EMO - Pipeline

Pipeline Issues

Jay Anderson, President

September 7, 2011

September

E-Pipeline September 7, 2011

**Insurance Change Deadline Friday September 9, 2011 at 4:00 PM
Remember to get your medical insurance selection forms to HR by 4:00 PM on Friday Sept. 9 for the change in medical insurance going into effect on October 1, 2011.

Building Visits & Welcome Back
Welcome back to the 2011-12 school year! Veteran staff, I would ask that you please welcome the 85+ new teachers to District 279 as we begin the 2011-12 school year. EM-O Building Reps, Executive Board, Susan Brady and I had the opportunity to meet with the new staff on August 24th at the new teacher workshop.
I am available to visit your sites if you would like me to come out and discuss issues with members. BR’s can contact me to make arrangements to come out during lunch or before or after school.
Finally, I want to personally thank you for your exemplary work with the students of District 279.

Negotiations Update
Your negotiations team and the district have met all through the summer and have reached a Tentative Agreement on terms and conditions for the 2011-13 school years as of August 23, 2011. We will now begin the ratification process:

Executive Board: September 13, 2011 at EM-O
BR’s: September 15, 2011 at 4:30 at EM-O
Members Informational Meetings 3:15 and 4:30:

September 19 at OSH Forum Room
September 20 at MGSH Forum Room
September 21 at PCSH Auditorium
September 26 at EM-O

September 28, 2011 vote on tentative agreement at all sites
Tentatively School Board action on Tentative Agreement at October 4, 2011 regular meeting

Make Sure to Review Your Paycheck and Deductions
I encourage all of you to look at your 9-5-11 paycheck and make sure the amounts and deductions are correct. If there is a problem contact HR immediately so it can be dealt with in a professional and collaborative fashion.

Celebration of the Union October 13th
With direction from your Executive Board and the General Membership the “Celebration of the Union” will be held October 13th from 3:00-7:00PM at The Lookout in Maple Grove. Please join your colleagues for a great social time to start off the new school year. RSVP to Barb Warhol at barb.warhol@educationminnesota.org or 763-315-3416.

Training Opportunities
Member Rights Advocacy Training MRA I, II, is being offered through the Metropolitan Area Council (MAC).
The two modules of the Education Minnesota MEMBER RIGHTS ADVOCACY training will be offered to any member approved by their local union in 2010/11. The selected dates and times are as follows:

Weeknight Cohort Style (Must attend all three nights to complete the MRA 1 or 2 module.)
MRA 1                 October 27, 2011*                         5:30-7:30           Embassy Suites, St. Paul
                           December 6, 2011*                       5:30-7:30           Embassy Suites, St. Paul
                           January 19, 2012*                         5:30-7:30           Embassy Suites, St. Paul
MRA 2                 February 28, 2012*                        5:30-730            Embassy Suites, St. Paul
                           March 28, 2012*                           5:30-730            Embassy Suites, St. Paul
                           May 10, 2012*                              5:30-730            Embassy Suites, St. Paul

*Dinner will be provided from 5:30-6:00. Sessions run from 6:00-7:30.

MRA 1 is a prerequisite to MRA 2 and MRA 2 is a prerequisite for MRA 3 (Not offered by the Metro Area Council at this time.) Members who have participated in MRA 1 can pick up where they left off. Attendance at all three nights is required for completion of MRA 1 or MRA 2.

MRA 1 is a five hour session (including dinner) focusing on the fundamentals of advocacy, the need to value member concerns, conflict management, and it introduces what we call the Advocacy Model.

MRA 2 is a five hour session (including dinner) focusing on what it means to be a Member Rights Advocate, the options and procedures available for advocacy, the Advocacy Model, investigatory procedures and differentiating problem solving techniques which come up in grievances, legal procedures and organizing

The MRA modules are one of our best and most popular training opportunities. They are specifically designed for local union member rights advocates, building representatives and stewards. Local union leaders and negotiators have also benefitted from these trainings. The material is like basic training for union advocacy.
The Metro Area Council will offer these sessions so that members who have participated in some of these trainings can pick up where they left off. MRA I is a prerequisite to MRA II and MRA II is a prerequisite for MRA III.

