September 8, 2024
To: All UTL Members,
The Start of the 2024-2025 School Year:
We hope that all members enjoyed a relatively smooth opening to the new school year! Our youngest students in Kindergarten and Pre-K just began last week, allowing our older students to settle in the week before.
Negotiations Update:
The language for all four units’ tentative agreements has circulated back and forth between UTL and management for both sides to be certain each document is accurate and acceptable to all.
We are somewhat hopeful we may receive the final revisions from management by tomorrow, at which point the documents will be shared with our negotiating team for one last examination. Once this process is complete (could happen tomorrow), we will then print copies for all members in each of the four units. Then we will proceed to disseminate each Unit’s packet to all schools.
Per UTL bylaws, each member must receive a hard copy of his/her unit's tentative agreement within 72 hours of a Ratification Meeting (TBD). It is at the Ratification Meeting where each unit meets with its members to discuss the proposal and, ultimately, to vote to accept or reject it.
As soon as it is reasonable, members will be getting copies of their unit’s proposal, contingent upon the final revisions being agreed to by both parties.
Questions/concerns:
We wish all of you a very successful year and we remind everyone that all concerns brought to us by our members are held in the utmost confidence. Call us with concerns at 978-937-9039 or email us at utl@utlowell495.com.
The Negotiating Team
Reminder! Our UTL email messages are for the benefit of full members of the United Teachers of Lowell and ARE NOT TO BE SHARED VIA EMAIL OR ELECTRONICALLY in part or whole without explicit consent of United Teachers of Lowell 495.
Connect With The United Teachers of Lowell
Phone: 978.937.9039 or Fax: 978.937.9544
Email: utl@utlowell495.org
Website: http://unitedteacherslowell.org/
Sent via ActionNetwork.org. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from United Teachers of Lowell, please click here.
August 30, 2024
To United Teachers of Lowell Members:
Regarding Jim Hall’s email sent to “Fellow Employees,” dated Thursday, August 29th, subject: Process for applying for religious accommodations, please note the following:
The United Teachers of Lowell 495 (UTL) has not agreed that administration should or could change the policy concerning religious leave (Article IX, “Sick Leave and Leaves of Absence,” G. Religious Leave: An employee who is a member of any religious denomination shall, upon written notice to the Superintendent, be granted as a reasonable accommodation up to three days of paid religious leave each school year). This change is not the result of any agreement made at the bargaining table but a unilateral decision made by management. We will be discussing this proposed change of past practice with attorneys at AFTMA after the holiday weekend. We will keep you informed after that discussion.
Paul Georges, UTL President
August 26, 2024
Dear UTL Members,
Today the Negotiating Team successfully reached an agreement with the Lowell School Committee for the following UTL bargaining Units: Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Custodian/Security Guards, and Cafeteria employees.
The next step in the process is to schedule ratification meetings for members of each bargaining unit. We will be meeting with each unit at designated times for ratification of the respective contract proposals.
At this time, we extend our appreciation and thanks to members of your negotiating team: Paul Georges, Pina Maggio, Mickie Dumont, Mary Ann Dyson, Susan Uvanni, Diane McLean, Rose Bergeron, Mike Sheehan, Colleen Dorris, Lisa Rowsell, Kevin Freeman, and Julissa Reyes, AFTMA Field Rep.
Details of each unit's contract proposal will be forthcoming.
Sincerely,
Members of the UTL Executive Board
August 20th, 2024
Dear sisters, brothers, and siblings,
We have had ten (10) bargaining sessions with the district and we have hit a wall. We are currently bargaining through a mediator. Needless to say that wall is still standing between us and the district on several issues such as improvements in our bereavement language, parental leave, and competitive compensation.
We have put together several actions to TURN UP THE HEAT!
· Wear your UTL red to school every Wednesday. Take pictures and share to utl@utlowell495.org.
· Please join us on Friday, September 6th, before school for a district-wide walk-in that will be held at every school. Building reps will be hosting 10 Minute Meetings to plan with you.
· Attend a school committee meeting. Please click here to sign up.
Please check your emails regularly for updates and information.
In solidarity,
UTL Bargaining Team
August 10, 2024
Dear UTL Members:
Negotiation Update:
In our previous GetActive update (8/1/24), we shared with you that a mediator has been assigned to the UTL/School Committee Negotiations. Furthermore, we explained the first meeting with the mediator present was held on 7/31/24 with minimal progress. Our next two scheduled meetings are on August 12th and August 19th, at which time we are hopeful for greater progress.
General Membership Meeting to be held on 8/21/24:
In any year when there is not a current contract in place by the first day of school, a General Membership meeting will be held within three days of the start of the school year.
We will, therefore, be holding a General Membership meeting on:
Date/Time: Wednesday, August 21st, 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Location: Stoklosa School, 560 Broadway St.
The Agenda for this meeting is as follows:
Review of Robert’s Rules of Order
Financial Report by Treasurer Kevin Freeman
Update on Negotiations (Paul Georges)
Recommendations for Actions include Wear Red on Wednesdays/negotiation days; District-wide Walk-ins; Work-to-Rule; Attend/speak at School Committee meetings; Email/call School Committee members; and others to be announced.
School Committee Meeting Dates through December (all on Wednesdays, at City Hall, starting at 6:30 p.m.):
8/21, 9/4, 9/18, 10/2, 10/16, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4, 12/18
Teacher and Paraprofessional Building Rep Meeting to be held on 8/20/24:
All teacher and paraprofessional building reps are expected to attend a Building Rep meeting scheduled for August 20th, at the UTL Office, at 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Date/Time: Tuesday, August 20th, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: UTL Office, 169 Merrimack St.
United We Stand:
"The future depends on what you do today." —Mahatma Gandhi.
Each and every one of us can make a difference, individually and collectively. Your presence at a School Committee meeting will represent the voices of many. A sea of red shirts seen at school or at a School Committee meeting is a symbol of unity.
We need to be united in an effort to ensure a successful outcome to the negotiation process. We need each member to take an active part during this critical time.
One small step for our members; one giant step for unionism! Make it happen! Take that first step (See below):
We ask members to attend the School Committee meeting on Wednesday, August 21st. Our General Membership meeting should be over by 5:30 pm. Wear your red shirts. Some may want to walk from the Stoklosa to City Hall. This would be at each member’s discretion.
Important Dates:
Teacher and Paraprofessional Building Rep Meeting to be held on Tuesday, 8/20/24
General Membership Meeting to be held on Wednesday, 8/21/24
School Committee Meeting on Wednesday, 8/21/24
In solidarity,
Paul Georges, UTL President....
On behalf of the Negotiating Team which is comprised of: Paul Georges, UTL President; Pina Maggio, Executive Vice President; Mickie Dumont, Corresponding Secretary; Susan Uvanni, Elementary Vice President; Maryann Dyson, High School Vice President; Diane MacLean, Recording Secretary; Kevin Freeman, Treasurer; Rose Bergeron, Para Chair; Colleen Dorris, Cafeteria Chair; Mike Sheehan, Custodial Chair; Lisa Rowsell, Membership Chair, and Julissa Reyes, AFT Field Representative.
