The Advocate - May 31, 2017

• Moving Backwards on Bargaining
• Be a PAT Leader: Run for Building Rep
• PAT PAC Election Results
• Turn Up the Heat in Salem

Last Tuesday, PAT members turned out in force to let the School Board know that negotiations are headed in the wrong direction.

For years we’ve heard Board Members and District leaders talk about rebuilding trust after our last bargain and we took them at their word. For a year-and-a-half we’ve been engaged in Interest-Based Bargaining with the District, and I’m really proud of our bargaining team. We’ve offered a lot of really creative ideas, and tried to work together despite a lot of bumps in the road.

It’s time to choose your PAT Building Representatives! Each spring we hold elections in every site to choose our Building Reps. It’s how we ensure that the Reps at each site are trusted, respected leaders. Please consider stepping up to take on this crucial role in your union.

The PAT PAC is Portland Association of Teachers' Political Action Committee.  The PAT PAC Board interviews candidates running for local office and recommends those who can best support public education and union values. Endorsement decisions reflect candidates’ written materials, their in-person interview, and their record.

On April 26, the PAT PAC held elections for open seats on the PAT PAC Board.  Here is your 2017-2018 PAT PAC Board:

This is a critical moment in the Oregon legislature.  Our lawmakers are making major budget decisions over the next two weeks that will determine whether the state raises revenue to invest in schools, helps lower class size, and adds back programs, or kicks the can down the road by passing a budget that will continue the decades of disinvestment in our students. 

Here is what you can do right now to make a difference: Call your legislator about the need to invest in an $8.6 billion state school budget and a $600 million budget for Community College.  You can find your legislator here and call them directly to talk to them about the need to invest in education: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/findyourlegislator/leg-districts.html