WEAC Union Forward Committee

In April, the WEAC RA passed a new business item regarding the Union Forward Committee's work and outreach with the membership. Outreach forums were held in 10 cities throughout the state in August. In addition to these forums, the Committee created an online survey to gather input.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/UnionForward

You may provide input to guide the future of our union by responding to this survey. The survey will be accessible through the month of August.

WEAC is planning a special RA in December to review the recommended plan(s) based on the feedback from the August regional meetings and the survey responses.

The information regarding this opportunity for members to offer input via the survey will be shared with local presidents. Please feel free to share this information with your colleagues.

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Union Forward

1. Name

2. My role is

My role is Higher Ed Faculty
Higher Ed ESP/PSRP
PK-12 ESP/PSRP
PK-12 Teacher
Union Professional Staff
Union Associate Staff
Student Member
Retired Member

3. I am currently a dues-paying member of WEAC

Yes
No

4. Home Email Address

5. Home or Cell Phone Number

6. Age

Age Under 25
25-35
36-45
46-55
Over 55

7. How long have you been working in public education?

Less than 5 years
5 to 9 years
10 to 14 years
15 to 19 years
20 to 24 years
25 or more years

8. Do you hold an elected or voluntary leadership role in the state organization or in your UniServ or local association?

Yes
No

9. How would you rate your knowledge and familiarity with our union?

+I am very familiar with the decisions and actions of our union.
+I am somewhat familiar with decisions and actions of our union.
+I have a vague understanding of the decisions and actions of our union.
+I really don't pay attention to our union's decisions and actions.

Following are five areas the Union Forward Committee identified as core areas of union work for the future. Please react to each of the five areas as the degree to which you believe this should be an essential focus of the union. In each area, if you have specific ideas related to how this work can be done, please add them. You can provide additional comments about other areas you would like the committee to consider at the end.

10. We must be one with the community through leadership development and involvement in all levels of the union and the broader community.

Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

Comments or Specific Ideas

11. We must direct and strengthen our union around a defined set of values connected to social justice and grassroots activism.

Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

Comments or Specific Ideas

12. We must create community support and engage in advocacy for public education through political action and public relations.

Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

Comments or Specific Ideas

13. We must be the vehicle that advances the profession, empowering all educational entities to strive for collaboration and high professional standards.

Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

Comments or Specific Ideas

14. We must work to achieve quality wages, benefits and working conditions for all members.

Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

Comments or Specific Ideas

15. Is there another core focus area you believe should be considered? Please comment:

16. Please tell us which of the core areas of work is most important to you (choose only 2):

+We must be one with the community through leadership development and involvement in all levels of the union and the broader community.

+We must direct and strengthen our union around a defined set of values connected to social justice and grassroots activism.

+We must create community support and engage in advocacy for public education through political action and public relations.

+We must be the vehicle that advances the profession, empowering all educational entities to strive for collaboration and high professional standards.

+We must work to achieve quality wages, benefits, and working conditions for all members.

17. Related to the core areas, what requests, concerns or ideas do you want this committee to consider?

18. Can we call you to clarify some of your comments and ask you to share more perspective?

No
Yes

Phone Number

Some union officers didn't sign recall petitions

I took a moment to pass some union officer names through the recall database. Who is on your side?

Do they really expect us to be PROUD members of this organization when they set such a fine example for response and action?

WEAC Blue

Suzanne Britz - No
David Campshure - No
Kim Plaunt - Yes
Richard Engel - Yes
Kathy Rohde - Yes
Susan Clauss - Yes
Robin Kinn - No
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Peggy Smits - No
Beverly Schacht - No
John Stommen - No
Michael Kaczmarzinski - Yes
Russel Johnson - Yes
Steve Thomson - No
Kathryn Taylor - No
Sarah Bauman - Yes
Neva Paque - Yes
Shirley Forrest - Yes
David Kundin - No
Richard Engel - Yes
James Blank - Yes
Dean DeBroux - Yes
Kay Hansen - No
Connie Martin - Yes
Clayton Smits - No

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AFSCME Council 40

Randy Etten - No
Mark Delorme - Yes
David Dorn - Yes
Mary Scoon - Yes
John Spiegelhoff - Yes
Jerry LaPoint - Yes
Anneliese Sheahan - Yes
Edward Lambert - Yes
Anna Brown - Yes
Julie Allen - Yes
Lori Kief - Yes
James Garity - Yes
Nancy Anderson - Yes
Keith Jamieson - Yes
Richard Badger - Yes
Joseph Guzynski - Yes
Mary Scoon - Yes


Do as we say, not as we do.. Always a great leadership concept!

TEACHER: SHAME ON WEAC

An all to familiar WEAC response...

From: http://www.620wtmj.com/blogs/charliesykes/45184837.html

Email from an unhappy member of the teachers union:

Mr. Sykes-

I first want to thank you for spending time on the air to discuss what has been going on with the virtual school. I actually called in the day of the rally in Madison and spoke with you.

I am a WEAC member and a teacher for iQ Academy. iQ currently serves about 750 full and part-time students all over WI. Although not all of the students have been successful in the virtual setting, many succeed when they couldn't in a brick and mortar school.

Because of Doyle's plan, I am truly concerned for our future. I am disappointed with my union. As a dues paying member of WEAC, I wanted to share with you what happened today. I called Mary Bell, WEAC's president. I asked why WEAC was trying to shut us down and not support many of its members.

Admittedly, I was angry on the phone. She kept repeating that I was "misinformed". She told me it was not WEAC's intent to close us down. When I told her Doyle changed his mind at the last minute because of pressure from WEAC, she went on to say he never said he'd agree to the bipartisan bill.

She did not like my tone, and told me she had an appointment. She did not offer to schedule another time to speak to me, and in fact, she hung up the phone on me! I didn't swear (although I said crap and wish I hadn't), but who wouldn't be angry when the organization designed to protect me is trying to put me out of a job? Mary Bell couldn't handle the pressure of our conversation and she couldn't answer my questions. If I can't air my concerns with my union president, who can I turn to?

I urged the other teachers of iQ to give her a call. Many did, but her secretary stated she was not available. I then sent her an email stating that I'd love to meet with her and discuss this further. Of course, she hasn't replied. I will continue to contact her, even if it means driving to Madison.

I appreciate all of the airtime you have given to the virtual schools lately. If you have anytime to bring this up in the future, please feel free to share any of the content of this email.

Sincerely,

Amy Rosno

WEAC member and English teacher iQ Academy