Reminder! Our UTL email messages are for the benefit of full members of the United Teachers of Lowell and ARE NOT TO BE SHARED VIA EMAIL OR ELECTRONICALLY in part or whole without explicit consent of United Teachers of Lowell 495.
Connect With The United Teachers of Lowell
Phone: 978.937.9039 or Fax: 978.937.9544
Email: utl@utlowell495.org
Website: http://unitedteacherslowell.org/
Sent via ActionNetwork.org. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from United Teachers of Lowell, please click here.
August 1st, 2024
Dear UTL Members:
Congratulations to our newest addition to the UTL family!
Welcome to the full-time and part-time LPSD employees employed as assistant database administrator, technician, manager of information communication technology services (ICTS), District webmaster, computer network manager, support liaison, information technology (IT) specialist, and assistant network manager/application specialist. It is so exciting to expand our membership to include all of you, our brothers and sisters.
School Committee and City of Lowell Violate state law! A win for the UTL membership!
The Hearing Officer of the Department of Labor Relations conducted an investigation on the United Teachers of Lowell 495 charge that the Lowell School Committee, "had engaged in prohibited practices within the meaning of Section 10(a)(5), and derivatively 10(a)1 of Mass General Laws, Chapter 150E (the law)." Furthermore, an investigation was conducted on the United Teachers of Lowell 495 charge that the City of Lowell, "had engaged in prohibited practices within the meaning of Section 10(a)(5), and derivatively 10(a)(1) of the Law."
Based on the evidence presented during the investigations, the Hearing Officer found:
1) "probable cause to believe that violations of the Law occurred." 2) "the City and the Committee have failed to bargain in good faith by changing the timing of payroll deductions without giving the UTL prior notice. 3) "the City and the Committee have derivatively interfered with, restrained and coerced employees in the exercise of their rights...."
Outcome: The decision to change the timing of payroll deductions may be reversed or the City of Lowell and the School Committee are forced to negotiate an alternative plan.
Negotiations Mediation Update:
A mediator has been assigned to the UTL/School Committee Negotiations. The first meeting was held last night on Wednesday, July 31st. Largely, introductions of the mediator to both sides (School Committee and UTL) took place. Some progress was made in that the school committee dropped some of its most egregious demands. The progress, however, was minimal. The next two scheduled meetings will be on August 12th and August 19th. We will follow up with updates as they occur.
Summer School:
We have been informed that summer school management is requesting teachers to voluntarily take unpaid leave from their positions for the last two weeks of summer school because of mismanagement of funds. It is unconscionable that individuals who have adjusted their summer vacation to accommodate the needs of our students are shown such disrespect.
The UTL Collective Bargaining Agreement, unfortunately, does not cover summer school employees/programs. Although the summer school program is not covered by our collective bargaining agreement, we will continue to advocate for all those who have been adversely impacted by this recent disturbing financial event. Nevertheless, in the meantime, we advise all to contact the School Committee (SchoolCommittee@lowell.k12.ma.us) as soon as possible about this egregious situation.
Paul Georges, President, UTL
July 8, 2024
Dear UTL members,
We have had five negotiation meetings between the UTL and the School Committee representatives, which include Superintendent Skinner, COO Jim Hall, School Committee representatives Dave Conway, Jackie Doherty, and Connie Martin. At the fifth bargaining session on June 24th, the UTL recommended, and the School Committee representatives agreed, that mediation should be our next step. As a result, our Field Representative Negotiator, Julissa Reyes, filed for mediation on June 25th, 2024.
What is mediation? Mediation involves the intervention of a third person, or mediator, into a dispute to assist the parties in negotiating jointly acceptable resolution of any/all issues in conflict. The mediator meets with the parties at a neutral location where the parties can discuss the dispute and explore a variety of solutions.
Presently, we await notification of an appointed mediator who will provide us with additional negotiating dates. We will be requesting these dates include the attendance of all School Committee members, as opposed to limiting it to the three-appointed members with whom we have been negotiating thus far.
At this point in time, in accordance with the agreed-upon ground rules between the two parties, we are not at liberty to share actual details of the issues in dispute.
Please understand there are many issues yet to be agreed upon, not the least of which include School Committee proposals that require considerable amounts of additional uncompensated time at different grade levels, demands for after-school uncompensated PD, and rejection of various language changes/updates in all Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), to name just a few.
Please keep your eyes open for more updates! Enjoy your summer!
Paul Georges, President
June 10, 2024
To our Members:
We completed our 4th Negotiation Session this evening. We have submitted 6 proposals on behalf of all four units (teachers, paraprofessionals, food service workers, and building service employees [i.e. salaries, benefits, etc.]. We have submitted 14 proposals on behalf of the teachers' unit; 12 proposals on behalf of the paraprofessional unit; 21 proposals on behalf of the food service workers; and 14 proposals on behalf of the building service employees.
The School Committee is meeting Wednesday evening, June 12th, at 6:30 p.m. at the Stoklosa Middle School, 560 Broadway, Lowell. We ask as many members as possible to attend this meeting. We waited until tonight's negotiation session to determine our next steps. Wearing your red UTL shirt or any other red shirt) will show support for your negotiating team.
Please make every effort to come. You may stay for just a few minutes or longer. We continue to speak on your behalf. By attending Wednesday night's School Committee meeting, you will be speaking on "your own behalf." No words need to be spoken unless one wishes to speak to an agenda item which would necessitate registering with the Superintendent's secretary by Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. Email to LBedoya@lowell.k12.ma.us or call 978-674-4324. The very presence of our members will speak for itself.
For those who are unable to attend, we certainly understand. There will be other actions as we move forward. Every individual at these events counts.
Please join us.
Your Negotiating Team
UTL JOB ACTIONS June 5th, 2024
1.On Wednesday, June 12th, at 6:00 pm, we will have a show of solidarity at Lowell City Hall just prior to the School Committee 6:30 pm meeting. Wear your UTL red shirts. We have more at the office (978-937-9039). ***WE WERE INFORMED LAST NIGHT AT NEGOTIATIONS THAT THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING WILL BE AT CENTRAL OFFICE NEXT WEEK, NOT CITY HALL. IT WILL BE AT 155 MERRIMACK STREET, 5th FLOOR, LOWELL, 01852
2.Representation from every school will be most effective.
3.Each school may create their own posters reflecting priorities: higher wages; Paid Family Medical Leave for all units; more SpEd teachers, SpEd paras; reasonable caseloads for all SpEd staff (SLPs, OTs,PTs, etc.); increase course reimbursement; increase hourly voluntary rate; higher sub pay for paras; added steps for Food Service workers and Custodian/Security Guards; RESPECT; facility improvements/maintenance (heat, air conditioning, pest control); and more.
4.Call/email School Committee members to request a respectful and successful contract settlement.
5.Request to speak at next Wednesday’s School Committee meeting.
UPDATE: *** The School Committee meeting has been changed to LPS Central Office. This new venue is quite small and will not have room for a lot of people. We are awaiting word as to whether or not the meeting will be televised/Zoomed. Once we have all the details we will alert everyone of plans to proceed. In the meantime, please email and or call the SC members (and Mayor) as listed below and urge them to respectfully consider all proposals placed before them. The current contract expires on June 30th and our members would appreciate being able to end this school year with a new contract in hand!
