Here's what you need to know this week:
It's no secret that public education in Florida is underfunded. Between lackluster budgets and the siphoning of public dollars due to charter schools, many public schools are unable to get the resources they desperately need to educate our children. Unfortunately, the burden is often passed on to our teachers.
According to a report that came out last year, 94% of teachers in the United States spend their own money on supplies for their classrooms. The average amount of money spent is just under $500, and many teachers report spending upwards of $1000. In a state where teachers are already underpaid and under-resourced, this is unacceptable.
While we work every year to try to bring home wins for public education, there is more that we can do right now to help our sisters and brothers. That's why at our next CLC meeting (details below) we'll be holding a school supply drive in support of our teachers. The supplies most often requested include spiral notebooks, bookbags, highlighters, and pens and pencils. Union made brands include Acco (Five Star, Mead), Roaring Spring (Modern Jen), Boise, and Pacon.
We hope that you'll come out to our CLC meeting on Tuesday, and we encourage everyone to bring school supplies for our teachers.
Here's what's coming up:
- On Tuesday (8/6) our monthly CLC meeting will be held at 7PM at IBEW 834 (6603 E Chelsea St, Tampa). This is our first meeting since the beginning of June, so we'd love to have you join us in the conversation about everything happening in the world of labor in our area.
- On Friday (8/9), our Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) chapter will be holding its annual Medicare/Social Security Birthday Event with Congressman Charlie Crist. Every year, FLARA celebrates the birthdays of Medicare and Social Security with various members of congress. Those members that defend these programs are thanked, and those who have an unfavorable voting record are educated and asked to do better. This event will take place at 10AM at the Sunshine Center (330 5th St N, St. Petersburg), and everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.
- Also on Friday (8/9), our Florida Future Labor Leaders chapter will be screening Salt of the Earth, a film based on a historical strike in which miners organized and fought bosses. This event is free and family friendly, and will take place at 7PM at Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association (3102 N Habana Ave, Tampa). RSVP HERE
Keep in Mind:
We're still looking for feedback on our union member survey, so be sure to fill it out and share it around if you haven't already. It won't take more than a few minutes, and it will provide us with valuable insight as to how we can best fight for you.
CLICK HERE to take the survey.
This survey is intended only for members of affiliated unions of the West Central Florida Labor Council.
That's all for this week! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more updates. If you would like to receive text message alerts from the Florida AFL-CIO (Msg & data rates may apply), text FLUNION to 235246!
In Solidarity,
West Central Florida Labor Council
If you have any comments, or would like something added to the newsletter, please let us know!