PVFT Newsletter, April 2011

April 2011

After weeks of negotiations, union and district officials signed a settlement and compromise agreement last week. Union leaders were able to save about 85 jobs, among other compromises.

Though more than 200 educators received pink slips in early March, union leaders negotiated a maximum of 123 certificated employee layoffs.

Additional general highlights of the settlement agreement include:

• The district is prohibited from hiring contract workers or creating non-union positions to fill positions previously held by certificated employees.

• Educators working at PLA (persistently lowest achieving) schools — Watsonville High School and EA Hall — now have an extended deadline of April 18 to request a transfer to another school.

Getting Stepped On At Work?Workplace Bullying Is On the Rise

In This Issue... Page• Union Negotiates Settlement in Layoffs ............................... 1• Workplace Bullying on the Rise ........................................... 1• PVFT Teachers Rally ........................................................... 2• Teachers Serving Breakfast in the Classroom ..................... 3• Hundreds Gather at CFT Convention .................................. 4• PVUSD 2011-2012 Calendar .............................................. 10• PVFT Upcoming Events ...................................................... 11• Connect Online .................................................................... 11• Comics, Puzzle & More ....................................................... 12

See BULLY • page 9

Our Union:

1189Teachers Strong

• Continuing employees shall receive written notification of their grade level and/or subject assignment and school assignment by June 20.

• Vacant positions will be posted by May 17 — though possibly as early as May 4.

• Displaced teachers will have first priority to choose vacancies at their site and then within the district.

• Displaced employees will have 48 hours to make their choice.

See LAYOFFS • page 9

No longer solely a playground issue, bullying has become rampant in the workplace. It’s a problem for more than 53 million Americans, according to a 2010 WBI-Zogby scientific national poll (www.workplacebullying.org). The study also found 34.4 percent of Americans report personally being bullied.

Workplace bullying is defined as “repeated mistreatment, sabotage of others that prevented work from getting done, verbal abuse, threatening conduct, intimidation or humiliation.”

Local 1936

Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers • AFT-CFT AFL-CIO

NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTERUnion Negotiates Settlement in LayoffsBy Gabriana Marks

By Gabriana Marks

http://www.workplacebullying.org

http://www.workplacebullying.org

Taxing Richest 1% Additional 1% Could Mean $2.5 Billion for Education, ServicesBy Josh Pechthalt, CFT PresidentCalifornia Progress Report

The California Federation of Teachers (CFT) recently released new polling results showing 78 percent of voters support increasing income taxes on the top 1 percent of Californians by 1 percent. Such a tax would return the richest Californians close to the rate they paid in the mid-1990s, when Pete Wilson was governor. CFT is calling for the progressive tax to be part of a package to resolve California’s budget crisis.

Josh PechthaltCFT President Elect

“Visionary Leadership for Challenging Times”www.joshandjeff4cft.com

Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers Newsletter April 2011

TOOLKIT FORCAMPUS

TEACH-INS

www.we-r-1.orgAPRIL 2011

RESPECTOUR RIGHTSRESPECTOUR RIGHTS

On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, where he had gone to stand with sanitation workers demanding their dream: The right to bargain collectively for a voice at work and a better life.

On Monday, April 4, 2011, local coalitions participated in nationwide actions to support Wisconsin workers, public services and the middle class. Organizers of the rally at the Santa Cruz County Government Center stated, “Dr. King was killed in Memphis, TN, where he had stood with sanitation workers who were struggling for the right to bargain collectively. The

By Jenn Laskin

actions by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker to eliminate collective bargaining — and the gradual eroding of the American middle class — only undermine that struggle.”

In Watsonville, more than 100 PVUSD educators and staff members rallied on the main plaza to honking horns and loud community support. We will continue to make our voices heard for educational justice!

Supporters at the rally wore stickers featuring the message to the left.

