CHTU Updates | Cleveland Heights Teachers Union

CHTU Update - Local Election Results - November 10, 2017

Dear Colleagues:

Elections have consequences; and at times the consequences are positive.

Posted below are the results of the November 7^th elections along with our Local 795 pre-election day recommendations.

For the first time in decades we had four candidates for the CH-UH Board that are pro-teacher. All three who were elected are new to the Board, and we intend to establish and maintain a close relationship with them.

Many thanks to the CHTU members who worked on the campaigns to elect our two endorsed candidates by dropping literature, canvassing, and being a COPE contributor.

CH-UH

Legislative Update - Need you to make a phone call 11.9.17

From the new CHTU Legislative Lead Ben Ammon, music teacher at the high school.

Dear 795 Members,

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the Ryan/Trump tax plan. The AFT has contacted our local to urge our members to call their representatives immediately about this attack on the middle class and teachers. There are many provisions tucked into this bill such as the elimination of the teacher tax credit, the elimination of the SALT (state and local tax) deduction, tax shelters for wealthy families to save tax free money for private K-12 education, and the removal of college

CHTU Update - Calendar Committee 10.30.17

Dear Colleagues,

The Calendar Committee met this week and is submitting the 2018-19 and 2019-20 calendars to the Board for approval. There will be a 30 day window after it is first proposed for public comment and will be voted on in December. Here are the highlights as both school years are almost the same.

Students start two weeks before Labor Day as we did this year. Teachers start the Thursday before. 200 day employees start one week before students. Students starts: August 20, 2018 and August 19, 2019

Schools Holidays: Labor Day, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Wednesday through Friday of

CHTU Update - October 26, 2017 - Why attend Board meetings

Dear Colleagues,

This year we decided to have union members present during Board of Education meetings. Building stewards have signed up to recruit building members to attend 2 meetings this school year. Noble elementary had members at the October 3rd meeting and Canterbury attended the work session on October 17.

Interesting things happen at board meeting at times. Click on the link below that takes you to the moment at the October 17 board meeting where a board member asks Allison Byrd about using data to help determine who the weak teachers are. Her response is wonderful - stating that is

Election 2017

Dear Colleagues,

As early voting has started I am sharing my views on just four of the races for your consideration. I also suggest linking to the North Shore Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO to see endorsements for races around the county. (link)

State Issue 2 – VOTE “NO”

The Ohio Federation of Teachers now represents over 12,000 nurses from the Ohio Nurses Association. They, along with every possible medical group are recommending voting NO on Issue 2. It started as a complicated issue because of how it was initiated. It got more complicated when the big pharmacy companies started campaigning

CHTU Update October 12, 2017 - Reminder, 403b, and census info

Dear Colleagues,

-Reminder: TUSH on Friday, October 13 at New Heights Grill on Lee Road after school.

-If you are presenting for a district PD day you should be compensated at $23/hr for your preparation time, but will not be paid for the actual presentation since it is during the normal work day. If you need more than the 90 minutes prep that was given, then ask for more time. If it is not worth it then decline the offer.

-Retirement planners should not be prowling around the lounge or lunch room during the school day. In our contract we have the right to approve literature that goes in

CHTU Update - September 28, 2017 3rd pay and calendar

Dear Colleagues,

If you look at your pay stub tonight in the kiosk teachers should notice that it is higher than the last two pays. For those of us getting 26 pays, the board does not take out certain deductions when there is a third pay in a month. So, there is no medical deduction or union dues and perhaps some elective deductions. Monitors are not paid year round since they are hourly, so their pay should include regular deductions.

By now, all of the city tax issues should be resolved, but it is probably a good idea to look over your pay to see if it is correct. Payroll contacted

Vote No on Issue 2 - Rx Drugs

Dear Colleagues,

The Ohio Federation of Teachers had lengthy debate this past weekend concerning Issue 2 - the one about prescription drugs. It is extremely complicated, as is any comparison of Rx plans. We decided to recommend voting NO on Issue 2.

I have pasted the three main reasons from our AFT sister organization, the Ohio Nurses Association (since they probably know more about this stuff than we do). I have also included their list of other Ohio organizations that oppose Issue 2.

In Union,

Ari Klein

CHTU President

It would actually raise the cost of prescriptions.

The language states

Payroll Issues - September 15, 2017

Dear Colleagues,

Please check your pay stubs.

If you are teaching in a different city than last school year make sure that the correct city tax is being withheld. We know of a few Middle School members who do not have University Heights taxes being withheld. This is easier to fix early in the school year, but almost impossible to rectify in June.

It is always a good idea to check:

-personal day balances (3 days = 22.50 hours) should have been added and any hours over 5 days (37.50 hours) should have been transferred to sick leave.

-sick leave - again, divide by 7.5 hours if you want to see how

CHTU Update September 5, 2017 - Meeting and Pay

Dear Colleagues,

AFT National President Randi Weingarten will be in the district tomorrow,

Wednesday, Sept 6.

She will hold an all member meeting in the HS auditorium from 3:45-4:30. Come even if you will be a few minutes late. Probably best to park across Cedar in the city lot. She will speak as well as conduct a Q&A.

This is a big even for our local, so please try to attend (yes, even if you have curriculum night at 6:30).

Friday's pay - you may have noticed that the district did not get the city tax right for members who are working in a new city (yes - all MS and HS teachers). They have