PAT members have set the gold standard in our state for what unified and motivated professionals can achieve through collective bargaining in recent years. In addition to bargaining, much of the union’s work is accomplished by PAT members on our standing committees, benefitting all our colleagues and every Portland student.

• The Advocacy Committee defends your rights in contract administration meetings and grievances, addresses district-wide issues such as safety and workload, and informs the bargaining team and helps shape many of our bargaining priorities.
  
  
• Social Justice and Community Outreach Committee members strengthen ties with other labor and community organizations and conduct open forums on topics like Special Education, Immigration Rights and Climate Justice.
  
  
• The Racial Equity Committee is comprised of educators of color whose goal is to build organizational capacity within PAT to honor, acknowledge and center the lived experiences and stories of educators, along with students of color, within our union and inside PPS.
  
  
• The Substitute Teacher Committee discusses best practice for substitute teachers and supports the bargaining team. Their work, along with our collective efforts, helped PAT win the strongest Substitute Teacher contract in Oregon.
  
  
• The Membership Committee offers workshops to help PAT members with issues such as student loan forgiveness, retirement planning, and interview skills for the transfer process. It also plans member activities such as the annual PAT “Party in the Park” and Retiree Reception.
  
  
• The Instructional and Professional Development Committeemeets with PPS leadership monthly to advocate for better district-wide programs for all PAT members.
  
  
• The Legislative and PAT-PAC Committees meet with and lobby both elected leaders and candidates for elected office so that educators can influence our government to recognize the needs of our students and our profession.
  
  
• The Nominations and Elections Committee ensures that each PAT member has a fair and easy process when we’re electing PAT leaders or ratifying collective bargaining agreements.

PAT is a democratic organization whose leaders are elected. We volunteer to support and defend our colleagues, as well as the craft of education. We are exactly like you – educators who want to make a difference.

Everything we have accomplished is the result of educators working together for a school system that educators, families, and students deserve. We need you to be an involved member and to stand up for yourself, your colleagues, and your students.

If you are interested in learning more or getting involved in a committee, email PAT Vice President, Elizabeth Thiel at [email protected].