Below photo credit: Register-Pajaronian

More Than 100 Rally for Teacher Rights

Above photos credit: Register-Pajaronian

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http://www.joshandjeff4cft.com

http://www.joshandjeff4cft.com


While the importance of breakfast is not in question, the implementation of the Breakfast in the Classroom program is causing tension.

“It does take extra time,” said one second-grade teacher. “I’m lucky to have wonderful parents helping, but not everyone has that. Still, it cuts into instructional time.”

Administrators put forth two reasons for the School Breakfast Programs (SBP):

• Children who eat breakfast will score higher on math tests.

• The district can earn extra revenue by serving more breakfasts.

“Research consistently shows that hungry students cannot learn,” according to former State Superintendent of Public Education, Jack O’Connell. “The SBP is an easy way to enhance children’s health and improve their academic achievement.”

Higher testing scores would be universally celebrated, however, given the reduced instructional time from the current SBP, it’s difficult to expect less teaching to produce higher scores.

Teacher or Custodian? Breakfast in the Classroom Brings Added Duties

By Gabriana Marks

Though some teachers support the program, more than half of those surveyed at one elementary school were against it. Reasons cited included less instructional time, spilt milk and the ensuing stench, ants and loss of crucial teacher prep time.

“Breakfast in the Classroom detracts from the academic focus of the classroom,” said another teacher who rolled out the program to her class recently. “We should better utilize the cafeteria.”

No classified staff is paid for this classroom food service. Students pick up wagons from the cafeteria and then teachers monitor the distribution and clean up. The

program’s profits require the free services of the classroom teacher, a consequence that has the union in talks with the district.

Breakfast at the Break is another option that’s been discussed.

The program is currently being implemented at Starlight, HA Hyde,

Calabasas and Landmark elementary schools. Ann Soldo Elementary is the next school set to begin Breakfast in the Classroom.

Union leaders have filed a grievance regarding this issue. In the meantime, teachers must abide by district mandates regarding breakfast. PVFT is working closely with site reps and teachers at affected schools.

Itʼs difficult to expect less teaching

to produce higher scores.

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1969The year the American Federation of

Teachers issued a charter to the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers

Hundreds Gather at CFT ConventionBy Jenn Laskin

The 69th annual California Federation of Teachers 2011 Convention was held March 18 to 20 in Manhattan Beach. The theme was “Standing Up, Standing Together, Speaking Out.” PVFT sent 12 delegates to the convention.

In a time of great challenges for public education, the convention provided members with the opportunity to work together to make changes for the better — for ourselves, for our students, and for California.

At the center of the convention was a discussion and debate around education and union policy. Much of this came from the resolutions submitted by locals and committees of the CFT.

This year we also remembered 100 years of free speech

battles that produced, often with great sacrifice from our members and others, the rights we

enjoy today, and which need continuous protection as we go forward.

We also elected new CFT President Josh Pechthalt and new Secretary-Treasurer Jeff Frietas.

The CFT's vitality and democracy depend on participation in the convention by delegates from all locals in good standing representing all the divisions — classified, community college, early childhood/K-12, adult education

and university — of the CFT.

This year was very successful. Our delegates attended workshops on political organizing, retirement issues, workplace bullying, the CA Dream Act

and union communication. Captivating speakers, such as the President of the Wisconsin Federation of Teachers, also addressed the convention.

PVFT sponsored a resolution calling for a moratorium on methyl iodide use, which was passed unanimously.

CFT's vitality and democracy depend

on delegate participation

in the convention.

CFT also recognized PVFT’s Jenn Laskin and Manny Ballesteros for being core marchers in the March for California’s Future.

Want more convention details? Ask the delegates: Liliana Barrios Don Brown Bertha Carlos Jack Carroll Andy Hsia Coron Kathleen Kilpatrick Louis LaFortune Jennifer Laskin Mike Melville Sarah Ringler Francisco Rodriguez Mamiche Young

Win a Staples Gift Card...Be one of the first 25 people to register online at www.pvft.net and email us your answer to the question below and you could win a Staples Gift Card!

