The 2012 annual report to the Legislature was submitted by DOA last month. 

The report stated that the total use of contractors by state agencies and the UW increased by 5% this year (from $488,900,000 to $515,818,979).  The report for 2011 indicated that the total use of contractors increased by 17% for that year (from $417,200,000 to $488,900,000). 

The agency doing the most contracting out, hands down, was the Department of Health Services with a reported $182,417,260 in personal services contracts. 

When the 113th Congress heads to Washington, D.C., in January, there will be a lot of new faces among their ranks. One of these new faces to the U.S. Senate is a familiar face to the citizens of North Dakota, and especially to the members of the North Dakota Public Employees Association and the American Federation of Teachers.

How to sign up for a MYNYSTRS account:

Download the latest retirement kit if you are thinking about retiring.

Click here:

http://eta.ny.aft.org/files/retirement_kit_2013_updated_version.pdf

Click on the link to read the AFT statement on massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. 

http://mhft.ca.aft.org/files/12-14-12_aft_statement_on_massacre_at_sandy_hook_elementary_school.pdf

Each year in December, the North Dakota Public Employees Association runs its own special raffle for members. Buy a ticket, and you get your chance to win money each day in our Month of Money.  Click here to see if YOU won today!!

Having reflected on the tragedy on Friday, I would like to send my condolences to the community of Newtown, Connecticut and the students, parents, faculty and staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School. 

Both Parties Meet Despite Mediator’s Absence

LANGHORNE, PA (December 12, 2012) — The Mediator was unable to attend Wednesday evening’s negotiation session between bargaining teams for the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers and the Neshaminy School Board.

The parties nevertheless went ahead with face-to-face bargaining—discussing the Federation’s comprehensive proposal. The document, which was provided to the Board in advance of the meeting, addressed a number of the outstanding issues.

Disagreement on several issues has slowed the momentum of the talks. Despite the substantial economic concessions offered by the teachers, the Board refuses to seriously consider a number of significant issues that are critical to the educational quality of Neshaminy schools. While the NFT is insisting on guarantees of educational excellence for students, the Board is looking to lift class size limits and allow administrators to change students’ grades without teacher involvement.

The District indicated that it required additional time to consider the Federation’s positions.

The next negotiation session is scheduled for 12/18/12.

Workers in Michigan need your help to protect their voice and Michigan’s middle class

Workers in Michigan need your help to protect their voice and Michigan’s middle class