This is just a friendly reminder that when communicating with fellow teachers about non work issues such as union issues, state budgets etc. that you should use your home e-mail account and home personal computer. A few stories have been running in the news the last couple days about groups submitting FOIA requests for schools e-mails. When writing e-mails using school computers, e-mail accounts, and time always remember to write as if the e-mail would be read on the evening news for the whole world to hear.
This is a big grey area and some schools have co operated and others have tried to fight the FOIA. It is better to be safe then sorry. For more information on the happenings check out the articles below.
Detroit Free Press Article
Lansing State Journal
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Update From Mea
March 24 - Lawmakers recessed today for two weeks without voting on measures that would infringe on collective bargaining and local control. The Legislature returns to session April 12.
At that time, the Senate could vote on House Bill 4152, a bill to freeze wages and benefits when a collective bargaining agreement expires until a new contract takes effect. This would effectively eliminate step raises between contracts and require employees to pay any increased costs of maintaining health insurance and other benefits. The legislation would also prohibit any retroactive increase in wages or benefits after a new contract is signed. MEA opposes this bill -- please contact your state senator NOW and urge him/her to vote NO on House Bill 4152.
And in the House, House Bill 4059, which would prohibit public employers from paying union officials for time conducting union business, is still pending. MEA opposes this bill, too. Please contact your state representative and ask him/her to vote NO on House Bill 4059.
While lawmakers are back home, it's a good time to set up meetings with them or to attend constituent events they have planned in the district. Take time to reach out to your elected leaders -- it's important that they hear from you!
At that time, the Senate could vote on House Bill 4152, a bill to freeze wages and benefits when a collective bargaining agreement expires until a new contract takes effect. This would effectively eliminate step raises between contracts and require employees to pay any increased costs of maintaining health insurance and other benefits. The legislation would also prohibit any retroactive increase in wages or benefits after a new contract is signed. MEA opposes this bill -- please contact your state senator NOW and urge him/her to vote NO on House Bill 4152.
And in the House, House Bill 4059, which would prohibit public employers from paying union officials for time conducting union business, is still pending. MEA opposes this bill, too. Please contact your state representative and ask him/her to vote NO on House Bill 4059.
While lawmakers are back home, it's a good time to set up meetings with them or to attend constituent events they have planned in the district. Take time to reach out to your elected leaders -- it's important that they hear from you!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Talking Points
Follow the links below to use the following talking points when contacting legislative members.
Also you will find links that will help you find contact information for your representative. If you wish to add talking points to the talking point document you can do that. You do not need a G-mail account to edit the document. Remember that anyone with the link to the document can edit, read, and make revisions.
Talking Points Document
Michigan House of Representatives Search
Michigan State Senate
Also you will find links that will help you find contact information for your representative. If you wish to add talking points to the talking point document you can do that. You do not need a G-mail account to edit the document. Remember that anyone with the link to the document can edit, read, and make revisions.
Talking Points Document
Michigan House of Representatives Search
Michigan State Senate
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)