What would inspire you to attend the End of Year Celebration on Friday, May 27th?

The first 25 responses emailed to [email protected] who have also registered online will win a $5 Staples card.

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http://www.pvft.net

http://www.pvft.net

mailto:[email protected]


Some teachers choose to pack up their classrooms after the school year ends. In the past, this has not been a problem. However, this year, because of the furlough days, it could be. Our contract does not limit what teachers volunteer to do on the furlough days, but if a custodian is asked to work on those furlough days, that’s not “volunteering,” and their agreement with the district gives them those days off.

If someone other than a classified employee, for example, your principal, is available to unlock your building and disable the alarm, you may volunteer to pack your room during furlough days. This will be a site-by-site possibility. Your principal is not obliged to work during the furlough days.

If your principal is under the impression that teachers are forbidden to volunteer during the furlough days, please notify a union officer so that we may clarify the facts.

Furlough Day Packing

By Jack Carroll


Annual Labor Awards DinnerFriday, April 29, 2011Cocktails: 6 p.m. & Dinner: 7 p.m.

Hyatt Regency Hotel & SpaOne Old Golf Course RoadMonterey, Calif. 93940(Sloat Avenue at Mark Thomas Drive)

At this celebration of solidarity, the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council will honor outstanding unionists of the year from more than 60 different unions. These activists are leading local efforts on the front lines — securing gains for working families throughout the Central Coast.

To join the PVFT-sponsored table, please rsvp to [email protected] by Monday, April 25.

Four PVFT members recently attended the Santa Cruz County Community Coalition to Overcome Racism workshop on “Undoing Institutional Racism.” The People’s Institute of Survival and Beyond, a 30-year old organizational expert in training communities on overcoming racism, facilitated this event.

The workshop moved beyond a focus on the symptoms of racism to an understanding of what it is, where it comes from, how it functions, why it persists and how it can be undone.

The core of the workshop’s systemic approach emphasized learning from history, developing leadership, maintaining accountability to communities, creating networks, undoing internalized racial oppression and understanding the role of organizational gate-keeping as a mechanism for perpetuating racism.

The information was valuable to

Workshop Strives to Eliminate Racism

By Jenn Laskin

our organization and will help expand the knowledge about this challenging and sometimes ignored topic. It is our hope that in sharing information, we all can make our community a much healthier, safer, and balanced place.

Through dialogue, reflection, role-playing, strategic planning and presentations, this intensive process challenged participants to analyze the structure of power and privilege that hinder racial equity.

All of our teachers received full scholarships for this workshop. If you are interested in attending a June workshop with SCCCOR, call the PVFT office to register.

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Thank You to Michael’s on Main

Teacher

More than 80 union members gathered for PVFT’s Teacher Happy Hour at Michael’s on Main’s creekside garden patio in Soquel on a balmy Friday evening in March.

PVFT thanks Michael’s on Main for their generosity, delectable appetizers and wonderful service! Teachers enjoyed special happy

By Gabriana Markshour deals, live music and socializing with other local teachers and union reps. We hope to see you at the next one!


PVFT Charters Retiree Chapter

Retired teachers have a wonderful opportunity to further serve the community and share their skills and knowledge through a retiree’s chapter.

Their collective wisdom and experience can be a powerful influence for improving public education and building a better future. Retirees also need to keep an eye on health care, pension and

By Lowell Hurst

quality of life issues, and a way to stay in contact with each other.

Lowell Hurst retired in June after 32 years with PVUSD and can be reached through the PVFT office.

120,000

No. of CFT Members

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On September 5, 1882, some 10,000 workers assembled in New York City to participate in America's first Labor Day parade. After marching from City Hall, past reviewing stands in Union Square, and then uptown to 42nd Street,

1882The first Labor Day

the workers and their families gathered in Wendel's Elm Park for a picnic, concert and speeches.

