Lobby Day 2009 at AFT Local 943

By Karen Kendall

Since moving into our Orland location we have wondered how many members it could hold. Because we have such involved teachers and support staff we now know it can “almost” hold 250 members.

We really need to send a huge thank you out to Senators Maloney and Viverito and Representatives Joyce and Riley for coming and answering our questions. The budget process is ongoing and they do not have all the answers but they showed up and shared what they do know. Currently everything in on the table

They also listened to our concerns such as:

• We need to fix school funding by voting for broad based sustainable revenue increases.
  
• Pension holidays are not acceptable.
  
• Increasing TRS contributions by two percent = a two percent pay cut with no change in existing benefits.
  
• Equal pay for equal work. We do not want to work along side someone that will be getting a different lower benefit in a two tiered system.
  
• We also support Senate bill 123 that allows a full time tenured teacher to have a two year probationary period rather than four years when changing school districts.

Thank you to everyone that showed up. The legislators were clearly awed by the cars up and down the street, the standing room only crowd and the unity of the group.

  AFT Local 943
  15521 South 70th Court
  Orland Park, Illinois 60462
  (708) 633-0943
  (708) 633-0944 (Fax)

  Kathy Setlak, president

  IFT Field Staff