The recent revelations of changes made to student grades and attendance records at the District of Columbia’s Ballou High School—changes intended to present a rosier picture than reality—represent not an isolated case but a systemwide problem, according to a Washington Teachers Union-EmpowerEd survey released yesterday and a statement from the Council of School Officers. “Pressures are put on us daily to change any grade below 50% to a 50% if a student ‘attempts,’” said one teacher. “An attempt can be just writing their name.” The WTU and EmpowerEd said the results demonstrate the need for systemic solutions to address systemic problems. “Dishonest data hides reality and tragically hurts students who need help,” said Washington Teachers Union president Elizabeth Davis (r). “We need an overhauled system that honestly reports student performance and uses the data constructively to provide the remedial help kids need to progress to the next grade, college and career.” The Council of School Officers (CSO) – whose members include DCPS principals and assistant principals – also traced the problems to the top, saying that “We refuse to allow our hard-working and dedicated members to be used as scapegoats for what appears to be a systemic problem that can be traced to the very top of DCPS leadership.” photo: WTU Local 6 President Elizabeth Davis at press conference yesterday; photo credit Megan Fitzgerald NOTE: Davis was a guest on yesterday’s edition of “Your Rights At Work” on WPFW 89.3FM; also appearing was UFCW 400’s Jonathan Williams, who reported on Local 400’s condemnation of prosecution of 2017 inauguration protesters, and support for free speech rights. While the government itself was ill-prepared for last Friday’s shutdown, Unite Here Local 23 was among the local unions that were ready. In preparation for what could have been a lengthy government shutdown -- and with the threat of another shutdown in early February -- Local 23 invited the Community Services Agency to train its staff on available resources and how best to prepare their members for being out of work. Staff was trained on the steps members should take to prepare, including: sticking to a budget, using health and prescription benefits, communicating with creditors, and taking advantage of Union Plus programs. Local 23 staff also learned about CSA’s Emergency Assistance Fund, which provides up to $300 for eligible union members to help meet basic needs during times of hardship. "We know that planning for times when we are out of work should be a part of our daily financial habit, but that’s not always easy,” said Assistant ED Sonte DuCote. “That's why the information, tips and resources that the CSA provides are so critical." For more information about shutdown prep and the Emergency Assistance Fund, contact Kathleen McKirchy at [email protected] or Sonte DuCote at [email protected]. photo: CSA Asst. ED Sonte DuCote with staff from Unite HERE 23; credit Kathleen McKirchy In Thailand, where most industrial factories are owned by multinational corporations, steep competition from emerging low-wage Asian countries like Vietnam drives factory owners’ relentless efforts to cut costs by targeting wages and working conditions. Meanwhile, the government’s stepped up efforts to privatize key sectors is resulting in layoffs and wage cuts. Unions representing manufacturing workers and public employees are meeting the challenges by joining forces in a tightly knit network to pool resources and strategies to best assist workers. “If you don’t have a union, you can’t negotiate with employers, you don’t have as good benefits or safety conditions," says Larey Youpensuk, president of the Thailand Auto Workers Union. Read more at the Solidarity Center. photo: Workers at the Ford Motor Company assembly plant in Rayong, Thailand, are members of the Thailand Automobile Workers Unions, a Solidarity Center partner. Credit: Solidarity Center/Julian Hadden Longtime AFSCME 1072 member and union stalwart Craig Newman (right) passed away earlier this week. As a student at the University of Maryland College Park in the 1970s he supported the early organizing efforts by housekeepers that would eventually form Local 1072. He went on to work in the campus Grounds Department and was elected Chief Shop Steward of the union. “Craig’s activism, tenacity, strategic thinking and political determination will surely be missed,” said Dawn Jackson, Local 1072 President. photo courtesy AFSCME 1072 |