UTL members in every unit (custodians, cafeteria workers, paras, and teachers) are committed to providing the best services to our students.
We expect UTL's reasonable proposals to the School Committee to be considered with great thoughtfulness and appreciation for the dedication of all our members.
Ask Mayor Rourke and the six School Committee members to make every effort to honor the UTL bargaining proposals that will benefit all our members and ultimately all our students.
RENEWED CONTRACTS = RENEWED ENERGY
When you are valued … you are respected!
LPS SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND MAYOR
Daniel P. Rourke drourke@lowell.k12.ma.us
Mayor/School Committee Chair
15 Bridget Lane
Lowell, MA 01854
Tel: 978-674-4040
Fred Bahou fbahou@lowell.k12.ma.us
225 Gibson Street
Lowell, MA 01851
Tel: 978-319-7853
Dave Conway djconway@lowell.k12.ma.us
528 Andover Street
Lowell, MA 01852
Tel: 978-888-3194
Eileen DelRossi edelrossi@lowell.k12.ma.us
557 Beacon Street
Lowell, MA 01850
Tel: 978-494-3425
Jackie Doherty jadoherty@lowell.k12.ma.us
415 Pawtucket Street Apt. 1
Lowell, MA 01851
Tel: 978-660-0810
Dominik Lay dlay@lowell.k12.ma.us
School Committee Vice-Chair
363 Walker Street
Lowell, MA 01851
Tel: 978-427-3776
Connie A. Martin cmartin@lowell.k12.ma.us
17 Summit Street
Lowell, MA 01852
Tel: 978-729-2161
May 30th, 2024
Dear Members,
This is a reminder that there will be a General Membership Meeting next Tuesday, June 4th, 2024.
We received final confirmation this morning that the Sullivan School has been confirmed as the venue for this event which will begin at approximately 4:00 PM.
We urge all of you (teachers, paraprofessionals, custodians/security guards, and food service employees) to attend this meeting to be updated on negotiations!
These membership meetings will not be held via ZOOM due to the possibility of confidentiality being compromised.
Hope to see many/all of you there. Please make every effort to attend.
Sincerely,
UTL Negotiating Team
May 22, 2024
To all members,
The UTL Negotiating Team met with the Superintendent and School Committee last night to present the proposals from all four UTL units: Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Custodians/Security Guards, and Food Service Employees (Cafeteria Workers).
We have requested that the School Committee respond to our proposals at our next scheduled meeting on Tuesday, May 28th at 7 pm.
We previously announced to UTL members that once we have received a response to proposals from the School Committee we would call for a General Membership meeting. In anticipation of receiving a response by next Tuesday, we have secured the Sullivan School to hold our next General Membership meeting at which time members will be updated on the status of Negotiations.
The General Membership meeting is scheduled for 4 pm at the Sullivan School on Tuesday, June 4th, 2024. We hope to see many of you there.
On another note, as a friendly reminder, we encourage all of you to complete the "UTL End of Year Job Satisfaction Survey."
https://forms.gle/TL1CumqMtrV5gmus9
Best regards,
UTL Negotiating Team
5/15/24
To our UTL Members:
To those of you who have already completed the survey, our sincere thanks. You have provided valuable information that will determine the UTL's next steps. However, in order for this information to be considered valid and reliable, we must have a majority of our members respond.
The survey takes but a few minutes. The information will give direction to our action plans for the coming year. Just a few minutes of your time will provide the UTL with valuable data. Please take the time to complete the survey.
https://forms.gle/TL1CumqMtrV5gmus9
The Executive Board
May 10, 2024
Dear Members,
We have developed a very brief end-of-year Job Satisfaction survey. Your responses will guide us in learning the level of satisfaction and areas in need of improvement at your school. Please take the time to complete this survey accessing the link below:
https://forms.gle/TL1CumqMtrV5gmus9
The Executive Board
SCHOOL BUDGET INFORMATION
May 3, 2024
FY25 Budget - Public Sessions:
Saturday, May 4th, 2024 -Budget Public Hearing - 10:00 AM City Hall - Council Chambers
Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 - 2nd Budget Public Hearing (if needed) 5:30 PM City Hall
Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 - Budget Adoption 6:30 PM City Hall
If you cannot attend the meetings at City Hall, they can be viewed on Local Channel 6 or at LTC.org.
Public Budget Hearing The Full FY25 Proposed Budget Can Be Found At: www.lowell.k12.ma.us/FY25ProposedBudget
You may write to all school committee members at:
SchoolCommittee@lowell.k12.ma.us.
April 23rd, 2024
Hello Members,
As promised, AFTMA Field Rep Andrew Powell has prepared an FY '25 GIC Overview presentation for our members this Thursday evening at 7:30 pm.
If you are interested in attending, please find the ZOOM link here.
Also of great importance to all GIC Health Plan subscribers is the current Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), commonly known as Ultra Benefits found here.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office at 978-937-9039.
Sunday, April 21st, 2024
Dear LPSD Health Plan Subscribers,
As a follow-up to the announcement made in a Get Active just before Spring Break, please be reminded that AFTMA Field Representative, Andrew Powell, will meet with any GIC Health Plan subscribers wanting to know more about the different GIC health care plans while we are still in open enrollment!
The information session will occur at the Sullivan School tomorrow, Monday, April 22nd, starting at 4:00 pm. Andy will address any changes that will be occurring in any of the plans and will also be available for a Q & A session for those who have questions.
If you have questions prior to this meeting, please call our office at 978-937-9039 tomorrow (Monday).
Best,
Paul
February 7, 2024
To UTL Members:
Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations - Unfair Labor Practice Charge of Prohibitive Practice regarding the modification of salary deductions by the City of Lowell.
The unfair labor practice hearing dealing with the above was held on January 5th. The presiding hearing officer is contemplating the question whether a School Committee agreement with its union can require the city to honor that agreement. The hearing officer has asked for input from the School Committee attorney and the Union attorney. As of this writing, no decision has been made. We feel the evidence is very strong that the law requires the city to honor that agreement, as it is acting as an arm of the city government. We will give you more information when it is available.
Public Employee Committee (PEC) update regarding Ultra Benefits.
Andrew Powell, AFT MA Representative, PEC Chair Paul Georges and other city and school department union representatives met on February 1st. It was agreed to have Ultra Benefits continue making eligible reimbursements to qualifying union members. It was also agreed that the “down time” when the contract ended in June 2023 to September 2023 would be included in that calculation. We are looking for an informational flyer provided by Ultra Benefits to be forthcoming. Be sure and save all applicable receipts dating back to July 1, 2023. Contact information - https//ultrabenefits.com.
Invitation….
As President of the Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council, I personally invite you to attend the upcoming MVCLC and UML Labor Studies Educational Conference “Labor’s Resurgence”. It will be held on Saturday, February 10th at the Greater Lawrence Technical School, 57 River Road, Andover from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Please join us.
Paul Georges, President
United Teachers of Lowell, Local 495
February 7, 2024
To our Members:
The results of the Primary Day Preference Survey for March 5th as of this morning are as follows: 809 Responded.
60.69% or 491 chose: I prefer the school day for students AND staff to be cancelled and the day to be made up as required at the end of the school year.