This first Labor Day celebration was eagerly organized and executed by New York’s Central Labor Union, an umbrella group

made up of representatives from many local unions. Debate continues to this day as to who originated the idea of a workers' holiday, but it definitely emerged from the ranks of organized labor at a time when they wanted to demonstrate the strength of their burgeoning movement and inspire improvements in their working conditions.

The home of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, now known as New York University’s Brown Building. Photo by Andrew Dolkart.

Today it’s not uncommon to hear an employer or employee speak metaphorically of “putting out fires”

By Jason Zasky at work. But once upon a time, at the Triangle Waist Company in downtown Manhattan, employees periodically found themselves extinguishing real fires while on the job. Usually, a pail of water was enough to snuff out a potential conflagration, but on Saturday March 25, 1911, a fire that began in a bin of scrap fabric could not be contained. By the time it was extinguished a half-hour later, the now infamous Triangle fire had claimed 146 lives making it the worst workplace disaster in New York history, a dubious distinction it held for more than 90 years.

Read more: http://failuremag.com/index.php/feature/article/the_triangle_shirtwaist_fire/#ixzz1Je0MYVMM

The Library of Congress American Memory, Today in History

Union History and Culture Rooted in Safety and Rights

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http://failuremag.com/index.php/feature/article/the_triangle_shirtwaist_fire/#ixzz1Je0MYVMM









Tax Breaks vs. Budget Cuts

House leaders are unfortunately restricting their proposed budget cuts for the remainder of fiscal year 2011 to non-security discretionary spending in an attempt to tame a $1.3 trillion deficit. This approach is especially shortsighted since the Federal Treasury loses twice as much revenue due to tax breaks than Congress appropriates on all non-security discretionary spending.

The chart to the right compares the 10 safety-net programs slated for deep cuts with the cost of the tax breaks that should also be considered for reduction or elimination to bring the budget into balance. The column on the left is a list of safety-net programs that have already been targets of the House leadership’s budget ax. The column on the right is the cost to specified tax breaks (see bottom of full article for sources).

This article and chart have been excerpted from Center for American Progress.

To view the full article, please visit http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2011/02/tax_breaks_infographic.html

By Donna Cooper,Center for American Progress, A nonprofit promoting “progressive ideas for a strong, just and free America”

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http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2011/02/tax_breaks_infographic.html







BULLY • from page 1

Some examples of bullying include:

• Unwarranted or invalid criticism.

• Blame without factual justification.

• Being treated differently than the rest of your work group.

• Being sworn at.

• Exclusion or social isolation.

• Being shouted at or being humiliated.

• Being the target of practical jokes.

• Excessive monitoring.

In 2007, the San Francisco City Council adopted the Healthy Workplace Resolution, which prohibits workplace bullying.

workplace

BULLYING

What to do if you think you are being bullied:

Share your experience

Talk to someone you trust, someone who will support you and provide a fresh perspective and sympathetic ear.

Make a record

Keep a diary of details and events. Include names of witnesses and any emails or relevant correspondence.

Seek advice and support

Contact someone who can help you. It may be your manager, another manager, a member of the human resources team, counseling service or a union representative.

Who to Call...PVFT Office831.722.2331

LAYOFFS • from page 1

• Teachers requesting transfers will then be given the opportunity to interview for open positions for which they qualify.

• Teachers with rehire rights will have the next priority by seniority date.

• All temporary teachers who want to maintain a position with PVUSD must submit a letter of intent to the district, with a copy to PVFT for verification.

• A list of laid-off unit members with 39-month rehire rights will be used to fill any remaining vacancies with all Permanents placed before Probationaries in order of seniority.

When a vacancy is offered to a teacher, the teacher will have 48 hours to accept it. If the 48 hours passes without an acceptance, the position will be offered to the next teacher in line. When the vacancies are posted, check your phone messages and your email so you don't miss your offer. Both HR and PVFT will be aware of offers as they are made and accepted.

Got

Education?

