Unionized charter school teachers need your support

Charter school teachers in the Bronx who elected to join the UFT need your help. They have been working for two years without a contract and have been mistreated and harassed by their administration. We've organized a call-in campaign to urge the school's board members to respect teachers' rights. We're calling one board member each week; be sure to let us know that you made a call by checking the "Yes, I called" box below so we can keep you informed as the campaign moves ahead.

Background

In January 2010, educators at the NYC Charter High School for Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industries (AECI) in the Bronx formed a union at their school to provide a positive and stable school culture for their students. Educators delivered letters to the school’s principal and board of directors that called for a more formal voice in school operations to “strengthen our school community and enhance the educational experience of our students, faculty and administrators.” A few months later the board formally recognized the union, and contract negations began.

Since then educators at the charter school have been working for two years without a contract. The teacher-led contract committee diligently attended all bargaining sessions in hopes of reaching a contract that would serve the interest of the entire school community. Negotiations reached impasse last winter.

Due to the stalled negotiations, teachers' salaries have been frozen and union activists have suffered harassment from the administration. AECI’s administration has engaged in a campaign of intimidation against teachers; they have suspended, terminated and otherwise disciplined union activists and supporters.

Educators at the school just want to focus on educating their students free from harassment and with a contract in place.

Take action

Call board member Irma Zardoya at 917-882-3533 and tell her to respect teachers’ rights.

Demand that the board:

• End all retaliation by administration against teachers and staff involved in the organizing and contract campaign.
• Respect educators’ right to strengthen their school community by advocating for the best working conditions for teachers and learning conditions for students.
• Negotiate a contract in good faith. 

Here is a sample script for when you call:

“I am calling to express my concerns about acts of intimidation and retaliation against teachers at AECI. I demand that the administration stop harassing educators and negotiate in good faith with these teachers. Teachers deserve a fair contract and a workplace free of harassment. We require that you and the board end all retaliation against the teachers and respect their right to organize.

“As educators, we know the most important relationships at any school are the relationships between teachers and students. Having consistent, supportive and empowered teachers is crucial to student achievement. Negotiate in good faith with the teachers at AECI and let educators focus on what happens inside the classroom, free from intimidation.”

Tell AECI’s board, to respect their teachers' right to organize a union, and that we will not tolerate retaliation.

For more information about the unionized charter school movement, go the UFT Alliance of Charter Teachers & Staff website.

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