Hola! Buenos Dias Maestres!

When Bao Ngyuen (PAT UniServ Staff) and I waited for the elevator at MPEC, we heard a whisper. A member walked past us on their way out and said “WHO ARE WE?” with a large smile.

“PAT,” I yelled, with a huge grin on my face.

Folks, we just accomplished something incredible. We stood up for our students and each other. We won improvements on our safety language, COLA, increase in student supports, staff meetings and PD within the 8 hour workday, additional planning time, more work groups added to our overage table, increased eligibility for the bilingual stipend, and an increase in the Professional Development funds for all educators. We fought back against language take backs around internal round rights, letters of expectations, and release time for Special Educators. We built a community with our neighbors, our students and each other. We showed educators and laborers across the nation that when public education is under attack, we show up and fight! (See news stories HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.)

We must celebrate the work we’ve done and look toward the future. As a first time President, and the first time as a president during the strike, there is a lot to reflect on and learn from. We are in the process of doing some debriefing with our CAT Captains, Executive Board, Bargaining Team, staff and governance to look for ways we can institutionalize our wins and build up our areas for growth. Thank you to members who shared emails of support and constructive criticism to your elected leadership. I appreciate and look forward to connecting with you all as Jacque and I start visiting schools again.

Solidarity Forever

Now that the strike is over, we have to put that same energy behind our union siblings, SEIU and PFSP. Both groups have entered mediation, and are on a timeline to strike early next year. I have reached out to their Presidents to see how PAT can support their campaign and offered a weekly meeting so we can stay up to date and support them. I will share that information as soon as I receive it. 

For now, make sure to wear your PURPLE on Wednesday for SEIU, and GREEN on Thursdays for PFSP. Show them we’ve got their backs, and thank them for their support during our bargain!

And in case no one told you today, you’re awesome and we love you.

In Solidarity,

Angela Bonilla

President, Portland Association of Teachers