Contact Education Minnesota field staff Susan Brady at susan.brady@edmn.org to register or for further information.

Facts from the Field – The Weingarten Right……
A reminder that the Weingarten Right gives an employee the right to have a union representative present when subject to questioning which could lead to discipline. This right only applies when the employee reasonably believes the investigation will result in disciplinary action. The right to representation cannot be requested in a situation where there is no reasonable basis for the employee to fear that any adverse impact may result from the meeting.
In situations where the administrator insists that the member attend a meeting without representation, to avoid being insubordinate the member should: 1.) attend the meeting 2.) State that he/she desires a union representative to be present and 3.) Remain silent and take notes.
Last year each member was sent a copy of the Weingarten Right on a blue card. If you have misplaced your card and would like a replacement, please email or call the EM-O office. New employees received their card in the informational materials shared in meetings last week.

Invite a Colleague to Attend
If you are a member who attends General Membership Meeting (GMM) please invite a colleague or two to join you at the meetings. It is always more fun when you go with someone you know and it is a great way for more members to become involved. I hope we can pack the house.

Upcoming Events
Sept. 13 Executive Board meeting on Tentative Agreement
Sept. 15 BR Meeting on Tentative Agreement
Sept. 20 E-6 Policy Meeting
Sept. 22 GMM & Adult Secondary Policies
Sept. 19, 20, 21, & 26 Membership Meetings on Tentative Agreement
Sept. 28 Vote on Tentative Agreement
Oct. 4 E-6 Policy Meeting
Oct. 13 Celebrate the Union

Jay Anderson Susan Brady
President Education Minnesota Field Staff

Jay Anderson Susan Brady

President Education Minnesota Field Staff

October

Jay Anderson Susan Brady

President Education Minnesota Field Staff

October

Jay Anderson Susan Brady

President Education Minnesota Field Staff

November

E-Pipeline November 7, 2011

Retirement Seminar at EM-O November 14, 2011 & December 8, 2011
If you want to know your retirement benefits available through our local contract, come and join Susan Brady (Field Staff) and Jay Anderson (President) as we present the information on Monday November 14 (4:45 session is full) or Wednesday December 8 at two sessions 3:15 or 4:45. Please RSVP Barb Warhol at 763-315-3416 or barb.warhol@edmn.org .

Foundation Grants from Education Minnesota
Through the Education Minnesota Foundation for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, classroom grants are again available for members to apply for. The grants range from $500 to $3000. Go to the Education Minnesota website www.educationminnesota.org under Events & Programs section for the application brochure, or call 1-800-652-9073 or 651-292-4804 for the information. Application deadline is December 9, 2011. If you have additional questions email Sara Ford at saraford@educationminnesota.org or call her at 1-800-652-9073 or 651-292-4834.

Insurance Rates
Earlier in October I had sent information for you to look at the rates you were being charged for the new health insurance premiums. If you are on the 24 pay plan those rate were not correct because I did not know that the district had you prepay your premiums last June for July and August of 2011. So here are the correct rates for those of you on the 24 pay plan:

Singles: $0.00 no premium E+1: High $173.45 Value $107.10 Family: High $276.76 Value $171.34

Sorry for any confusion this may have caused. I hope this clarifies the situation.

