Fairfax Education Association

📢EVENT REMINDER📢

WE ARE RALLYING IN SUPPORT OF #COLLECTIVEBARGAINING THIS THURS. AT THE #FCPS SCHOOL BOARD MEETING WITH OUR FRIENDS, Fairfax County Federation of Teachers

Come out and show solidarity with Public School employees! Open to all in the FCPS community!

RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/vea/event/449095/

Dear FEA and FCFT members and FCPS staff,

Both FEA and FCFT have long been champions of winning collective bargaining rights for FCPS staff. From the start, our two unions have set ourselves apart as the only employee associations in FCPS who have consistently and vocally pushed to secure this right for our members. Our advocacy has been a years-long process that has included endorsing political candidates who support strong labor rights, standing with the School Board in 2020 when they removed anti-collective bargaining language from their state and legislative program, lobbying the General Assembly to remove the ban on public sector collective bargaining, advocating against new legislation this year that would limit these rights, and now participating in discussions between FCPS leadership and employee associations to draft resolution language that will allow collective bargaining for FCPS staff. Once the draft of the resolution is complete, the School Board will vote to adopt it and that will allow for a union to call for an election. In the election, every employee will be able to vote for one bargaining agent to represent them in contract negotiations with FCPS.

FEA and FCFT have been collaborating throughout the process of drafting the collective bargaining resolution. We share the goal of winning a resolution that gives the broadest rights to our members. As we approach finalizing the resolution, both FEA and FCFT leadership have decided that the best way to ensure that FCPS staff can win a union election and secure the right to bargain is to come together as one bargaining agent. The right to bargain is too important to risk losing by competing over votes. We believe that coming together as one bargaining agent puts us in the strongest position to call for an election and win so that we can begin negotiating contracts that will benefit all FCPS staff.

On March 28th, FEA’s Board of Directors and FCFT’s Executive Board passed a resolution formally supporting creating a joint bargaining agent for the purpose of representing licensed instructional staff, support staff, and transportation staff in contract negotiations with FCPS. Last night, the FEA Representative Assembly and FCFT’s Organizing Committee unanimously agreed to support this joint work. At this point, FEA and FCFT remain independent unions and will only be coming together as one organization for the purpose of winning collective bargaining and eventually negotiating on behalf of FCPS staff. Members will continue to belong only to the union that they joined and member benefits and services will remain the same.

There will be many opportunities over the coming months for FCPS staff to come together to ensure that we secure a resolution. We are calling on all our members to stand with us at a joint rally before the School Board meeting on April 28th to show that employees want a resolution before this school year is over. We also ask that you sign our joint letter and share it with your colleagues. Be on the lookout for more opportunities soon to learn more about collective bargaining and show your support. We are stronger together.

Sincerely,

The FEA Board of Directors and FCFT Executive Board

Letter to fellow FCPS Colleagues

📣COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ACTION UPDATE! 📣

Thanks to the incredible support of our awesome #FCPS employee family, we've received over 400 signatures on our Dear Colleague Letter in just over a week! 😮👏

Standing in solidarity and letting the School Board know that we need #CollectiveBargaining in Fairfax sends the powerful message that we will continue advocating for better work conditions and relief for all staff. Make sure to sign the letter if you haven't already, and share with your colleagues at your worksite!

https://bit.ly/3IPicpr

Letter to fellow FCPS Colleagues Dear Colleagues, This school year has affirmed that having a stronger say in our working conditions is critical to decreasing the stress FCP staff are currently experiencing and have experienced for a long time. Even before COVID-19 exposed the fragility of our system, FCPS employees experienced det...

FEA is stronger because of members like Ær Queen, Music Teacher from Braddock ES. Ær Queen's leadership has been a huge motivating factor in our quest towards #CollectiveBargaining in #FCPS and they understand that only through strong contract negotiations can we ensure better work environments for all staff. Please join us in celebrating this awesome educator!

Make sure to sign on to our #DearColleagues letter to let the FCPS Board know that you support bargaining: https://bit.ly/3IPicpr

#Red4Ed #FEAMemberOfTheWeek #VEAStrong

FEA Building Rep. from Lake Braddock SS, Irv Katz is ready for a new & brighter chapter in #FCPS with #CollectiveBargaining.

Join Irv & sign on to our letter of solidarity to help grow educators’ voice in demanding a seat at the table where decisions are made: https://bit.ly/3IPicpr

It is time to BUILD on our networks at work so that #FCPS worksites are hubs of empowered staff, knowledgeable about what we can achieve through #CollectiveBargaining, and united in a plan to win those things. ✊

Learn more: https://www.fairfaxea.org/issues

Longtime member Mary Anderson is all in for her union! We’re thankful for SPED Instructional Assistants like Mary who bring a crucial perspective to our work and a strong voice to the Special Education Committee. Join us in celebrating our #FEAMemberOfTheWeek from Woodburn ES!

#Red4Ed #Organizing2Bargain #FCPS #CollectiveBargaining

Instructional Assistant, Sharmi Chowdury from Colin Powell ES is an advocate for better working provisions across #FCPS. She knows that with #CollectiveBargaining, many of the needs that her colleagues face on the job will finally be addressed through a legally binding contract!