Think

Before

YouPink

Get a Grip, Don’t Pink Slip

Educated Lips

Protest Pink Slips

Teachers wore these stickers in protest of pink slips on March 15, 2011.

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Similar resolutions are being adopted across the country.

Bullying victims may suffer emotional devastation (anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder), compromised physical health (migraine, gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes), loss of social support and a negative economic impact.


JULY JANUARYM T W T F 4th of July - Holiday M T W T F 2nd New Years Day

1 CODE: State Testing Window 2 3 4 5 6 12/19-1/6 Winter Break4 5 6 7 8 Legal Holiday 9 10 11 12 13 9 & 10 SBC Days

11 12 13 14 15 Stu/Tchr Recess 16 17 18 19 20 11 Begin Qtr/Sem18 19 20 21 22 Teacher Work Day 23 24 25 26 27 16th Martin Luther King 25 26 27 28 29 Begin/End Qtr/Sem 30 31 Holiday

Trimesters 14 Student daysSBC Days

AUGUST Non School Day FEBRUARYM T W T F Furlough Day - no school M T W T F

1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 17th Lincoln's Day8 9 10 11 12 15 SBC Day 6 7 8 9 10 20th President's Holiday

15 16 17 18 19 16 Teacher Work Day 13 14 15 16 1722 23 24 25 26 17 Begin Qtr/Sem 20 21 22 23 2429 30 31 11 Student days 27 28 29 19 Student days

SEPTEMBER MARCH

M T W T F M T W T F 16th End Qtr/Sem 1 2 1 2 2nd Holiday

5 6 7 8 9 5th Labor Day 5 6 7 8 9 19th Holiday12 13 14 15 16 12 13 14 15 1619 20 21 22 23 19 20 21 22 2326 27 28 29 30 21 Student days 26 27 28 29 30 20 Student days

OCTOBER APRILM T W T F M T W T F

3 4 5 6 7 2 3 4 5 6 2-9 Spring Recess10 11 12 13 14 14 End Qtr/Sem 9 10 11 12 13 8th Easter17 18 19 20 21 17 Begin Qtr/Sem 16 17 18 19 20 4/11-5/9 State testing24 25 26 27 28 23 24 25 26 27 window31 21 Student days 30 15 Student days

NOVEMBER MAYM T W T F 11th Veteran's Day M T W T F

1 2 3 4 23-25 Stu/Tchr Recess 1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 24th Thanksgiving Day 7 8 9 10 11

14 15 16 17 18 14 15 16 17 18 28th Memorial Day21 22 23 24 25 21 22 23 24 25 27 28 28 30 19 Student days 28 29 30 31 22 Student days

DECEMBERM T W T F 12/19-1/6 Winter Break JUNE

1 2 16 End Qtr/Sem M T W T F 5 6 7 8 9 23rd Christmas Eve 1 1 End Sem/Qtr

12 13 14 15 16 26th Christmas Day 4 5 6 7 8 4-8 Furlough Days19 20 21 22 23 30th New Years Eve 11 12 13 14 15 1 Student day26 27 28 29 30 12 Student days 18 19 20 21 22

25 26 27 28 29175 Instructional Days

1st Semester - 84 student days 2nd Semester 91 student days 5 Furlough Days

REV 2-28-11

Pajaro Valley Unified School District2011 -2012

17

17

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Final Draft Calendar

Calendar can also be found at: http://pvft.net/images/keydocs/District_Docs/finaldraft_pvusd_calendar1112.pdf

Please submit your vote on this calendar to your Building Rep by Wednesday, April 20th!

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http://pvft.net/images/keydocs/District_Docs/finaldraft_pvusd_calendar1112.pdf

http://pvft.net/images/keydocs/District_Docs/finaldraft_pvusd_calendar1112.pdf

Date Event Location

April 22-29 Spring Break Enjoy!

