rta_chain_of_command.pdf

who_ya_gonna_call.pdf

rta_constitution_and_bylaws.pdf

DETROIT FEDERATION OF TEACHERS

NOTICE OF ELECTION TO BE HELD AT THE

December 12, 2019 MEMBERSHIP MEETING

ELECTION OF ONE (1) EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER and ONE (1) TRUSTEE

(AMENDED TWO-YEAR TERM OF OFFICE: JANUARY, 2019 TO JANUARY, 2021)

We have been patiently waiting for an official announcement from DAS that the Kronos project has been dramatically scaled back.  That announcement has finally come.  On Friday, 10/4 DAS Commissioner Josh Geballe stated that "we have decided to reduce the project scope to include only the six agencies with 24/7 operations in greatest need of Kronos functionality".  At these agencies, the primary purpose of Kronos is to provide a new scheduling tool for the 24/7 operations, typically replacing the Atlas tool.  The six 24/7 agencies are:

  * ​Department of Children and Families
  * Department of Veterans Affairs
  * Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
  * Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
  * Department of Correction
  * Department of Developmental Services​

You may recall that Kronos was the biometric time-keeping system that the State was in the process of installing at every entrance/egress of each and every facility operated by the State.  A&R spoke against this project frequently as we saw no justification for the state to be spending tens of millions of dollars on a log-in system while at the same time we were taking wage freezes and furloughs.  As we looked into this project further things only got worse: the original RFP didn't include the scope of the project actually purchased; the State was making the unusual move of paying for Kronos related staff increases via bonding; incorrect equipment had been purchased; and the Kronos system didn't "fit" with CORE-CT.  As a result, the Kronos project was an out of scope mess, costing approximately $500,000 per month, and an absolute morale killer.  So naturally, we opposed every bit of it.  To be certain, we were amazed to find that this $30 million project was largely unknown and hidden from our legislators.  We want to thank our partners at AFT-CT who helped us carry the ball in exposing and opposing this project. 

For the vast majority of A&R employees, plans for Kronos deployment have come to an end.  Unfortunately for our brothers and sisters at the six agencies listed above, we still do not know the extent of the project, nor do we know if all employees at these agencies, regardless of their work hours, will be expected to sign-in/out using Kronos.  A&R will try to find the answer to these questions.  If need be, we will file a demand to bargain over any change in working conditions. 

Bottom line:  while we have good news to share with most of our members regarding Kronos, we also must continue the fight at these select remaining agencies.

-posted 10/8

We wanted to share an Op-Ed piece that appeared in the Stamford Advocate.  It was written by our brother Xavier Gordon from AFSCME Local 269.  This is about state employee pensions and stands as a counter-balance to the typical narrative that demonizes public sector pensions...thank you for writing this Xavier!

As a Connecticut state employee and taxpayer, I feel that public service workers are among Connecticut’s greatest assets — and among the most unfairly vilified.

It is with a heavy heart that we recognize the courage and professionalism exhibited by the employees responding to and working the scene of the tragic plane crash at Bradley Airport this week.  Many of these professionals are our union brothers and sisters.  During this time of extreme stress for our colleagues, we wanted to let them know that we at A&R are thinking of them and we ask the entire membership to keep these courageous professionals in their thoughts this week.

- 10/4/19

CTA Proposals - October 3, 2019

Salary Entry Proposal

Longevity Proposal

CTA Counter Proposals (to District's counters.rejections) -October 3, 2019

Thank you to those members who made an effort to have your voice heard by voting on the new contract for the 2019-2023 contract years.  Your votes have been heard and I am happy to report that the new contract has been ratified and we are starting our next steps with the Office of Administration to finalize the contract.

AFT-Lone Star College wants your input on how we are perceived by different generations of Faculty and Staff. It is our goal to learn from you how we can improve our visibility at Lone Star College for all generations of employees.

CLICK HERE to take the survey!