Volume 4, Issue 6
February, 2011
SCOPE FOR PARAS, CUSTODIAL, PLANT OPS., BUS DRIVERS AND OTHER EDU. EMPLOYEES
LOBBY DAY MARCH 14, 2011—GET ON THE BUS!
Legislative Session
This legislative session will be the toughest we have faced since 2003. The budget crisis is being used as an all-purpose excuse to:
· Make deep destructive cuts in school funding
· Eliminate education quality safeguards like class-size limits
· Use standardized test scores to blame and fire “bad teachers” and shut down public schools
· Skim highly motivated students into charter schools
Legislative Agenda
· Avoid Layoffs and Cuts
· Fix the Structural Shortfall
· Full Funding, Equitably Distributed
· A Positive Vision of Accountability
· School Discipline, Safety, and Health
· Quality Education for All
Respect for Support Staff
A Voice in Local Policy-Making
· Maintain the ability of school boards to develop policy in consultation with employees’ democratically elected representative organization.
· Let school boards bargain with such an elected organization on local contracts–as police, firefighters, and other public employees in Texas already can.
Due Process and Employee Rights
· Maintain basic due process and other employee rights in state law and assure such rights for all education employees, pre-K/16.
· Train administrators to respect employee rights and penalize noncompliance.
A Living Wage
· Pay a living wage to all education employees.
Better Pensions and Health Care
· Raise the state pension contribution for TRS, with the aim of enabling all school employees to retire under the Rule of 80 at 70 percent of their active salary with an annual cost-of-living adjustment.
· Provide a catch-up cost-of-living increase for TRS retirees.
· Secure the repeal of unfair federal Social Security benefit cuts that victimize school employees.
· Let education employees and retirees directly elect a majority on the TRS board.
· Boost state health-care funding for all education employees and retirees, aiming toward fully paid coverage for every employee and 50 percent for their families—health coverage as good as the governor’s!
LOBBY DAY
March 14, 2011 is the date for our Lobby Day. Please contact us at 956-682-1143 to reserve your seat on the bus.
We are asking for a $10.00 deposit to reserve your seat. Meals and a t-shirt will be provided.
Mexican Chicken Soup
Ingredients
· 1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
· 2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
· 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
· 1/2 cup chopped onions
· 1/2 cup chopped celery
· 2 teaspoons ground cumin
· 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
· 1 cup water
· 3 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth
· 1 cup diced tomatoes
· 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
· 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
· 1 cup crushed tortilla chips
· 1 avocado - peeled, pitted and diced
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lay chicken breasts onto a baking sheet and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, cool and shred or cut into strips.
2. While the chicken is cooking, heat oil in a stockpot and cook the onions and celery until soft. Stir in the water and chicken broth. Season with cumin, black pepper and remaining taco seasoning mix. Simmer for 30 minutes for the flavors to mingle. Add the tomatoes, cilantro and chicken, simmer for 5 more minutes. Serve hot topped with avocado, shredded cheese and crushed tortilla chips.
Benefits
If you have questions about any benefits please contact Barbara Lightheart, Texas AFT Benefits Director, 1-800-222-3827 or belightheart@texasaft.org.
Discounted Mortgage Service
AFT+ and Chase Bank have teamed up to offer a variety of mortgage services at discounted rates.
AFT+ and Chase Bank have teamed up to offer a variety of mortgage services at discounted rates.
Call your local Chase Bank and ask about the AFT/Union Plus program http://tx.aft.org
PCI—CLINIC
For employees and dependents on the McAllen ISD Health plan
Located: 500 S. Bicentennial Blvd., McAllen, TX 78501
Phone: 956-971-0077
Making a Difference
We would love to hear from you if you have a story of someone making a difference at your school. Please email (mcallenaft2@yahoo.com) or call us at 682-1143 with your story for our next Scope newsletter.