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BTU Update #3 Updates & Opportunities

Dear Members,

I continue to hear from teachers and PSRPs about Health and Safety violations at your schools and worksites, and as I am visiting schools, I am able to see first hand conditions that should make all staff and families concerned. Please continue to do everything you can to keep yourselves and your students safe. I am pressing the district for answers to the many questions you are asking, and as they are forthcoming, I will be communicating them to you. This week the union and the district are continuing to meet to negotiate the district’s vaccine mandate for staff, and we have not yet reached agreement on many of the parts of our proposals. Finally, I am urging all BTU members to properly wear their masks in all schools and worksites, and please respect and follow all social distancing guidelines.

This week’s update is coming to you on Thursday because of Monday’s Labor Day Holiday, but the BTU Member Update will usually be sent out on Tuesdays. This week’s blast contains information about Teacher Contract Information Sessions, registration for the BTU Executive Board meeting later this week, a save the date for QuEST, as well as petitions from the Union of Concerned Scientists and a local group of parents who are demanding higher safety standards in Baltimore City Public Schools. There’s also a part-time job opportunity for our members with a social work license, and information about the Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival on September 18th.

Member Updates

  • Please be advised that biweekly member dues will be increased by $0.21 to $48.32 starting September 17th, 2021 due to an annual per capita increase by AFT National.
  • Please be advised that the modified dues rate will be increased by $0.10 to $24.27 starting September 17th, 2021 due to an annual per capita increase by AFT National.
  • Due to increased safety concerns about potential COVID transmission, the BTU Holiday Party will not be held in 2021. The BTU Holiday Party is currently scheduled to resume in 2022.

BTU TEACHER CHAPTER CONTRACT INFORMATION SESSIONS

 
The BTU will hold its ratification vote for the Teacher Chapter contract during the second half September, with electronic and in-person voting options. As shared previously, the proposed contract contains a 2.25% for each of the next two years, no changes to this year’s health care, and many other hard fought, historic gains. To learn more, please see this Tentative Agreement Summary, which includes all new additions to the Teacher Chapter contract.
 
The BTU will also be holding a series of Zoom meetings for those interested in learning more about the contract. Some of these meetings will be held as general sessions, while others will be focused on particular job titles that have unique language within the contract. You must be a member and be sure register in advance to participate.
 
 
 
Thursday, September 9, 4:30-5:30
 
Monday, September 13, 4:00-5:00
 
Monday, September 13, 5:00-6:00
 
Tuesday, September 14, 4:00-5:00
 
Wednesday, September 15, 4:00-5:00
 
Thursday, September 16, 4:00-5:00
 
Monday, September 20, 4:00-5:00
 
Tuesday, September 21, 4:00-5:00
 
Thursday, September 23, 4:00-5:00
 
Tuesday, September 28, 4:00-5:00
 
Wednesday, September 29, 4:00-5:00
 
Wednesday, September 29, 5:00-6:00

WATCH THE SEPTEMBER 9TH BTU EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING @ 6:30PM

 
 
This webinar will give members an opportunity to observe the BTU Executive Board Meeting on September 9 at 6:30pm.
 
Members will need to register and have their membership checked before being sent a Zoom link to join the webinar as an “Attendee”. The email will be from “BTU Admin #2”. Check your spam folder!
 
Attendees can observe the meeting, will see the Panelists (Executive Board Members) that have their cameras on, see screen sharing, and hear all the audio.
 
Attendees will not be able to chat with Panelists or other Attendees. Attendees will not be able to raise their hand. Attendees will be able to observe the meeting but not participate in the meeting.
 
THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR IS: SEPTEMBER 9 AT 5:45PM. NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE CHECKED AFTER THIS DATE/TIME.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Monday, September 27, 2021
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
 

Attend the General Membership Meeting to cast your vote and get involved.

Click here to register: bit.ly/btugmm1

The Sept 27th General Membership Meeting will be a virtual webinar. Please register so your membership can be checked by Marisha Ingram, Membership Associate, and you will be sent the Zoom link so you can join the webinar. The email will be from “BTU Admin #2”. Check your spam folder!

General Membership Meetings will be held quarterly (Sept 27, Dec 6, Mar 7, June 6) from 5:30-7:30pm.

DEADLINE FOR REGISTERING FOR THIS WEBINAR IS SEPT 26TH AT 11:59PM.
NO REGISTRATIONS AFTER THIS DATE/TIME WILL BE CHECKED.

BALTIMORE PARENT PETITION TO BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL LEADERS

read the full petition and sign here

The reopening horror stories from the southern United States with outbreaks on the first day of school, overwhelmed pediatric hospitals, and deaths of children within days of getting infected are there for all to see. Governor Hogan, Superintendent Choudhury, Mayor Scott, and Dr. Santelises, you have the authority to prevent such a situation in Baltimore City. We are anticipating vaccine approval for the 5-11 age group in the coming months. Until such time as all children can be vaccinated, we, parents of Baltimore City School Children, ask you to meet these demands immediately.

SIGN THE UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS’ PETITION AND TELL THE CDC TO COLLECT BETTER DATA ON BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS AND EMERGING VARIANTS.