39.31% or 318 chose: I prefer to have the day used as a PD day, during which a part of the day will be facilitated by administration and the remaining part of the day will be used at the discretion of educators. This PD would be paid per diem and would be considered the same as any other school day during the school year. The day would be added to the end of the school year.
This information was shared with Central Office. The School Committee will receive this information as well. The School Committee will consider the options for the March 5th, Primary Election Day at its meeting tonight. On the agenda, it is under New Business, item 8.1. The meeting will be on local Channel 6 for Lowell residents or ltc.org online.
Paul Georges
Mickie Dupont
Pina Maggio
February 6, 2024
To UTL Members,
Are you a teacher who missed out on being a participant in R+ (Retirement Plus) back in 2001 through no fault of your own?
If you live in MA, pick up the phone and call the MA Speaker of the House (Senator Ron Mariano)and tell him, or his legislative aide, to please provide a Fair Fix for R+! You can have your name added to the list of educators who are seeking the same opportunity as thousands of other educators! Please call by end of day on February 7th, 2024!
The number to the Speaker's Office is 617-722-2500. The call should take less than two minutes. Anyone can call to ask the Speaker to support the Fair Fix for R+!
A sample call would look like this: "Hello. My name is _______ and I live in _________. I'm calling to ask Sen. Mariano to please support the Fair Fix for R+. Thank you and have a nice day!"
If you need to refer to the specific bills, they are:
To access these sites, be sure to copy and paste the urls to your search bar.
([H.2483](https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H2483),
[S.1702](https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S1702),
[H.2630](https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H2630)).
If you haven't joined the Facebook Group “R+ Fix Statewide,” search it now and join so you will get updated information on these bills.
You can also, very quickly and easily, email your legislators, and Sen. Mariano, by using the link at the bottom of this AFTMA page: https://ma.aft.org/take-action/second-chance-retirement-plus.
Senator Ron Mariano's (Speaker of the House) email address is Ronald.Mariano@mahouse.gov. Let's flood his email and phone line tomorrow with hundreds of calls and emails!
Please act quickly because all of our educators should be allowed to participate in this opportunity. Let your/our legislators hear from you! Do it today!! Pass the word about this to colleagues!
Mickie Dumont
Pina Maggio
October 19, 2023
EDC Issues, Meeting of October 16th, 2023
1. New MA IEP and Classroom Teacher Responsibilities
The new MA IEP is supposed to be rolled out during the 2024-2025 school year. LPS has set no timeline for this yet and currently the ETC’s are running all meetings. Robin Desmond will get clarification as to who will be doing the actual inputting and of data on the new IEP’s. Please contact us if your school has already used, or is using, this new version for initial and re-evaluation IEP’s, and if so, who is being designated as the person responsible for uploading the data.
2. Attendance Reports
Good news! Teacher and Paraprofessional attendance reports have been sent out (interoffice mail) and the clerks should have them in the schools this week for these employees. Custodian and food service worker reports are being updated now and should be available soon. Evan McHugh from HR is the person who should be contacted to report any errors.
3. Payroll Issues
COO Jim Hall has announced that about 400 teachers should see lane changes and step movements in this week's pay period. Information will be forthcoming regarding the ones that were not included in this week's pay period.
Complaints have been filed by UTL regarding the change in pay schedule and deductions for certain employees. We will keep you posted on this.
4. ELL/Newcomer Placement
In a report from the October 4th School Committee meeting, the ELL student placement percentages for Zone 2 were reported in response to the projected migrant families arrival at the UMA Inn and Conference Center (not determined as yet). Placement of new ELL students in Zone 2 was selected due to the disruption any change in bus schedules would cause. Robin Desmond reported that new curriculum has been purchased and distributed, and ML (multi-language) teachers will be trained to better serve ML students. We urge teachers at all schools to keep us informed as to new ELL student placement at their schools: numbers and grade levels of students as well as levels of students.
5. Interpreter Applications
Jim Hall will send the Google Form Link to Para Chair Rose Bergeron for her to disseminate to all building para reps who, in turn, will share with their building paras. Interested paras should send applications to Sophie Keo, who has received 25-40 requests from paras who wish to be considered for interpreter positions. Latifah Philips reported that Central will provide training for different levels of involvement of the paras selected.
6. Elevator at Lowell High School
One sporadically working elevator at the high school shut down today, and it has created hardship for certain staff and students. The Coburn Hall elevator is just about repaired but hasn’t not yet been inspected. Int. Supt. Skinner met with Paul St. Cyr, and it is believed the elevator will be operational by the end of the week. The issue with the 1922 building elevator is that outdated parts are difficult to locate.
7 and 10. Transitional kindergarten reinstated; K and Pre-K Behavioral Issues
We used to have transitional kindergartens and transitional pre-k’s. Behaviors this year in ECE classes are significant. If a student arrives with a diagnosis from a doctor but does not have an IEP, the child must be placed in the general education classroom. Teachers/staff who are assaulted MUST file an incident report on every occasion. Reports must be sent to the principal who should follow the chain of command for reporting. Be sure to copy the UTL on every incident report. Please contact Staff Rep Mike Earle for all serious concerns at utl@utlowell.org
8. Pawtucketville Memorial School - Sharing air quality tests with staff
The school staff was assured that air quality testing would be done last week but, unfortunately, no one came to do it. Jim Hall announced that the testing is to be done regularly, and the company should be testing this week. Reports will be sent electronically to the principal, and the principal should then email the reports to staff.
9. Principals monitoring substitute effectiveness
Issues with any substitute not performing at a particular level should be reported to the principal in writing (email). It is then up to the principal to determine next steps. If the substitute returns and the issue remains, report again to the principal and copy to Deb Jarvis. Teachers have suggested to us that principals should make it a point to show up to classrooms with substitutes to see how it’s going, what can they do to help, etc., in order to have a pulse on how the substitutes manage within the classroom.
A Message for All Teachers who are Members of MTRS (MA Teachers Retirement System)
Dear MTRS Member,
You may have noticed discrepancies in your contributions and creditable service information within your MyTRS Member Self-Service (MSS) account. We want to assure you that your current contributions and creditable service data, as reported by your district, are securely recorded in our system. However, we validate all such information before posting it to the MSS portal, and this validation process has recently experienced a delay.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Immediate Deposits and Validation: Contributions from school districts are immediately deposited each month, and the associated member data is recorded in our system. However, before contributions and creditable service data can become visible in your MSS account, they undergo an additional validation process for every member within the district.
2. Validation Progress: As each report undergoes validation and potential corrections, the contributions associated with that report will be released into your specific account and made visible in the MSS portal. Delayed validation does not negatively impact the interest your account receives or the calculation of your retirement benefits.
3. Technological Updates: We recently completed a necessary and complex update to our system, significantly delaying the processing of deduction reports. We are actively working to resolve these delays.
4. Increased Staffing: To expedite the elimination of data validation backlogs, we are increasing staffing levels within our Employer Services Unit. We also collaborate closely with our school district employers to ensure a swift resolution.
We deeply apologize for any concern or inconvenience caused by the delayed processing. Your peace of mind is important to us, and we are committed to providing you with up-to-date information. We also want to assure you that if you need specific services related to your MTRS account, the validation delays will not inhibit applying for retirement or taking a refund, should you leave active service.
