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Labor Union Solidarity

This moment in labor union solidarity is brought to us by Danny DeVito showing solidarity by amplifying Nabisco workers who are currently on strike across the country standing for fair wages, working conditions, and to keep jobs from being moved out of the country. This is a reminder of how connected we all are in our labor movements and a moment for each of us to reflect on how we might show solidarity to these important people.

Dear FPEA

WELCOME BACK!!! For those that were back before PRAD, like our wonderful counselors, admin interns, and others… thank you for leading the way! For the rest of us, welcome back to our important work - make it matter - you were made for this!

This is an informational update with resources on mandates as well as a connection to engage you with the 2021 Fall COVID MOU process.

FPEA Exec Board - Proud to be Union

From the Bargaining Table

We have prioritized the COVID MOU on the FPEA/FPS bargaining timeline. We do want to express that this will not be completed before the first day of work with students, and we apologize for any concerns that may cause. New mandates and recently updated guidelines & protocols impact this reality.

We met with the district on Friday 8.27.2021 and invited them into a conversation on the current COVID MOU topics without presenting any specific language. We are hopeful that this brought us closer in understanding on the importance of these negotiations and in our collaboration efforts to support the specific needs of the FPEA membership.

The following issues are also being bargained in the coming weeks: 504s, class coverage, and sub wages.

COVID MOU - Rank Choice Survey

Please help support the continuing COVID MOU process by using this link to prioritize your most important topics of interest at the start of the 2021-22 school year. There is also space to provide specific feedback on each topic or to suggest additional topics.

We will update anonymous feedback for you to see here.

Building reps are also here to connect with you. Please reach out with any ideas/questions/concerns and they will share your comments and get you connected with the right info and resources.
Contact a building rep or reach out to someone on the exec board.

FPEA Open Zoom

Kevin Marshall will open a Zoom meeting on Tuesday - August 31st - from 5:00 - 6:30pm. Please feel free to join at your convenience to share any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas. This is not an official general membership meeting, but a first attempt at an opportunity to connect with members in this way. A reminder email will go out to personal email on Tuesday.

Washington State Vaccine Mandate

Our Collective Bargaining Agreement is legally subject to The Washington State Governor’s Mandate requiring vaccines for school employees as a required capacity to perform our jobs. As public employees, we do not have a “property interest” in our employment. Meaning, we cannot claim the loss of any right as an employee due to the mandate. While we are still determining what this will look like at the local level, we know these few things:.

• applications for exemptions are not guaranteed and may not match requests

• it is not likely that people will be eligible for unemployment benefits

• there are still a lot of unknowns

• FPEA is in conversation with the district regarding privacy of employee vaccine information

This is a link to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instructions info and frequently asked questions released on 8.18.2021

This is an email from Franklin Pierce Schools Information Department sent on 8.18.2021.

Franklin Pierce Medical Exemption Form

Franklin Pierce Religious Exemption Form

Anti-Union Emails

You likely received an email this week from Freedom Foundation in an attempt to convince you to opt-out of your union. Remember, weekends matter, collective action works , and the McCleary decision we saw in our state is what happens when systems go unchecked. It took the collective action of our local and state unions to get justice for our students and school employees.

Proud to be Union! You are loved.

FPEA Website

This is a link to the FPEA website. It will continue to be updated, but it is functional enough to connect you with past newsletters, school board info, and other important information like REQUIRED Long Term Care Coverage and upcoming WEA trainings.

FPEA Contact

Kevin Marshall - kmarshall@washingtonea.org (union email)

Union Cell: 253.820.0201