In May, the agency stopped collecting data on breakthrough infections that don’t result in hospitalization, blinding us to the full implications of the Delta variant. The CDC’s continued failure to collect this data continues to put people at risk. Now that the science is clear on the dangers of the highly transmissible Delta variant, which is now the dominant strain in the United States, the CDC must do a better job of collecting data and staying on top of new developments. As our kids head back to school, ensuring that we have the correct data and science-based guidance is all the more critical.

To protect public health, the main thing we need to do is get more people vaccinated. However, we also need to collect essential data on COVID-19 cases and transmission so that we’re able to respond quickly to new developments with smart evidence-based policies.

 
The Pro Bono Counseling Project has an immediate need for a part-time Mental Health WARMLine Associate to provide clinical support services to Marylanders through its warm line. PBCP created its mental health WARMLine to provide brief, telephone based support for Marylanders who are experiencing stress, anxiety, worries, and grief.
 
This is a remote position that requires a LBSW, LMSW, LGPC, or LMFT license (other mental health licenses and graduate students enrolled in counseling programs may be considered). Shifts available are weekdays from 6:00 – 8:00 PM and weekends from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM.


BALTIMORE COUNTY AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL CELEBRATES ITS 25TH YEAR

The Festival celebrates the rich and thriving traditions of the African American community, brings together local and national recording artists and entertainers, small businesses, as well as Fortune 500 companies, to engage with thousands of attendees. The Festival continues to be a vibrant and exciting event that has become one of Baltimore Countyʼs proudest traditions. The event is free of charge for attendees, family-oriented and located on the streets surrounding the Towson Courthouse Plaza. Traditionally, the Festival is held on the third Saturday in the month of September. The festival serves as a vehicle to showcase Baltimore Countyʼs vibrant communities and its residents. It also serves as a means of raising funds to support charitable programs charged to the Festival Board, such as scholarships, summer camps, and historical preservation projects. The Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

CCBC TEACHER (RE)CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE

Fall 2021 ONLINE Courses

Enroll Today at https://www.ccbcmd.edu/Resources-for-Students/Registering-for-Classes/Register-for-Fall.aspx


7-week, 10-week and 15-week options         All Courses are 100% online!

FREE WELLNESS AND FITNESS CLASSES FOR BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS STAFF

Full- and part-time employees have free access to Burnalong, a fitness platform that features thousands of live and on-demand fitness classes. The program also gives you the social motivation that will help you reach your health and wellness goals by sharing access with four friends or family members.

Click here to register and view Burnalong classes.

September 2021 – Suicide Prevention Awareness

You may have a friend or loved one who reaches a low point in life and wants to die by suicide.

Is there anything you can do to help?

Yes, there might be. It’s not an easy path to follow, but intervention by family and friends sometimes turns a person back toward positive thinking.

Your EAP is confidential, customized for your needs, and available at no cost to you.

1-866-529-8063     bcs.mybeaconwellbeing.com

For more resources, please visit Beacon’s Client Resources Page: Suicide Prevention Awareness  

September Webinar – Kindness

Learn about the science behind kindness – and how to find ways to practice kindness in today’s world. See attached webinar invite for more information.

Register Now >>

The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act is the labor law reform we need to protect workers and democracy. If the PRO Act passes in the Senate, President Biden will sign it into law.
 
Tell your senators that you support unions, working people and the PRO Act!
 
Workers’ rights are under attack.
Our outdated labor laws have been chipped away and weakened by anti-worker legislators. Every day, we hear about corporations openly union-busting and retaliating against workers without consequence.
 
That’s why we need the PRO Act, the most significant worker empowerment legislation since the Great Depression. If it passes, it would:
 
  • Empower workers to form unions and bargain over wages and work conditions.
  • Hold corporations accountable for union-busting.
  • Repeal “right to work” laws, which were created during the Jim Crow era to divide Black and White workers.
  • When we have strong unions, we have higher wages, safer working conditions and dignity for all people who work. Passing the PRO Act is our first step to getting there.
 
Whether your senators support the PRO Act or not, help us keep up the pressure and make it clear to them that the PRO Act is a priority for working people. Add your name today.

Do you have questions for President Diamonté Brown? Do you have a story that you want to share?

Are you curious about her-story? Want exclusive information? Let’s Talk!

LisTEN is a monthly Town Hall where a panel featuring up to TEN BTU members ask questions and share ideas stories, observations, affirmations, inspiration and thoughts. President Brown will answer your questions that you submit in the chat and comments during our TEN minute Lightning Round!

When you are interested in being a panelist , please contact Chris Bilal, PSRP Member Engagement Team Associate , at cbilal@baltu.org.

USE THIS BTU FORM TO REPORT HEALTH AND SAFETY VIOLATIONS

As members volunteer and are mandated to work in person at school sites, the BTU has created an online reporting form in order to document positive and suspected COVID cases. This online reporting form can also be used to report:

This form is NOT meant to replace reported violations sent to supervisors, it is a supplement that will allow union membership a single, consistent, and safe place to report to BTU so that we are able to most efficiently and effectively support staff.

We will continue fighting for your safety whether you are working at home, or in a building whether voluntary or mandated. Please email info@baltu.org or your field rep if you have questions about how to fill out this form.