2018 Election UNITER

Your Vote Is Your Voice... Be Heard

Dear Union Member,

In September, the United School Employees of Pasco successfully re-registered as your collective bargaining agent. In spite of targeted attacks on teacher unions from Tallahassee, we were able to push our density above the 50% requirement expected of all instructional bargaining units under new Florida law. Though we should always be engaged in building the strength of our union, the urgent growth of our organization to the required density consumed valuable time, effort and resources from our professional organization—time, effort and resources that might have otherwise been invested in member services.

Hostile legislation like last year’s HB 7055 has become all too common. As the election draws near, we must question why we were targeted and by whom. And more importantly, what can we do to turn the tide?
We must recognize that it has not only been our collective bargaining rights under attack, public education itself has been threatened by those who would use voucher schemes and unfunded mandates to move us further away from our state’s constitutional obligation to offer ‘a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools that allows students to obtain a high quality education.’ When we think about our mission as educators, we must ask ourselves if we are holding policy makers accountable for the conditions they have created for learning in our schools. Who will work to ensure that our neighborhood public schools have the best resources to meet our students’ needs?

The outcomes of these elections will be decided by people who are informed and dedicated to representing their interests at the polls. While the candidates themselves are not perfect, our state and national affiliates have poured over resumes, voting records and platforms to make recommendations based on who best represents the issues impacting Public Education, our schools and students, and our working families. It is important not only that you vote, but also your family members as well. We need to educate our neighbors, fellow employees and others we come in regular contact with to the concerns of Public Education and how bad legislation affects our students, our employees and our district. We MUST vote our profession and understand those candidates who support our issues.

Voting is a personal decision, and I would never tell you how to vote. What I WOULD ask of you is to review the information in this UNITER. Your union and our state and national affiliates have participated in a process to endorse the best choices for workers in our state. These candidates have avowed themselves to fight for the working families here in Pasco County, in Florida, and nationally as well. It is your civic responsibility and duty to vote. Get your family and friends involved in this election. Take a stand, and TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Don Peace, President

Voter Turnout In the Midterm Is Vital - EVERY Vote Counts

We’ve all heard someone say it. Colleagues, family members, friends, and perhaps we ourselves have questioned whether our one vote could really make a difference, particularly in what seem to be highly partisan times. But before you give in to voter apathy, make note of these significant decisions that came about as the result of a single vote:

• In 1984, a Monroe County, Florida commissioner was elected by one vote.
• In the 1998 election of county commissioners in Gilchrist County, Florida, for lack of one additional vote in one district, the two candidates for county commissioner had the exact same number of votes. After a recount, the vote totals for both candidates still remained tied. Drawing lots determined the winner of the district’s contest.
• In a 1999 city election in Hillsborough County, Florida, one of the city council candidates won by a single vote!

At a time when there is so much on the line for our schools and our profession, every vote matters! We know that decisions are made by those who show up... and showing up has never been easier.

This year’s ballot is a lengthy one, so make plan! With the ease of Vote By Mail (VBM) and the convenience of Early Voting, there is no need to wait until the last minute to cast your ballot.

The election of US Senator, Governor, and State Legislators is certainly important, but please be sure to vote all the way down the ballot!