Madison, WI: With Wisconsin at the center of a national debate over tenure, academic freedom, and funding for public higher education, members of the AFT-Wisconsin Higher Education Council announced a series of events to be held across the UW System in November examining the theme of “The Wisconsin Idea in Crisis.” “The Wisconsin Idea is a simple one,” said Richard Leson, a UW-Milwaukee associate professor of art history and the president of AFT local 3535, The Association of UW Professionals. “It’s the idea that the University of Wisconsin System should improve the lives of all Wisconsinites—through high quality education, research for the public good, and constant community outreach. As members of the AFT-Wisconsin Higher Education Council, my colleagues and I—academic and university staff, faculty, and graduate employees—are deeply troubled by efforts of radical politicians to weaken one of the preeminent public university systems in the world. That’s why we will be holding events on UW System campuses across the state—at Eau Claire, Stout, Madison, Green Bay, Stevens Point, and Milwaukee—to draw attention to the existential crisis that we in the UW System are confronting.”

Congrats to PTLs in Political Science who have won their grievance about scheduling current lecturers for upcoming semesters instead of hiring new lecturers from outside the bargaining unit. You can read the arbitrator's decision here: Political Science Arbitration Decision

On November 3rd, North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple was called out for administering bonuses to his staff to the tune of nearly $100,000.

Gov. Dalrymple has defended those bonuses, saying that it is important to retain quality employees for the state; amidst a teacher shortage where retaining quality teachers has become a difficult task, one can't help but wonder where our teachers and public employees stand in relation to the governor's own staff.
 

North Dakota is one of many states experiencing a teacher shortage and has been taking measures to get more teachers in the classroom, including creating a "community experts" rule for the Education Standards and Practices Board that would allow unlicensed individuals to teach in places where there are not enough teachers to fill critical positions. 

After months of obstruction, we've made real progress on a budget deal and for the first time I'm optimistic we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Join us for the next BCFPE General Membership Meeting:
Thurs., Dec. 3, 2015, 6:00-7:00p.m.
305 W. Chesapeake Ave, Ste L-30, Towson, MD

Learn about the FY2017 Negotiations, Healthcare update, and more.
Click through for more information:

Some resources about civil service. 

Article by our Attorney - "Civil Service System: Proposed Bills Change Hiring and Firing Processes" by Timothy Hawks and Michele Sumara. 

The History of Wisconsin Civil Service System - written by OSER to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Wisconsin's Civil Service System. 

Letter to Editor by Klein - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Letter to Editor by Klein - Wisconsin State Journal

Letter to Editor by Hynum - Capital Times.  A slightly edit version also ran in Wisconsin State Journal. 

After Superstorm Sandy devastated our state three years ago, AFT and AFTNJ worked to identify members who had been impacted and assist in recovery. We supported the efforts of local food banks and provided information and referrals to the organizations providing direct assistance to families impacted by the storm. 

On NOVEMBER 12, 2015 at 4:00 PM, we will be having an instructional meeting for all teachers who would like to be made current on the state of the law of child abuse, child neglect, and lack of supervision.   If you will be attending, please RSVP with Venetta Smith (973) 643-8430, Ext 10 or email vsmith@ntuaft.com.

For more info, click here: http://newark.nj.aft.org/events/dyfs-instructional-meeting