#FEAMemberOfTheWeek #OrganizingToBargain #VEAStrong #RedForEd

Stand and Deliver Virginia Rally for Educators

Today, FEA members will gather in Falls Church along with our community supporters as we continue to stand against those who believe in stopping the truth from being taught in our schools and who want control over the books we read to somehow shield our students from reality. Join us to show that you are committed to the inclusive and respectful education of our children. Raise your voice and stand up for our schools! Register to attend.

Stand and Deliver Virginia Rally for Educators Stand and Deliver VA Rally- "When did teachers become the threat?"

Stand and Deliver Virginia Rally for Educators

On Sunday, March 13 at 3pm, FEA members are asked to gather in Falls Church along with our community supporters as we continue to stand against those who believe in stopping the truth from being taught in our schools and who want control over the books we read to somehow shield our students from reality. This narrative is being driven in communities across the country and as educators we know this is simply not the best practice for critical thinking and raising strong citizens. To show that we are committed to the inclusive and respectful education of our children, raise your voice and stand up for our schools. Learn more about the Stand and Deliver rally and register to attend.

Stand and Deliver Virginia Rally for Educators Stand and Deliver VA Rally- "When did teachers become the threat?"

Laura Leftwich from Clermont ES knows that #FCPS employees hold the keys to change through collective action. Join us in celebrating this awesome Music Teacher as our #FEAMemberOfTheWeek!

#CollectiveBargaining #Red4Ed #VEAStrong #UnionYes #Organizing2Bargain

Lake Braddock Secondary staff are on-board for a better #FCPS for all with #ContractNegotiations. English Teacher, Justin Toney is one of our rockstar members advocating for his colleagues! 🙌

#CollectiveBargaining #Organizing2Bargain #Red4Ed #FEAMemberOfTheWeek

Thank you to everyone in our community who came out this evening to support our school board and our school employees! ❤

Cheria Jackson, Alternative School Teacher at Westfield HS believes that #FCPS employees need to look out for themselves and each other to ensure positive working environments for all. Her insight and leadership are fundamental to our #CollectiveBargaining organizing in Fairfax!

#FEAMemberOfTheWeek #Organizing2Bargain #VEAStrong

Breaking News! The Fairfax County Executive, Bryan Hill has recommended fully funding the Superintendent's proposed budget! The School Board and Board of Supervisors can amend their respective proposed budgets. There is still much to follow in the budget process between now and May, so stay tuned. #UnionStrong #FCPS

Three ways to help rebuild classroom libraries after Fox Elementary School's catastrophic fire: tinyurl.com/booksforfox
We continue to hold the Fox Elementary community in our hearts! ❤🦊

Library Media Specialists like Casey Crowe from Weyanoke ES play a critical role in #FCPS scholars' literary development, K-12. Casey brings a unique perspective to the #CollectiveBargaining table & also serves as Chair of our Government Relations Council!

#Organizing2Bargain #Red4Ed #RedForEd #VEAStrong

Hope you all have a beautiful day, #FCPS family! 💞

#UnionStrong #VEAStrong

Our Hearts go out to the entire William Fox Elementary community.

As a Virginia bill to make masks optional in schools gets closer to the governor's desk, teachers are sounding the alarm

Proud of the work of our union today in Richmond. There were so many parents in support as well. More action to come. Stay tuned! #UnionStrong #Red4Ed

As a Virginia bill to make masks optional in schools gets closer to the governor's desk, teachers are sounding the alarm Educators from across the Commonwealth testified Friday against the bill.

TODAY: Please call these Senators below and tell them to Vote NO on SB739 that allows parent choice in un-masking students at school. Tell them to hold the line on our legislative priorities and not yield to pressures that erode our ability to safely run our county schools. Our school staff cannot be put in harm's way and expected to continue to support students while risking their health. Our students with compromised immune systems deserve to be able to stay in school and be protected. Call and tell these Senators to keep our schools safe places to learn and not bend to pressure from those who seek to dismantle public education.

Here are the key senators in Fairfax who voted SB739 to the floor. There are others around the state. Find and call yours.

Chap Petersen (804) 698-7534
Scott Surovell (804) 698-7536
Janet Howell (804) 698-7532
Dick Saslaw (804) 698-7535

Substitute Job Fair | Fairfax County Public Schools

Become a Substitute in FCPS!
Attend the Substitute Teaching Job Fair on February 17.
https://www.fcps.edu/news/substitute-job-fair

Substitute Job Fair | Fairfax County Public Schools Substitute Job Fair What's Happening February 01, 2022 Share Page Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is currently hiring daily and long-term opportunities for substitute teachers and substitute instructional assistants! Join us for our Substitute Teaching Job Fair on Thursday, February 17, from 9-...

FEA Keeps Safety at the Forefront

Check your FCPS mailbox for a special delivery from FEA!*
The FEA Board of Directors has continued to prioritize safety throughout the pandemic. We have sent three KN95 masks to each of our members.

*If you work in transportation, your masks are being sent to your home address on file with FEA.

FEA Keeps Safety at the Forefront The Fairfax Education Association is providing KN95 masks to our members to help increase their safety at work.