If you have any questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us via email atgeninfo@trb.state.ma.us<mailto:geninfo@trb.state.ma.us> or by phone at 617-679-6877.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work diligently to update your data.
Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System
Mickie Dumont
Pina Maggio
September 28, 2023
IMPORTANT PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS UPDATE:
The School Department, City Hall Officials, and UTL President Paul Georges are in continued discussions to resolve the Payroll Deductions issue (21 weeks/26 weeks). Notice of a resolution will be shared with you as it becomes available.
Dear UTL Members,
Regarding EDUCATION COMMITTEE TESTIMONY - H.495/S.246, please note:
The moment that many of us have been anxiously awaiting will occur next Wednesday, October 4th, at the MA State House in Boston. The “Joint Committee on Education” will be holding a hearing on multiple education bills including H.495 and S.246, “Thrive Act: An Act Empowering Students and Schools to Thrive.” They have also made two very important accommodations for educators, students, and staff to be able to attend/participate by (1), scheduling the hearing to begin at 2:00PM and end at 8:00PM, and, (2), allowing school personnel the opportunity to request a testimony time slot for after 4:00PM. Additionally, the hearing will also be live-streamed on the MA Legislature website for folks who might want to testify virtually!
Those who are unable to attend are urged to send written testimony to have their voices heard. Testimony may be sent to:
Denise.Garlick@mahouse.gov and Jason.Lewis@masenate.gov
Please write in the subject line of the email: EDUCATION COMMITTEE TESTIMONY-H.495/S.246.
SAVE THE DATE!! OCTOBER 4TH, 2023!
Finally!! A chance for educators, parents, students, community members to speak out about the harmful effects of state takeovers and the high stakes use of the MCAS standardized test results.
Basically, the Thrive Act bill is designed to "equip local communities communities with the tools and resources that students and schools need to exceed and dramatically reduce the harm caused by the high stakes punitive use of standardized tests, such as state takeovers and denying students a high school diploma.”
The Thrive Act has three main components:
It would end the state receivership policy.
It would end the MCAS graduation requirement. Instead, districts would certify students have mastered the skills, competencies and knowledge of state standards.
It would establish a commission to create a new system of assessing students and schools, building on work already happening in Massachusetts and nationally.
Please visit the AFTMA site below to learn more about the bill and also how YOU can help to support both the THRIVE ACT bill and the MCAS Ballot Initiative which would end the MCAS graduation requirement. More to follow!
http://ma.aft.org/news/ThriveHearing
Lowell Education Justice Alliance (LEJA)
MA Education Justice Alliance (MEJA)
United Teachers of Lowell has been an active partner through the years with Lowell Education Justice Alliance (LEJA) and MA Education Justice Alliance (MEJA). Together we have worked on several initiatives including:
2016 “No on 2” ballot question;
Student Opportunity Act;
Fair Share Amendment;
successfully securing a vote by the School Committee in 2018 to increase the amount of recess time at the elementary and middle school levels
At present, we are working closely with the LEJA group (parents, teachers, paraprofessionals, school staff, and community members) in support of the Thrive Act and also the MCAS Ballot Initiative.
In addition to encouraging our school community members to attend the Legislative Hearing next Wednesday, we are also setting up Thrive Act Literature and Ballot Initiative Signature Sheets at various local community events. In order for the MCAS Ballot Initiative to be on the November 2024 Election Ballot for MA Voters, we need to gather 75,000 signatures.
We need your help! Please contact us at 978-937-9039 for more information or if you would be able to help out at one of these local events! (Dates, times, and locations to be announced.)
Below are some helpful resources created by the MEJA group for our active Coalition. You are welcome to use whatever resources may be helpful to you in talking with others and also in creating your personal testimony to send to the Legislature.
LEJA will continue with planning for an October 25th “Thrive Act Forum” which will be open to the public at the Lowell High School Cafeteria from 6:00-8:00PM. Further details on this event will be forthcoming.
Mickie Dumont
Pina Maggio
GET ACTIVE: PAYROLL ISSUES, DEDUCTIONS, ETC.
September 24, 2023
To the UTL Members:
Paul Georges and Mike Earle have been delving into the rationale and legality of the decision to target a specific time period in which certain deductions would be made, i.e. over 21 paychecks rather than 26 paychecks, as has been past practice. So that you know, the paychecks used to have notification of UTL 42 and UTL 52 to denote being paid 42 weeks or paid 52 weeks. Because we are now on a biweekly schedule, the notation has been changed to UTL 21 and UTL 26.
We will be having discussions with City Manager Tom Golden and Interim Superintendent Liam Skinner some tomorrow with regard to the payroll changes that have been made. We are working with AFT (Boston) and its legal advisory as well. No further information will be forthcoming until the matter has been resolved among the Lowell Public School District, City Hall, and the UTL.
Furthermore, we are not in a position to declare step increases, lane changes, the $2,500 increase in base salary, etc., will be reflected in a specific pay check. (Note: The $2,500 increase in base pay will be distributed evenly within the 21-week pay period or the 26-week pay period.) While we have been told the target date for these payroll adjustments is 10/5/23, there is no guarantee all of these will be reflected at that time. We remain cautiously optimistic. Assurances can be made that everyone will ultimately be made whole retroactively.
Mickie Dumont
Pina Maggio
July 3, 2023
To all UTL members,
Urgent UPDATE to all teachers with regard to anyone who missed the opportunity to enroll in Retirement Plus when it was originally rolled out prior to July 1st, 2001!
The following comments were made by AFTMA President Beth Kontos, at the Thursday, June 29th, legislative hearing at the State House before the Joint Committee on Public Service:
“AFTMA supports S.1702/H.2483, An Act relative to teacher retirement election, and H.2630, An Act relative to benefits for teachers, and urges the Public Service Committee to give them a favorable report.
The three bills, S.1702/H.2483, and H.2630, provide for a reopening of the enrollment to participate in the alternative superannuation retirement benefit program, a.k.a. Retirement Plus (R+) administered for the Commonwealth’s teachers by the MA Teachers Retirement System (MTRS).
Back in the original Retirement Plus election window prior to July 1, 2001, there was a great deal of confusion among teachers who thought they had been enrolled in the program but came to find out years later that in fact they were not. Moreover, when they learned they were not in R+, they could not be enrolled because the window for enrollment had closed. You will hear this testimony directly from teachers as part of the hearing. However this misunderstanding developed, it’s time to correct it and give these teachers the retirement security and dignity they deserve!”
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H2483. ~ House Bill, Rodney Elliott and Vanna Howard have cosponsored. We need to thank them and send email request to cosponsor to Rady Mom and Colleen Garry, both of whom have not signed on yet. If you live outside Lowell and Dracut, be sure to email your Representative. Seventy-four out of 160 reps have signed on. Find the bill links below to see if your rep or senator have signed on yet! When you open the bill link, open the tab that says “Petitioners” to look for your legislators.
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S1702/Cosponsor Senator Ed Kennedy has not signed to cosponsor yet. Only 16 out of 40 senators have signed on. Email Sen Kennedy and/or your senator to ask that they cosponsor this bill.
https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J23/193 senators and representatives who are on the “Joint Committee on Public Service.” You want to email these folks to encourage them to move these bills forward favorably.
https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator Find your legislator through this link. You just need to type in your address and zip code and the link will bring you to your rep.
