USEP Update – Friday, March 5th, 2021

USEP UPDATE
FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021 (ACTION REQUIRED)

There is a lot of information in this update. PLEASE READ IT ALL!

• COVID-19 VACCINES FOR ALL EDUCATORS - We just got word late yesterday that CVS, Walmart and Sam’s club pharmacies are administering the COVID vaccine to all educators, including all Pre-k – 12 teachers and all support staff. Check out their websites to schedule an appointment for the vaccine. These are vaccines coming from the Federal Government and are governed by the President’s order from earlier this week. State administered vaccines are still limited to educators over 50, but the pharmacies with vaccines from the Federal programs are available to all educators regardless of age. We will let you know of any other locations as we find out more. There may be implications to your insurance (Co-pays?), but we were unable to get definitive information. Please check with your provider prior to scheduling to see if this pertains to you.

  CVS:
  https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine

  Walmart:
  https://www.walmart.com/cp/1228302?search_redirect=true&redirect_query=vaccine&redirectQuery=vaccine

  Sam’s Club:
  https://www.samsclub.com/pharmacy/immunization?imzType=covid&fbclid=IwAR0hES2BjJUXGaUzbkE0FVW2Tq9_9BtQtlJQXaDvmMKj1VVu_3w2iye8U18

• USEP wants to give you a brief update on one of the ways that we advocate on your behalf!

  Yesterday morning at 10:00 AM, we made a presentation to the district regarding a grievance that was filed on behalf of all teachers. We discussed several contract violations that we believe occurred as part of the district’s plan to “close” Marlowe and Centennial Elementary Schools and then immediately reopen them as STEAM schools. We objected to contract violations related to the district’s failure to notify USEP of school closings, failure to properly follow the Involuntary Transfer language and the Transfers and Reassignments language in the contract. We will continue to strive for a contractual remedy for this situation.

  As our valued member, we want you to know that we will always fight for you and your contract!

• HB 947 (Companion to SB 78)
  • This Bill will be heard on Monday at 10:00 AM in the Government Operations Subcommittee.
  • Requires that public employee who desires to join employee organization sign membership authorization form and that the form includes specified acknowledgement.
  • provides revocation form may not require employee to state reason for revocation.
  • provides deductions commence upon employer's receipt & confirmation of employee's signed deduction authorization form.
  • requires confirmation within specified time.
  • specifies time period that employee's authorization to deduct dues & uniform assessments remains in effect (employee must resign each new contract).

    This is unneeded and unwanted governmental oversight, both by employees and employers.

• HB 835 (Companion to SB 1014)
  • This Bill will be heard on Monday at 10:00 AM in the Government Operations Subcommittee.
  • See below the info on SB 1014

***PLEASE TAKE ACTION***
***PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE AND CONTACT THE COMMITTEE AND TELL THEM TO VOTE NO ON THESE BILLS! ***
CLICK ON THIS LINK

• The time you take to contact these legislators can mean the difference in the job, benefits and salary you have now, and what could be with new legislation.

TAKE THE TIME TO INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE!

• OTHER BILLS TO WATCH – WILL REQUEST ACTION WHEN HEARD IN COMMITTEE/ON THE FLOOR:
  • CS/SB 48 – (RELATED BILL – SB 7052)
    • Combines existing vouchers into two large categories.
      • Combines McKay (disabilities) and Gardiner (special needs) into one program.
      • Combines Family Empowerment (Income of up to $77,250), FL Tax Credit (Corporate Scholarships) and Hope (Bullied) into one scholarship program.
    • HEADED TO SENATE FLOOR FOR FULL SENATE VOTE! We will send out an ACTION call when a specific date and time is posted.
  • SB 84 – FRS (No House Companion)
    • Eliminates FRS Pension plan for those hired after July 1, 2022.
    • This will ultimately destabilize the pension plan and will affect the future retirement pay-outs of employees.
  • SB 78 – (Companion HB 947)
    • See information above on HB 947)
    • Possibly waiting for decision on HB 947 (Could trigger action on SB 1014)
  • SB 1014 – (Companion HB 835)
    • Allows PERC to investigate submissions for re-registration.
    • Requires District oversight to authorize request for membership.
    • Requires SRP units to meet the 50% + 1 density threshold.

• BILLS THAT SUPPORT EMPLOYEES/PUBLIC EDUCATION
  • SB 886
    • Hold harmless on student test scores from 2020-2021 on 3rd grade retentions, school grades or teacher evaluations.
    • Eliminate schools from being placed in TurnAround option based on 2020-2021 school grade.
  • HB 865
    • Allows local control of funds used to determine employee salaries.
  • SB 1310
    • Returns COLA to the FRS
  • SB 1782
    • Provides for local control on teacher contracts.
    • Deletes prohibition on annual contract renewal.
    • Allows for extended contracts.

***PLEASE TAKE ACTION AND CONTACT THE COMMITTEE
TO OPPOSE HB 947 AND HB 835!***

Don Peace, USEP President