UFT Paras for A Fair Contract - Resolution for A Living Wage and Fair Contract

I posted about the para chapter election earlier where an alt slate to Unity called UFT Paras for A Fair Contract is being formed.

Unity Changes Rules for Para Election without the consent of the para chapter, EXBD AND DA

Here is a reso for the March 18 UFT Exec Bd and the March 20 DA - which Unity will try to make sure does not see the light of day. I will update it with outcomes of the Ex Bd later.

It’s time we fight for our paras in a meaningful and sustained effort. Both co-writers along with several others will be forming a slate for the upcoming para chapter election called ‘UFT Paras for A Fair Contract’.

Their program leads with a living wage for NYC paras, along with major improvements to their pay structures and contractual benefits and protections.

We believe this reso is timely and it also is something the AFT has endorsed with recent proposed legislation.

In addition, to bringing it to the EXBD, we will bring it to the floor of the DA.

You can find it here also:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wJc3nEjaveLKzfTvNDhEtEtR5lZsNDQfT6ihE8LKrAU/edit

 

Resolution to Meaningfully Support New York City Paraprofessionals’ Fight for a Living Wage and Fair Contract

co-written by: 

Migda Rodriguez, Second Vice-Chair of UFT Paraprofessional Chapter and para; Marie Wausnock, para; and Daniel Alicea, special education teacher 

Whereas, UFT paraprofessionals/para-educators play an essential and invaluable role in our school communities by providing accessible, quality educational and support services to all of our schoolchildren;

Whereas, New York City public schools are experiencing hundreds of para vacancies that may result in thousands of New York City school children not receiving federally mandated IEP services due to shortages of full-time, qualified paras; and

Whereas, our New York City public school paras are struggling to earn a living wage in our city and often have to work multiple jobs to survive; and

Whereas, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and National Education Association (NEA), alongside dozens of other labor and education organizations have endorsed the November 2023 Senate resolution called  The Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights, which calls for fairer pay, better benefits, workplace safety, job security, and increased access to training that will give these jobs and the educators who do them the respect they deserve; and

Whereas, the AFT and NEA have also endorsed the January of 2024 Senate and House of Representatives legislation called the Preparing and Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act, that would establish a grant program to help schools recruit, train, and retain paraeducators by funding pipeline and credentialing programs, high-quality professional development, and higher wages; therefore be it

Resolved; that the UFT shall support and educate its members about the significant implications of The Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights and the Preparing and Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act, emphasizing the potential benefits for paraprofessionals; and be it further

Resolved; that the UFT develop a comprehensive bargaining plan, with a clear timeline and objectives, for achieving a living wage for paraprofessionals, including equitable longevity raises, injury paid leave parity, and chapter 683 and ESY pay parity, ensuring they are compensated fairly for their crucial role in education.

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Signed by: Ronnie Almonte; Nick Bacon; Edward Calamia; Alex Jallot; Ibeth Mejia; Luli Rodriguez; Ilona Nanay; Michael Schirtzer

Other supporters - Michael Shulman, Bobby Greenberg, Norm Scott, Education Notes.