Urgent second UPDATE to all UTL (and all public) retirees
All UTL retirees from all units and all members who will one day be retired should contact their State Representative and State Senator and ask them to cosponsor House Bill 2505 and Senate Bill 1638 as these bills (An act to provide fair and affordable public retiree benefits) would provide a COLA (cost-of-living adjustment) increase from $13,000 to $18,000. In the Lowell delegation, only Reps. Rodney Elliott and Vanna Howard have signed on thus far. Constituents need to contact Rep. Rady Mom and Senator Ed Kennedy to ask them to also sign on to support these bills and other initiatives to improve MA public retiree benefits, including S.1629, H.2427, and H.2486. All written testimony, your personal story, must be sent by this Thursday! If you are not a Lowell resident, you can use this link to find your legislator; if your legislator has signed on, send a thank you note which will definitely be appreciated:
https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator
Here are the House and Senate Bills for “An Act to Provide Fair and Affordable Retiree Benefits. Rodney Elliott, Vanna Howard, and Dracut’s Colleen Garry have signed on. Please email them to thank them. Rep. Ready Mom has not yet signed on. If you’re in his district, please make contact with him to ask him to cosponsor this bill. Others outside of Lowell and Dracut (for reps) please find your legislator and ask him/her to cosponsor. Be sure to state the bill number! For the Senate Bill1638, First Middlesex Senator Ed Kennedy has cosponsored. Please look through the list to see if YOUR senator has signed on!
House Bill:
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H2505/Cosponsor
Senate Bill:
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S1638/Cosponsor
Please share this information with all the retirees you know!
Mickie Dumont
Pina Maggio
November 5th, 2023
Dear UTL Members,
As a long time tradition in the City of Lowell, the United Teachers of Lowell and the Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council collaborate with one another to interview political candidates vying for elected positions on the City Council and the School Committee.
Interested candidates seek an endorsement/recommendation by the groups to be interviewed and voted upon by delegates from both groups. Our members appreciate and look forward to the recommendations and endorsements that result from these interviews as they know we are committed to ensuring that the candidates who best support our issues are elected to these positions. (Note: Not all candidates requested an endorsement or recommendation. The following lists include the names of only those who requested to be considered.)
The Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council, which represents thousands of workers in the Merrimack Valley, including the UTL, has proudly endorsed the following candidates for elected office:
Lowell City Council Lowell School Committee
Rita Mercier, At large Stacey Thompson, District 1
Eric Gitschier, At large Eileen DelRossi, District 2
Corey Robinson, District 2 Dave Conway, District 3
Kim Scott, District 5 Dominic Lay, District 5
Sokhary Chau, District 6
John Descoteaux, District 8
The UTL (United Teachers of Lowell) does not endorse candidates but we do recommend candidates for office based on interviews and performance. The UTL Executive Board recommends the same names as above with the exception of the Lowell School Committee, District 1: The candidates for SC District 1, namely, Stacey Thompson and Fred Bahou, received a split, or a tie vote, for that position, from the Executive Board.
As always, these are only recommendations based on what we know of candidates and how they responded to questions regarding our issues during an interview.
Remember to get out and vote on Tuesday, November 7th, 2023!
UTL Executive Board
October 19, 2023
EDC Issues, Meeting of October 16th, 2023
1. New MA IEP and Classroom Teacher Responsibilities
The new MA IEP is supposed to be rolled out during the 2024-2025 school year. LPS has set no timeline for this yet and currently the ETC’s are running all meetings. Robin Desmond will get clarification as to who will be doing the actual inputting and of data on the new IEP’s. Please contact us if your school has already used, or is using, this new version for initial and re-evaluation IEP’s, and if so, who is being designated as the person responsible for uploading the data.
2. Attendance Reports
Good news! Teacher and Paraprofessional attendance reports have been sent out (interoffice mail) and the clerks should have them in the schools this week for these employees. Custodian and food service worker reports are being updated now and should be available soon. Evan McHugh from HR is the person who should be contacted to report any errors.
3. Payroll Issues
COO Jim Hall has announced that about 400 teachers should see lane changes and step movements in this week's pay period. Information will be forthcoming regarding the ones that were not included in this week's pay period.
Complaints have been filed by UTL regarding the change in pay schedule and deductions for certain employees. We will keep you posted on this.
4. ELL/Newcomer Placement
In a report from the October 4th School Committee meeting, the ELL student placement percentages for Zone 2 were reported in response to the projected migrant families arrival at the UMA Inn and Conference Center (not determined as yet). Placement of new ELL students in Zone 2 was selected due to the disruption any change in bus schedules would cause. Robin Desmond reported that new curriculum has been purchased and distributed, and ML (multi-language) teachers will be trained to better serve ML students. We urge teachers at all schools to keep us informed as to new ELL student placement at their schools: numbers and grade levels of students as well as levels of students.
5. Interpreter Applications
Jim Hall will send the Google Form Link to Para Chair Rose Bergeron for her to disseminate to all building para reps who, in turn, will share with their building paras. Interested paras should send applications to Sophie Keo, who has received 25-40 requests from paras who wish to be considered for interpreter positions. Latifah Philips reported that Central will provide training for different levels of involvement of the paras selected.
6. Elevator at Lowell High School
One sporadically working elevator at the high school shut down today, and it has created hardship for certain staff and students. The Coburn Hall elevator is just about repaired but hasn’t not yet been inspected. Int. Supt. Skinner met with Paul St. Cyr, and it is believed the elevator will be operational by the end of the week. The issue with the 1922 building elevator is that outdated parts are difficult to locate.
7 and 10. Transitional kindergarten reinstated; K and Pre-K Behavioral Issues
We used to have transitional kindergartens and transitional pre-k’s. Behaviors this year in ECE classes are significant. If a student arrives with a diagnosis from a doctor but does not have an IEP, the child must be placed in the general education classroom. Teachers/staff who are assaulted MUST file an incident report on every occasion. Reports must be sent to the principal who should follow the chain of command for reporting. Be sure to copy the UTL on every incident report. Please contact Staff Rep Mike Earle for all serious concerns at utl@utlowell.org
8. Pawtucketville Memorial School - Sharing air quality tests with staff
The school staff was assured that air quality testing would be done last week but, unfortunately, no one came to do it. Jim Hall announced that the testing is to be done regularly, and the company should be testing this week. Reports will be sent electronically to the principal, and the principal should then email the reports to staff.
9. Principals monitoring substitute effectiveness
Issues with any substitute not performing at a particular level should be reported to the principal in writing (email). It is then up to the principal to determine next steps. If the substitute returns and the issue remains, report again to the principal and copy to Deb Jarvis. Teachers have suggested to us that principals should make it a point to show up to classrooms with substitutes to see how it’s going, what can they do to help, etc., in order to have a pulse on how the substitutes manage within the classroom.
A Message for All Teachers who are Members of MTRS (MA Teachers Retirement System)
Dear MTRS Member,
You may have noticed discrepancies in your contributions and creditable service information within your MyTRS Member Self-Service (MSS) account. We want to assure you that your current contributions and creditable service data, as reported by your district, are securely recorded in our system. However, we validate all such information before posting it to the MSS portal, and this validation process has recently experienced a delay.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Immediate Deposits and Validation: Contributions from school districts are immediately deposited each month, and the associated member data is recorded in our system. However, before contributions and creditable service data can become visible in your MSS account, they undergo an additional validation process for every member within the district.
