A Message From Sam Holtzman - WTU President

From the President's Desk

I feel that the School Committee has overreacted with regard to the potential deficit for the 2008-2009 school year. On Tuesday, March 25, 2008, the School Committee voted to close three of our neighborhood elementary schools Potowomut, Drum Rock, and Rhodes. I have been very vocal regarding the fact that the School Committee should have taken its time in redistricting the city first. The only member of the School Committee to pick up on this was Joyce Andrade. Unfortunately, the other members of the School Committee did not listen to me or the other teachers that participated in the Redistricting/Consolidation Committee.

I have also been quoted by both the Providence Journal and the Warwick Beacon describing the School Committee's method of cutting the budget as "Sledgehammer Economics". Their method jeopardizes the quality of education that for many years was the pride of our school system and of the City of Warwick.

Two weeks ago the Union held a press conference that focused on other ways of dealing with the budget cuts rather than closing schools or re-opening the contract on the issue of retro-active pay that is due to our members who worked during the 2005-2006 school year (top step teachers that year made $60,105). The Union received positive media coverage that week. Our Union needs to continue to take an active role during these budget times because any dollar savings can mean more dollars in our members' pockets. One way the School Committee could have dealt with the budget was to look into a teacher retirement incentive. This option could possibly increase the number of recalls of our laid-off members. We are not lying down regarding the issue of school closings. We also have Jamie Horwitz and Jewell Gould from the AFT.s Research Department working on our behalf.

At this time, it is important that we support our colleagues who are in schools that the School Committee has voted to close at the end of this school year. Even though this issue may not involve us directly, we all need each other. We need to remind ourselves that we are brothers and sisters of this union. We will keep our members informed as we receive important information.

Pension-Collective Bargaining Campaign Timeline

March 17 through April 4: Introductory phone call to Senator and Representative concerning pensions, healthcare and the right to bargain.

April 7 through April 11: Letter/e-mail writing to Senator and Representative

April 21 through May 9: Follow-up phone call to Senator and Representative

May 5 through May 23: Legislator meetings with members

May 15, 2008: Report deadline of Special House Commission To Study All Aspects of the State Pension and Retirement System

Wednesday, May 14, 21, 28: AFT Lobby Days at the State House

Join us at the Pension Study Commission hearings

The Pension Study Commission, created to study the pension system for teachers and state employees and the way it is funded and managed, is charged with identifying changes that can be made to the system to save Rhode Island money. According to the legislation which enabled the commission to be formed, all aspects of the state pension will be considered including funding, investments and management, eligibility, retirement age, benefits, contributions, vesting, disqualification and any other related matter. Every decision the commission makes affects you.

Hearings are held at the State House just after the House Session ends, around 4:30 or 5 PM in Room 313 on the 3rd floor. Upcoming hearings are scheduled for April 2, 9 and 30. Employee testimony will be heard at the April 9 hearing.

All of these hearings are televised live every Wednesday by Capitol Television on Channel 15 on both COX Cable of RI and Full Channel Cable.

We encourage you to come in person to these hearings, especially if you live in the district of one of the Commission members who are listed below.

Hearing Information
Wednesdays, April 2, April 9 and April 30
Usually starting around 4:30 or 5 PM
State House, Room 313, Third floor

Commission Members
Rep. Timothy Williamson, Dist. 25, Coventry, W. Warwick
Rep. Nicholas Mattiello, Dist. 15, Cranston
Rep. Gregory Schadone, Dist. 54, North Providence
Rep. Elaine Coderre, Dist. 60, Pawtucket
Rep. Steven Coaty, Dist. 75, Newport
Rep. John Loughlin, Dist. 71, Tiverton, Little Compton
Rep. Peter Lewiss, Dist. 37, Westerly