Education.
• The NTU Negotiations Committee reviewed drafts of 2015-2019 contract books, which we hope to have in your hands soon.

Reminder!  If you are in the area, swing by the NTU offices to pick up your NTU insulated coffee/tea travel mug. You can even fill it for free.