2. Validation Progress: As each report undergoes validation and potential corrections, the contributions associated with that report will be released into your specific account and made visible in the MSS portal. Delayed validation does not negatively impact the interest your account receives or the calculation of your retirement benefits.
3. Technological Updates: We recently completed a necessary and complex update to our system, significantly delaying the processing of deduction reports. We are actively working to resolve these delays.
4. Increased Staffing: To expedite the elimination of data validation backlogs, we are increasing staffing levels within our Employer Services Unit. We also collaborate closely with our school district employers to ensure a swift resolution.
We deeply apologize for any concern or inconvenience caused by the delayed processing. Your peace of mind is important to us, and we are committed to providing you with up-to-date information. We also want to assure you that if you need specific services related to your MTRS account, the validation delays will not inhibit applying for retirement or taking a refund, should you leave active service.
If you have any questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us via email atgeninfo@trb.state.ma.usgeninfo@trb.state.ma.us> or by phone at 617-679-6877.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work diligently to update your data.
Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System
Mickie Dumont
Pina Maggio
September 28, 2023
IMPORTANT PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS UPDATE:
The School Department, City Hall Officials, and UTL President Paul Georges are in continued discussions to resolve the Payroll Deductions issue (21 weeks/26 weeks). Notice of a resolution will be shared with you as it becomes available.
Dear UTL Members,
Regarding EDUCATION COMMITTEE TESTIMONY - H.495/S.246, please note:
The moment that many of us have been anxiously awaiting will occur next Wednesday, October 4th, at the MA State House in Boston. The “Joint Committee on Education” will be holding a hearing on multiple education bills including H.495 and S.246, “Thrive Act: An Act Empowering Students and Schools to Thrive.” They have also made two very important accommodations for educators, students, and staff to be able to attend/participate by (1), scheduling the hearing to begin at 2:00PM and end at 8:00PM, and, (2), allowing school personnel the opportunity to request a testimony time slot for after 4:00PM. Additionally, the hearing will also be live-streamed on the MA Legislature website for folks who might want to testify virtually!
Those who are unable to attend are urged to send written testimony to have their voices heard. Testimony may be sent to:
Denise.Garlick@mahouse.gov and Jason.Lewis@masenate.gov
Please write in the subject line of the email: EDUCATION COMMITTEE TESTIMONY-H.495/S.246.
SAVE THE DATE!! OCTOBER 4TH, 2023!
Finally!! A chance for educators, parents, students, community members to speak out about the harmful effects of state takeovers and the high stakes use of the MCAS standardized test results.
Basically, the Thrive Act bill is designed to "equip local communities communities with the tools and resources that students and schools need to exceed and dramatically reduce the harm caused by the high stakes punitive use of standardized tests, such as state takeovers and denying students a high school diploma.”
The Thrive Act has three main components:
It would end the state receivership policy.
It would end the MCAS graduation requirement. Instead, districts would certify students have mastered the skills, competencies and knowledge of state standards.
It would establish a commission to create a new system of assessing students and schools, building on work already happening in Massachusetts and nationally.
Please visit the AFTMA site below to learn more about the bill and also how YOU can help to support both the THRIVE ACT bill and the MCAS Ballot Initiative which would end the MCAS graduation requirement. More to follow!
http://ma.aft.org/news/ThriveHearing
Lowell Education Justice Alliance (LEJA)
MA Education Justice Alliance (MEJA)
United Teachers of Lowell has been an active partner through the years with Lowell Education Justice Alliance (LEJA) and MA Education Justice Alliance (MEJA). Together we have worked on several initiatives including:
2016 “No on 2” ballot question;
Student Opportunity Act;
Fair Share Amendment;
successfully securing a vote by the School Committee in 2018 to increase the amount of recess time at the elementary and middle school levels
At present, we are working closely with the LEJA group (parents, teachers, paraprofessionals, school staff, and community members) in support of the Thrive Act and also the MCAS Ballot Initiative.
In addition to encouraging our school community members to attend the Legislative Hearing next Wednesday, we are also setting up Thrive Act Literature and Ballot Initiative Signature Sheets at various local community events. In order for the MCAS Ballot Initiative to be on the November 2024 Election Ballot for MA Voters, we need to gather 75,000 signatures.
We need your help! Please contact us at 978-937-9039 for more information or if you would be able to help out at one of these local events! (Dates, times, and locations to be announced.)
Below are some helpful resources created by the MEJA group for our active Coalition. You are welcome to use whatever resources may be helpful to you in talking with others and also in creating your personal testimony to send to the Legislature.
LEJA will continue with planning for an October 25th “Thrive Act Forum” which will be open to the public at the Lowell High School Cafeteria from 6:00-8:00PM. Further details on this event will be forthcoming.
Mickie Dumont
Pina Maggio
September 24, 2023
To the UTL Members:
Paul Georges and Mike Earl have been delving into the rationale and legality of the decision to target a specific time period in which certain deductions would be made, i.e. over 21 paychecks rather than 26 paychecks, as has been past practice. So that you know, the paychecks used to have notification of UTL 42 and UTL 52 to denote being paid 42 weeks or paid 52 weeks. Because we are now on a biweekly schedule, the notation has been changed to UTL 21 and UTL 26.
We will be having discussions with City Manager Tom Golden and Interim Superintendent Liam Skinner some tomorrow with regard to the payroll changes that have been made. We are working with AFT (Boston) and its legal advisory as well. No further information will be forthcoming until the matter has been resolved among the Lowell Public School District, City Hall, and the UTL.
Furthermore, we are not in a position to declare step increases, lane changes, the $2,500 increase in base salary, etc., will be reflected in a specific paycheck. (Note: The $2,500 increase in base pay will be distributed evenly within the 21-week pay period or the 26-week pay period.) While we have been told the target date for these payroll adjustments is 10/5/23, there is no guarantee all of these will be reflected at that time. We remain cautiously optimistic. Assurances can be made that everyone will ultimately be made whole retroactively.
Mickie Dumont
Pina Maggio
September 7, 2023
Where is the Union? How often have we heard that question? We have heard it often in the past. We heard it yesterday.
Where is the Union? Call 978-937-9039, and you most likely will hear a warm and friendly voice on the other end. A voice which is calm, patient, and kind; one which offers assistance and reassurance your phone call is important. That would be the voice of Nancy Giblin, a.k.a. the heart and soul of the UTL.
Or you may hear the sophisticated voice of the individual whom we refer to as a “gentleman’s gentleman,” the guru of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, articulate, unassuming, yet powerfully persuasive. That gentleman would be Mike Earle.
You may hear the voice of our on call, always at the ready (24/7), Mickie Dumont. On days, nights, weekends, and holidays, Mickie is there to listen, take copious notes, and embark on a mission to take care of whatever issue one is raising. She has been addressing issues brought before her for over 30 years!!!