CEAP/CROSS Matching Donation

Education Minnesota - OSSEO

HOLIDAY FUND DRIVE

ALL STAFF

DISTRICT #279

Education Minnesota - OSSEO is conducting a drive to raise funds for the social service agencies of the NW suburbs (C.R.O.S.S. and C.E.A.P.). Education Minnesota - OSSEO will again match, dollar for dollar, up to $400 for each organization. If you would like to contribute, please make your check payable to C.R.O.S.S. or C.E.A.P. and send it to the Education Minnesota – OSSEO office through interschool mail by:
Friday, December 9th

Just recently a youth “no hassles” food shelf just for teens that are homeless in our area was opened. It’s a collaboration between CEAP, Point Northwest for Homeless youth, and Brooklyn United Methodist Church. The food shelf is open once per week and has had over 50 kids per week coming for food. That’s twice as many as planned for. CEAP is the food agent—in other words, when people donate food or money to CEAP and specify that it is for the youth food shelf, they pass it on to our kids in District 279. As word continues to get out, we expect the need to grow and grow. Members could earmark donations to the food shelf via CEAP and they would go directly to students in our district

Your generosity will be appreciated!
“AN ACTION AS PART OF OUR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY.”
Coordinated by Education Minnesota – OSSEO
10200 73rd Ave. N., Suite 126, Maple Grove, MN 55369 – (763) 315-3416.

Upcoming Events
Nov. 8 Election Day Please Vote for Education Supportive Candidates
Nov. 8 Executive Board
Nov. 15 E-6 Meeting
Nov. 17 GMM
Nov. 22 Executive Board
Nov. 24-25 Thanksgiving Break

Jay Anderson Susan Brady
President Education Minnesota Field Staff

December

E-Pipeline December 2, 2011

Delegates to State Representative Convention
Please consider being a delegate to the state representative convention on April 26 & 27, 2012. EM-O can send up to 20 delegates and we can also send 7 alternates. Dinner with your colleagues on Friday night and accommodations at the Doubletree by Hilton can be part of the experience. Contact Linda Schugg if interested in attending; 763-315-3416 or linda.schugg@edmn.org

Contract for 2011-13 Posted on our website
I am posting the 2011-13 contract on our website http://www.edmnosseo.com for your use in planning. The district has not yet implemented the ratified agreement. This document is technically a draft of the agreement until signed by the school board chair, clerk, labor relations director, negotiations chair, and president. I continue to work on the implementation of the agreement, but many excuses continue to come from HR and Payroll as to why they have been unable to implement the new agreement over the last 2 months. As soon as I can get District Administration to commit to a date for implementation I will send it out through the BR’s.

Retirement Seminar at EM-O December 8, 2011
If you want to know your retirement benefits available through your local contract, come and join Susan Brady (Field Staff) and Jay Anderson (President) as we present the information on Thursday December 8 at two sessions 3:15 or 4:45. Please RSVP Barb Warhol at 763-315-3416 or barb.warhol@edmn.org .

CEAP/CROSS Donations
Area social agencies are seeing increased demand this year for their services. To this end, EM-O is offering a match program for donations to either CEAP or CROSS. EM-O will match up to $400 in donations to both agencies to help in this time of need. Please consider a donation. Send your checks to Linda Schugg at EM-O. Thanks in advance from all of those in need this holiday season.

2011 Dues Information
These amounts are based on working Jan. – June 2011 and Aug. – Dec. 2011.

EM-O Member      Fair Share
Full-Time 31-40              $736.00 $600.58
¾ Time 21-30                $552.00 $450.38
Half Time 11-20             $368.00 $300.29
Hourly 1-10                   $184.00 $150.15

Nurses Call office Dues amounts vary according to earnings.
Kidstop Instructors Call office Dues amounts vary according to earnings.

Please call the EM-O office for dues paid if you worked a partial year the last school year January – May or this year September – December or if your FTE status changed mid-year. Phone: 763-315-3416 Ask for Linda or Barb.

You can also access this information using “MyView”. This amount will be listed on the 12/20/10 payroll.

MRA Advocacy Training at EM-O
We will be offering Member Rights Advocacy Training for BR’s at the EM-O offices in 2011-12, taught by our own Field Staff Susan Brady.
MRA II January 11 from 8:00 AM to 3:00PM
MRA III February 28 from 8:00 AM to 3:00PM
Subs will be provided for you by EM-O. Request Union Leave in AESOP.
If interested in any of the trainings RSVP Barb Warhol at EM-O barb.warhol@edmn.org or 763-315-3416.