Friday, April 29 Annual Labor Awards Dinner, Monterey Bay Central Labor Council

Hyatt Regency Hotel & Spa in Monterey

Monday, May 9 Site Rep. & General Membership Meeting District Office Board Room

Tuesday, May 10 All PVFT North Zone Meeting with Fiscal Update, Layoffs & Rehiring

TBD

Wednesday, May 11, Event: 4 to 6 p.m.

Day of the Teacher Celebration, Mexican American Educators, Pajaro Valley Chapter

Jalisco’s Restaurant

Wednesday, May 11 PVUSD School Board Meeting District Office Board Room

Thursday, May 19 All PVFT South Zone Meeting with Fiscal Update, Layoffs & Rehiring

TBD

Wednesday, May 25 PVUSD School Board Meeting District Office Board Room

Friday, May 27 PVFT End of the Year Celebration TBD

Friday, June 3 Last Day of School Hooray!

Mark your calendars...

ConnectPVFT Office90A Mariposa AvenueWatsonville, Calif. 95076

Phone: 831.722.2331Email: [email protected]: www.pvft.nettwitter.com/pvft

facebook.com/pvft

LinkedIn.com/company/pajaro-valley-federation-of-teachers

Freedom Blvd.PVFT OfficeDMV

Meet a Few of the PVFT Staff

FranciscoRodriguez

President

Jack Carroll

Chief Negotiator

Jenn Laskin

Grievance Officer

Nubia Padilla

Treasuer

Gabriana Marks

Office Manager

Abby

Office Greeter


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Pajaro Valley Federation of TeachersAFT-CFT AFL-CIO Local 1936P.O. Box 1222Watsonville, CA 95077Tel: 831-722-2331Web: www.pvft.net

PVFT Word Search Puzzle

PVFT Puzzle

S N N Q T B S O C T L Y M E S Y R O F S T A L R F G E A D T A E C I H K A R P A G L E U U D F C G N S A R G B J L R C D I O I N S U Y C A A H A D A E L R F R A C S I T D I V P T N O M O V Z V R Y R I N N M I T H O C O L L E C T I V E I O S M R A L L Y H I O S A I L N K D I S T R I C T R Z T F S A G F U T U R E A T V G S R G T C S T R O N G E O R G A N I Z E D S U V P P T R O P P U S K O Y L T C A R T N O C T F V P E E T A I T O G E N L O O H C S

ACTIVIST

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FAIR

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HOLIDAYS

NEGOTIATE

ORGANIZE

PAJARO

PVFT

PVUSD

RALLY

REFORM

RIGHTS

SCHOOL

STRIKE

STRONG

STUDENTS

SUPPORT

TEACHERS

UNION

VALLEY

Subscriber Login Passcode/New U

PVFT Puzzle

S N N Q T B S O C T L Y M E S Y R O F S T A L R F G E A D T A E C I H K A R P A G L E U U D F C G N S A R G B J L R C D I O I N S U Y C A A H A D A E L R F R A C S I T D I V P T N O M O V Z V R Y R I N N M I T H O C O L L E C T I V E I O S M R A L L Y H I O S A I L N K D I S T R I C T R Z T F S A G F U T U R E A T V G S R G T C S T R O N G E O R G A N I Z E D S U V P P T R O P P U S K O Y L T C A R T N O C T F V P E E T A I T O G E N L O O H C S

ACTIVIST

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STRIKE

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SUPPORT

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Subscriber Login Passcode/New U

Find the hidden words in the puzzle to the right. Look for the solution in the next newsletter!

Comic credit: “It’s a Teacher’s Life” Cartoons by David Sipress

300,000The number of workers (across

13,000 U.S. businesses) who walked off their jobs in the first May Day celebration on May 1, 1886. This was the beginning of

the massive demonstrations that led us to the 8-hour legal workday.

Organized Creativity • Writing/Editing • Event Management • Marketing • Journalism

Website: www.gabrianamarks.com

Newsletter designed by PVFT’s Office Manager:

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Documents

PVFT Newsletter, April 2011