No time to make a phone call? Email your building reps, UTL Vice Principals, Susan Uvanni, Barbara Campbell, Mary Ann Dyson, UTL Para Chair Rose Bergeron, Custodial Chair Mike Sheehan, and Cafeteria Chair Colleen Dorris, all of whom will make themselves available to address your issues. And, of course, there many more, Recording Secretary Diane MacLean, Social Chair, Lisa Rowsell and our Treasurer, Kevin Freeman, will extend a helping hand. And you can count on myself, Executive Vice President of the UTL, as well.
Where is the Union? Perhaps just a phone call, text message or email away.
Where is Paul? We cannot account for where he is on any given day, week, etc. We do know the week before Labor Day weekend, when news reports predicted dangerously high temperatures for the coming week, Paul was in constant communication with Central Office and with Interim Superintendent Liam Skinner, acting proactively by recommending two plans be considered. These conversations continued throughout the weekend (when many were at the beaches, attending barbecues, shopping, etc.) and into the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Communication and collaboration on this matter concluded with the announcement yesterday by Interim Superintendent Liam Skinner there would be no school on Thursday or Friday. This decision was made collaboratively between UTL (Paul Georges) and Interim Superintendent Liam Skinner. We thank Interim Superintendent Liam Skinner for this opportunity to collaborate..
Where is the Union? It is often in the shadows, barely visible at times. Nevertheless, it has a commanding presence. Rest assured; It is always there. Its mission is to preserve members' rights, protect them from harm, and be a constant in an ever-changing world.
Unity is strength, the strength that empowers one another. Without it, we become weak, potentially divided. We are grateful to the UTL members who steadfastly support one another, who remain loyal and dedicated to the ideals we hold and strive to maintain. We are indeed UTL STRONG because of you.
Pina Maggio
Executive Vice President, United Teachers of Lowell 495
September 6, 2023
To UTL members:
Before the week began, our President, Paul Georges, was in contact with Central Office and the Superintendent, regarding the forecast for above-normal high temperatures for this time of year. Paul has been collaborating close to 24/7 to ensure the well being and comfort of the UTL members, staff and students.
We have made our recommendations and await a final decision. As soon as we are informed, we shall share that information with you.
Rest assured: The UTL leaves no stone unturned in supporting our members. Obviously, we cannot discuss the details surrounding the issues until a final decision is reached. We have been involved before the school week began, and we will continue until a decision is made.
Note: UTL members have personally contacted the Superintendent to express their grave concerns about rising temperatures in the schools. We would urge any member to do the same. Remember that an email can be sent at any time of day. Advocating for yourself, your students, and your colleagues can be highly instrumental in achieving anticipated actions that may alleviate these unprecedented health challenges faced by our school communities.UTL
UTL Executive Board
Biweekly Pay Update
November 5, 2022
To the UTL Members:
During the last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to speak with City Manager Tom Golden about his plan to implement a biweekly pay schedule at the beginning of the new year, January 1, 2023. I attempted to convince him to delay implementing that change until the end of the fiscal year, specifically June 30th, 2023. He explained the large number of pay options exercised within the School Department payroll has created much difficulty in the auditor’s office in processing the various options available.
City Manager Golden offered the opportunity to defer this change to biweekly schedule to the end of the fiscal year if all UTL members were to agree to take a lump sum at the end of the school year to cover the summer break. After discussion, it has been determined this plan would seriously impact contract language that allows our members the choice of either collecting a lump sum or receiving periodic payments through the summer. I informed City Manager Golden of our decision that we will not put our members in a position of having to take a lump sum to defer a change to a biweekly pay schedule.
Furthermore, we have encouraged him to reconsider the decision to implement the biweekly option in January of 2023, as it has the potential of creating financial difficulties for a large number of school department and city employees.
At this point, I would advise if you feel strongly that this change will be creating significant difficulties for you that you reach out to any city councilor and ask for his/her intervention in getting the City Manager to postpone these changes until the end of the fiscal year.
For access to councilors' individually or as a group, see link below:
https://www.lowellma.gov/FormCenter/Contact-the-City-Council-5/City-Council-Contact-Form-45
We’ll keep you updated on this issue.
Paul
AFTMA Candidate Endorsements
November 3, 2022
To UTL Members:
November is here and we will be going to the polls next week to elect various candidates. For those U.T.L. members who vote in the Merrimack Valley, I am sharing a list of those candidates who have received the AFT Massachusetts 2022 endorsement.
Federal office:
Congresswoman Lori Trahan
Statewide Office:
Maura Healey for Governor
William Galvin for Secretary of State
Diana DiZoglio for Auditor
Deb Goldberg for Treasurer
State Representative (House of Massachusetts):
Simon Cataldo
Rodney Elliott
Teresa English
Ken Gordon
Ryan Hamilton
David Robertson
Dawn Shande
Thank you for your consideration.
Best regards,
Paul
Biweekly Pay Notification
Dear Members,
Several weeks ago, the UTL was notified through the office of Jim Hall, Chief Operating Officer, for the Lowell School Department, that the City was contemplating the move from weekly pay to biweekly pay (every two weeks). The UTL and most City unions had agreed to this arrangement some six years ago. However, it was not implemented at that time because some unions had not agreed to it, and it was necessary to get the approval of all unions to implement this change. Subsequently, after confirming that all city and School Department unions had agreed to this change, we expressed our concerns over initiating such a change at this time.
After receiving further documentation from the City concerning implication of this plan, the UTL became increasingly concerned the implementation of this change for January 1, 2023 could create an extreme hardship for many of our members. This resulted in an extensive conversation between myself and City Manager Tom Golden on Friday, October 21st in the hopes of persuading him from having this change implemented with the first check in January until the fiscal year ends on June 30, 2023. As a result of that discussion, a letter was sent to the City Manager on Tuesday October 25th, (copy of which is reproduced below), officially requesting that he postpone implementation of this change until the end of the fiscal year. We have not received a response to that letter to date. In the meantime, we request that you speak to as many City Councilors as possible explaining the difficulty that it creates to eliminate the first weekly paycheck of January 4 as outlined in our letter to the City Manager. We will keep you informed regarding this matter as additional information is received.
Thank you.
Paul Georges
Letter dated 10/25/2022 to City Manager Tom Golden:
"Thank you for having a thorough discussion with me about the contemplated shift to biweekly pay for all City of Lowell employees scheduled to take effect the first week of January 2023. As a result of that conversation, I would like to officially request that the city defer changing to biweekly payment until the end of June 2023. As I have explained, I believe that it will create an extreme hardship for those School Department employees and some city employees who will find deferring weekly pay to a biweekly schedule extremely difficult. Many such employees live week-to-week and the schedule presented for transition would mean that employees would not receive a paycheck on Thursday, January 5 which is precisely after the expensive December holidays.
Also, to be considered, is that this is when all employees are expected to experience a projected significant increase in the cost of living as energy costs are anticipated to spike because of global shortages. This will result in extreme hardship for these employees and their families. For this reason and others that we had discussed, I want to formally request that the City of Lowell defer the transition to biweekly pay until the end of the fiscal year, when the cost of energy is expected to decrease considerably, and employees are better prepared to make that adjustment."
Paul
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United Teachers of Lowell 495, 169 Merrimack Street, 4th Floor, Lowell, MA. 01852, United States978-937-9039utl@utlowell495.org
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