AFT Local 871

Making Gains "at Every Step of the Salary Scale"

Mon, 01/31/2022 - 6:30pm
The recent pattern begun last year of affiliated local unions negotiating contracts with solid pay increases has over the past 90 days continued to be repeated. Our latest collective bargaining report features one such affiliate whose leadership overcame historic inequities to win a ground-breaking new agreement in negotiations with their employer. Members' personal progress will additionally benefit the community they serve as the provisions promise to stabilize the workforce for years to come.
 

Responding to Attacks on "Our Rights and Freedoms"

Thu, 06/28/2018 - 5:00pm
The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday issued its long-anticipated ruling in the Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 lawsuit — one that favors billionaires out to destroy America's labor movement. The 5-4 decision overturned a four decades-old precedent and has long been the goal of a shadowy network of deep-pocketed political operatives. Here in Connecticut, union members gathered in Hartford to denounce this judicial attack on their freedom to negotiate a fair return on their work.
 

Helping Fellow Members "Improve their Practice"

Fri, 05/25/2018 - 5:30pm
As a democratic labor organization, AFT Connecticut adheres to the principle of local unions governed "of members, by members and for members." These values are evident in our professional development (PD) program, which relies less on big name experts and more on trusted colleagues to teach valuable career advancement and labor leadership skills. It is in this cooperative atmosphere that members can share their passion and expertise with each other.
 

Achieving More "Fair and Equitable Evaluation Practices"

Wed, 04/12/2017 - 3:30pm
State school officials last week took a major step toward empowering teachers to be more effective in the classroom by eliminating the use of mastery examination scores in educator evaluations. The move will benefit students by prioritizing instructional emphasis on deep issue knowledge and analytical skills over test preparation. The April 5 vote by the State Board of Education's (SBOE) followed years of advocacy by a diverse coalition of stakeholders, including AFT Connecticut-affiliated union members.
 

Time to be "All In" for Better Choices at the Capitol

Wed, 02/08/2017 - 6:45pm
The governor in his annual state budget address today presented numerous proposals that will have significant implications for every one of our union members and their families. His plan to close shortfalls in the 2018-19 fiscal year won't just impact teachers and classroom aides, higher education faculty, nurses and caregivers, probation officers and revenue collectors. Students, patients and all who depend on our members will also feel the effects of funding changes and cuts for vital state and local public health, education, and safety services.
 
Click here for the governor's full speech to the General Assembly.
 

Building the Movement to Reclaim Our Schools

Wed, 08/10/2016 - 12:30pm
Nearly 3,000 delegates to our national union's convention last month heard advocates share their conviction in the value of building community-level coalitions to achieve true educational justice in America. It's an approach long-embraced by members of AFT Connecticut-affiliated unions — which will again be demonstrated in October during coordinated local actions to "reclaim our schools" across the state.
 
Click here for more on the October 6 "walk-ins."
 

Spotlight: PreK-12 School Teachers

Mon, 10/05/2015 - 3:30pm
Today is World Teachers' Day, a global initiative to show appreciation for hardworking educators and raise public awareness of the many challenges facing the profession. It's also an opportunity to spotlight a few of our many union members in Connecticut who epitomize the slogan of this year's effort: "empowering teachers, building sustainable societies."
 
Click here for press coverage of World Teachers' Day.
 

Comments on Creation of Task Force with Classroom Educators to Review Common Core

Tue, 03/11/2014 - 1:40pm
Melodie Peters, president of AFT Connecticut, made the following remarks on the executive order signed today by Governor Dannel P. Malloy creating the Educators' Common Core Implementation Taskforce to review and make recommendations on improving implementation of new teaching standards:
 
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