The Next Step: UFT Paras for A Fair Contract launches campaign for A LIVING WAGE and FAIR CONTRACT; seeking paras to run on its election slate
A para chapter election update from UFT Paras For A Fair Contract -- repost from fixparapay.org
The following is an update from the newly launched UFT Paras For A Fair Contract website: http://fixparapay.org
UPDATE:
We want to thank you for supporting the Fix Para Pay petition. The calls for a living wage and fair contract for New York City paras have resonated and they are earth-shattering.
In less than a week, we have surpassed over 1700k signatures — and the totals are still growing strong! Over 65% who have signed on are NYC paras who are struggling to survive in the NYC area without a living wage. Almost every signature is a UFT member who stands with paras in this fight. The others are stakeholders in our public schools.
THE NEXT STEP: MAKE OUR VOICES MATTER IN THE 2024 PARA CHAPTER ELECTIONS
We need our leadership to hear our voices!
That is why UFT Paras for A Fair Contract will be running a slate of representatives for the citywide UFT Paraprofessional functional chapter election that will be held from May 9th to June 13th.
Our union proud and union strong community of paras and UFT members believes that it’s time to organize for a meaningful change by pressing the issues of a living wage and a fair contract at the collective bargaining table. With rising inflation, skyrocketing costs, and Mulgrew making us pay more for our healthcare plans, we are left no choice.
We are also are committing to further mobilize to ensure the para chapter and our school chapters are strong.
We are resolute in our mission: Fighting for respect and dignity for paras by achieving a living wage and a fair contract for NYC paras.
Lip service, empty promises, political grandstanding, symbolic gestures, luncheons, certificates, digital handbooks, more PDs and CTLE opportunities, will not do.
BE THE CHANGE: LET'S RUN TOGETHER ON THE UFT PARAS FOR A FAIR CONTRACT SLATE
Are you ready to take back our union? If you are a UFT para and want to run with us in this election, we want to connect with you. There are over 250 para delegate representative seats within the UFT para functional chapter that are open in this election. Learn more here: https://www.uft.org/your-union/chapter-elections-2024/chapter-election-faq
We intend to run as many qualified candidates who want to join us in solidarity to organize and bring about the change we sorely need in our beloved union.
We must become the change we all seek by filling those seats with rank and file, hard working members like you.
Our existing team of para leaders and UFT activists is experienced and ready to help. Please submit this form no later than April 2, 2024.
If you interested in joining this slate for meaningful change for paras, complete the form below to connect with us. If you are interested in joining this slate for meaningful change for paras, go to: http://joinslate.fixparapay.org
MORE ON THE PETITION’S PROPOSED RESOLUTION FOR A LIVING WAGE
Mulgrew’s Unity caucus, the entrenched, stagnant and establishment union leadership that has had sole control of our union for over 60 years, has rejected our calls for a comprehensive bargaining plan for a living wage and a fair para contract.
They failed to pass all of our proposed resolution, only acknowledging to educate members about pending legislation. They gutted the heart of it at the UFT executive board and delegate assembly by not including the provision to create a comprehensive and robust plan.
SO WHAT DO WE DO NEXT?
We organize, mobilize and educate members. And, we vote them out!
We relentlessly march forward as a member-driven labor movement, together.
As union proud and union strong community of paras and UFT members, we assert that it’s time to organize for a meaningful change by pressing the issue at the collective bargaining table. We also believe we must organize to ensure our para chapter and local school chapters are strong.
We will not stand for the status quo. We soundly reject: sub-inflation pay raises, the further erosion of our healthcare and pension benefits, our rights being trampled, and a tone deaf, current leadership stifling our individual and collective voices.
Let’s stand as ONE to join together to be heard even as those we entrusted at 52 Broadway, UFT headquarters, have become more and more disconnected from those of us working hard in the classroom and school communities.
Get involved, now.
We’re here for you!
Have a question or concern? Email us at info@fixparapay.org