The Advocate - April 15, 2016

• Act Now to Build a Better Oregon
• Labor Activists Stand Up in Chicago
• OEA Representative Assembly: April 15-16
• PAT Members Weigh In on Housing and Environmental Issues
• Shaping ESSA in Oregon
• Internal Transfers: Postings Open April 19th
• Making the Case for Fossil Fuel Divestment
• Workshop on Licensure and Highly Qualified Status

We're down to the wire with our goal of collecting 10,000 signatures by mid-April. We have counted 8,110 signatures as of April 7, and OEA still has over a thousand in process. PAT members should be proud of the fact that we've collected over ten percent of the signatures statewide, but we can't stop now!

This weekend, PAT members will take part in the Oregon Education Association's Representative Assembly. This is our statewide union's highest body, and a key place to make our voice heard on everything from legislative and political issues to professional practice.

PAT Representative Assemblies continue to be a place for lively discussion and debate, where members tackle a wide array of issues affecting our city.

PAT's own Gwen Sullivan has been chosen to represent PAT as part of an Oregon Department of Education workgroup guiding the state's implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act. 

This is the time of year that eligible PAT members can opt for an internal transfer and some may even face "unassignment". It's important that everyone understands the process.

At the 2015 OEA Representative Assembly, delegates voted to inform our members about the arguments for divesting PERS from fossil fuel companies. 

Kudos to PAT Executive Board member Tom Kane for his article in the Winter 2016 issue of the Today's OEA, which spells out the way our retirement funds can be used to slow climate change and spur development of local clean energy solutions