TRA Extended Leave of Absence
We have agreed to implement the TRA Extended Leave of absence again for this school year. The deadline to apply is Feb. 24, 2012. The application form is available from the district HR Department or I have it available if you contact me at EM-O electronically jay.anderson@edmn.org

Education Minnesota Classroom Grant Program
Through the Education Minnesota Foundation for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, classroom grants are again available for members to apply for. The grants range from $500 to $3000. Go to the Education Minnesota website www.educationminnesota.org under Events & Programs section for the application brochure, or call 1-800-652-9073 or 651-292-4804 for the information. Application deadline is December 9, 2011. If you have additional questions email Sara Ford at saraford@edmn.org or call her at 1-800-652-9073 or 651-292-4834.

Upcoming Events
Dec. 6 Exec. Brd.
Dec. 15 GMM
Dec. 22 Last day of School before Winter Break

January

Jay Anderson, President Susan Brady, Education Minnesota Field Staff

February

February 3, 2012

GMM Meeting In March not April
Because the state Representative Convention has been moved from March to April this year, we will have a GMM in March and only if needed in April. So keep March 15 on your Calendar for the GMM, and April 19 GMM only if needed.

Budget Committee Members
I am making a call for members to serve on the budget committee. I would like 6 members to serve for a 1 day meeting to review our current budget and recommend a budget and dues amount for next year. We would meet at EM-O on April 25, 2012 from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM with lunch provided. If interested contact Barb Warhol at 763.315.3416 or barb.warhol@edmn.org

Election Committee Members
I am making a call for members to serve on the election committee. Duties of the election committee are to seek qualified candidates for the officers of the local and to count and verify the election results. Verification will take place after candidates have submitted their intent to seek office. EM-O office staff will assist in this task. Counting of ballots and certifications of results will occur after the election on April 10, 2012. If interested contact Barb Warhol at 763.315.3416 or barb.warhol@edmn.org

Executive Board Elections
Elections for all positions on the Executive Board will occur on April 10, 2012. If you are interested and qualified to run for one of these positions I would encourage you to submit your name as a candidate. Application forms can be obtained from Linda Schugg at linda.schugg@edmn.org Please apply by Mar. 2, 2012.
I am hoping we have a number of members apply for the positions on the board. So please consider becoming a leader in your local by running for office.

Qualifications
For the offices of President or Executive Vice President you must have attended at least eight (8) General Membership Meetings in the preceding two (2) years and participated in at least three (3) of the following activities. For all other officer positions you must have attended at least seven (7) General Membership Meetings in the preceding two years and participated in at least two (2) of the following activities. Any vacancy existing after the election filing deadline shall be filled by nomination(s) brought forward to the Executive Board by the Elections Committee.

a. Education Minnesota – OSSEO committee, task force, or board.
b. Education Minnesota – OSSEO building representative.
c. Education Minnesota Member Rights Training
d. Education Minnesota Negotiations Training
e. Education Minnesota Teachers as Learners & Leaders (TALL)
f. Education Minnesota Summer Seminar
g. Delegate to an Education Minnesota Representative Convention
h. Delegate to an American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Convention
i. Delegate to the National Education Association (NEA) Representative Assembly
j. Delegate to an American Federation of Teachers (AFT) TEACH Conference.

Post Employment Health Care Account (PEHCA)
We will be holding informational meetings on the newly negotiated PEHCA option available to members hired prior to July 1, 2007. Meetings will be at the EM-O offices on Tuesday February 14, 2012 at 8:00 AM & Wednesday February 15, 2012 at 3:30 & 4:30 PM. If you are thinking of pursuing this option and need further information plan on attending one of these sessions. Please RSVP to linda.schugg@edmn.org if planning on attending.

Check on your Seniority
Before staffing begins in March it is a good idea to go online and check your seniority to make sure it is correct. If you have a question about it, this will give you time to contact HR and get it resolved before staffing begins. Seniority lists are available electronically at MY279 under the HR tab.

2011 Dues Information
You can access this information using “My View”. This amount will be listed on the 12/20/11 payroll.

