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BFT Action - October 31st, 2018







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In this issue: November Election, Negotiations Listening Session, STRS Retirement Membership Meeting, and more...

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BFT Action--November 2018

Successful Contract Campaign Kickoff Event
Thanks to all of our members who attended the Contract Campaign Kickoff on October 11th. Members participated in a Speaker's Training, an Art Build and a Contract Action Team workshop. Members are engaged and ready to fight for a great contract.



Click on this link to see CFT endorsed candidates and measures in your local area.

BFT endorses the following candidates and measures:

2018 BFT Negotiations Team
The following people were ratified by the Executive Board to serve as the 2018-19 Negotiations Team:



Cathy Campbell - BFT President

Matt Meyer - BFT Vice-President/BHS

Cynthia Allman - BFT Treasurer/Malcolm X

Angela Reed - BFT Secretary/Jefferson

Janine Waddell - Classroom Teacher/Washington

Amanda Cardno - Special Ed Teacher/King

Susan D'Orazio - School Psychologist/BHS

Susi Lopez - World Languages Teacher/BHS

Hillary Trainor - Special Ed Teacher/Washington
November 15th BFT General Membership Meeting at the Adult School
Please plan to attend a Negotiations Listening Session at the Berkeley Adult School on November 15th from 4:00 - 5:30. Members of the Negotiations Team will be present and all BFT members will have a chance to speak about the upcoming negotiations. You can arrive any time between 4 pm and 5 pm and be heard.
Upcoming BFT Contract Campaign Speakers Trainings
BFT is hosting two fall speakers trainings to prepare us to speak to the School Board and the community about the Sustainability Crisis we are currently facing. We need more speakers. Please sign up for one of these two dates by emailing Matt Meyer at mattmeyerbft@gmail.com



Novemeber 1st: 4:45 - 5:45 Berkeley High School Library 

December 13th: 4:00 - 5:30 2020 Bonar St. Room 125 (BUSD District Building)
BFT Fall Sticker Action
All members are encouraged to wear stickers on your site's assigned day (contact your Site Rep). A critical part of our Contract Campaign is showing our strength to our community and to the District. Thanks to BFT member Julie Searle for the sticker design.

BFT Negotiations Survey Deadline
The deadline for the Negotiations Survey is November 2nd for Pre K - 12 teachers and November 5th for Adult School and Substitutes. If you have not taken the survey, please do so. Make your voice heard!
Transcripts for Salary Advancement Due Thursday, November 15th


If you have completed new units and plan to advance on the salary schedule, official transcripts are due to Human Resources by November 15th—start planning now! The BFT FAQ on Course Approval has a lot of useful information on the subject.



Remember that you must submit sealed, official transcripts to HR. Ask your Site Rep if you have any questions.
Veteran Teachers Mark Your Calendars!

STRS Workshop, January 10th!

This workshop will take place Thursday, January 10th at 4:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room at the Berkeley Adult School, 1701 San Pablo Ave. (at Virginia).



This workshop is designed for educators approaching retirement, but all members are welcome. This is not a sales pitch or a gimmick. STRS counselors will explain the basics of STRS retirement, the three decisions to make when retiring, and what you should be doing to prepare for retirement.



California Retired Teachers Association Giving Away $100 Grants!


Each school year the California Retired Teachers Association holds three rounds of teacher grants. We have a 30-second sign-up form and randomly select 25 teachers for $100 grants - no strings attached!  Here the entry form.  The deadline for this round is November 7th. Good luck!

BFT Recent Accomplishments
  • Over 125 members attended our Contract Kickoff Event on October 11th.
  • New updated Negotiations Surveys for Subs, Adult School, Special Ed and the General Membership.
  • Four great phone banks and precinct walking for Jovanka Beckles.
  • Launched Hustle, a texting app that will be useful for our Contract Campaign.
  • Successful Teacher of Color Network event on October 12th.
BFT Members Phone Banking for BFT Endorsed Candidates
Over 40 members volunteered to phone bank for all the BFT endorsed candidates. We have called all CFT members who live in Berkeley. Thanks for all your hard work! We made over 700 calls!

If You Have a Question or Concern at Your Site


If you have questions about your rights under the contract or issues that come up at your site, please check out our FAQs. If you still have questions, contact your Site Rep first for support. Your Site Rep will contact us if they need further information. 
REMINDER: Please Do NOT “Rate” Subs in Aesop
When you are absent and your class has a substitute teacher, you may get an email from Aesop asking for feedback on your sub.  Please DO NOT use this function to express concerns.  Please see your administrator with any concerns. Remember the BFT Requestable Sub List is available on our website.
Is Your Sick Leave Balance Correct?


All full-time BFT members receive 11 Sick Days each year; part-time teachers receive a pro-rated balance. Additionally, if you worked in another district before coming to BUSD your Sick Leave balance should have transferred with you. It is CRITICAL that you check your 10/31 sick leave.  Add up the Sick Leave days you’ve received each year in BUSD plus any days that transferred with you, subtract a rough count of days you’ve used and check that against the balance on your October 31st pay stub. If it seems like there is a discrepancy, please email Elizabeth Pizarro at elizabethpizarro@berkeley.net with a cc to your Site Rep.
Do You Plan to Retire Next Year? $1000 Bonus Available for Early Notification
Teachers who formally notify BUSD in writing prior to February 7, 2018 that they plan to retire at the end of the current school year will receive a $1000 bonus. To notify BUSD, teachers should use the Retirement form available on the BFT website and scan it into an email to Evelyn Bradley at evelynbradley@berkeley.net.
Calendar of Coming Events


11/1/18 Contract Campaign Speakers Training @ BHS 4:45

11/2/18 Elementary Parent Conference Day and All-Day PD for Secondary Staff

11/12/18 Veteran's Day Holiday

11/15/18 General Membership Meeting Negotiations Listening Session

11/19/18-11/23/18 Thanksgiving Break