Right to Work Information
We have been holding Right to Work 10 minute meetings at your sites over the last month to inform you of the possible Constitutional Amendment being considered here in Minnesota. This article linked below gives you an idea of what it would be like to work in a so called Right to Work state like Wisconsin is now. Please be informed and politically active in regards to this issue if it should come up this session. Not only is this amendment devastating to teachers, but all workers not just union employees, as it reduces average wages for all workers.
http://www.teacher-world.com/teacher-blog/?p=1930

Flora Rogge Memorial Scholarship
The Education Minnesota - OSSEO Flora Rogge Memorial Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the availability of two $1,000 scholarships to be used for college or vocational education in Minnesota or states with reciprocity. Flora was an Osseo teacher, OFT President, and President of the Minnesota Federation of Teachers.

The applicant must be a graduating senior of Maple Grove Senior High, Osseo Senior High, Park Center Senior High, Osseo Alternative Learning Center or a graduating dependent of a District 279 employee.

The applicant planning on attending a college or vocational school must have maintained a 3.0 grade point average, a "B", or better during grades 10, 11, and 12.

Applications are available in the Career Resource Center at Maple Grove Senior High, the Career Resource Center at Osseo Senior High, the Career Learning Center at Park Center Senior High, Osseo Alternative Learning Center and the office of Education Minnesota – OSSEO.

Applications must be received by the Scholarship Committee, Education Minnesota - OSSEO, 10200 73rd Ave. N., #126, Maple Grove, MN 55369, by March 25, 2011.

Flora Rogge Memorial Scholarship Readers
If you would like to be a reader for these scholarship applications contact Linda Schugg at: linda.schugg@edmn.org . We really need 3 volunteers. Please consider contributing to this worthy cause for our students.

AFT TEACH Conference
From July 11th to July 13th I was given the opportunity to attend the 2011 AFT Teach conference in Washington DC. I was very excited to attend the conference and to also be in Washington DC. I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect, but figured it would all go smoothly.
Upon landing at Reagan International airport in DC, I was introduced to the metro line (subway) by a very helpful retired Gentleman. I turned out to LOVE using the Public Metro. It made navigating the city very easy and affordable. After settling into my room, I went down to get the agenda for the conference and get something to eat. I met with Shawn Johnson from OSH and Jay Anderson and retired for the night.
The next morning I attended the kickoff. It was in the same ballroom at George Bush’s inaugural ball – how cool! Many great speeches and performances were given during the kickoff and really set the mood for the conference – teachers extending and sharing their craft for the success of students. It was amazing being in attendance with so many colleagues and helped to reenergize me and my love of teaching. The sessions were outstanding with a wide variety of relevant educational topics covered. As a bonus, the night before the conference released we viewed a pre-screening of “American Teacher”. It gives the true account and story of the American Teacher vs. the politically charged “Waiting for Superman”. I highly recommend seeing it.
Upon concluding the conference, one of the most rewarding things that came out of it for me was meeting and sharing stories with educators from around the country. It was absolutely fascinating to hear the struggles and victories from every corner of the nation and realize that ours from this district are shared nationwide. Regardless of the diversity, demographics or the size of the district, the stories made one thing abundantly clear about teachers. They all truly want to be treated as professionals and see their students succeed and excel!
I’d like to thank the membership of EMO for giving me the opportunity to partake in this conference! It was a great experience I won’t forget. David Soderholm OALC

Upcoming Events
Feb. 7 Executive Board Meeting
Feb. 14 E-6 meeting
Feb. 16 GMM meeting
Feb. 21 Executive Board Meeting

Jay Anderson Susan Brady

President Education Minnesota Field Staff

April

E-Pipeline
April

Jay Anderson Susan Brady

President Education Minnesota Field Staff

May

E-Pipeline
May

Jay Anderson Susan Brady
President Education Minnesota Field Staff

Jay Anderson Susan Brady

President Education Minnesota Field Staff

June

Jay Anderson Susan Brady

President Education Minnesota Field Staff