Proposed 2009-2010 MDCPS Calendars

UTD, through its committee, developed a proposed calendar for the 2009-2010 school year. Please click the title bar above to see the calendars and click here for other information.

Ratification of Insurance

The date has been set for the ratification vote on the 2008 Health Insurance packet.  UTD bargaining unit members are scheduled to vote at their worksites on Tuesday, May 6 and Wednesday, May 7, 2008. 

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Deferred Pay Plan

UTD is seeking input from its members who are 10 month employees regarding the "Deferred Payment Plan." According to UTD, many members have expressed concerns that their deferred pay plan did not carry them through the entire summer. After negotiations with district administrators, it is now possible to make adjustments to the deferral amount and to the number of checks, but only on a uniform basis.

Please click on survey.

Health Insurance Resolved

Dade school employees spared higher insurance bills

Source: Miami Herald

In surprise fashion, the Miami-Dade School Board announced late Wednesday that it would cover all increases to the cost of employee health insurance through December 2008.

''The School Board listened to us,'' United Teachers of Dade President Karen Aronowitz said. ``They understood the pressure that everyone is facing. They knew that our teachers had to be the priority.''

The announcement put an end to a bitter fight that has raged since November.

Union Rejects Magistrate's Recommendation on Health Insurance

Source: UTD

UTD President Karen Aronowitz officially rejected the recommendation handed down by Special Magistrate Mark Lurie. “We will never pit teacher against teacher in a plan that does not protect everyone,” Aronowitz said.

The magistrate's recommendation identified a group he called First Decade Teachers as the most vulnerable to the District's proposed offer and identified what changes could be made to help these teachers.

The magistrate’s recommendation included:

- "First Decade Teachers" receive flex dollars eliminated under the School Board's plan;

- "First Decade Teachers" do not pay the 13.1 percent increase for dependent care coverage;

Full Article

Magistrate Ruling On Insurance

Posted on Monday, Mar. 31, 2008

5:23p

Source: Miami Herald

Split health costs, schools, teachers told

By KATHLEEN McGRORY

A special magistrate recommended Monday that teachers and the Miami-Dade school district share the increased cost of health insurance -- but cautioned school system officials against depriving teachers of ``financial oxygen.

''Special master Mark Lurie's suggestion: Teachers in the first decade of their careers who choose either the neighborhood health plan or the HMO the shouldn't have to pay for their employee or dependent coverage. They should also be given ''flex dollars,'' small monthly subsidies to help offset the cost of coverage. But, Lurie suggested, employees electing the most comprehensive plan, a point-of-service plan, should pay a portion of the premium, both for themselves and their dependents.


Read More... <http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/477660.html>

Healthcare Issue Goes To Magistrate

Battle Over Teachers Healthcare Goes To Magistrate


CBS 4 - Miami,FL,USA

MIAMI (CBS4) -- A Special Magistrate hears from the United Teachers of Dade and Miami-Dade County Public Schools during a Health Insurance impasse hearing on ...

<http://cbs4.com/local/miami.dade.teachers.2.677014.html>

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UTD Bargaining Unit to vote on 2008 Health Insurance

UTD Bargaining Unit to vote on 2008 Health Insurance
Ratification vote for the 2008 health insurance will be conducted throughout M-DCPS worksites on Tuesday, February 5 or Wednesday, February 6, 2008. Click the title bar above for the health options.

UTD Steward Election

The UTD Steward elections for our school will take place for all UTD members on Wednesday, November 28 at 2:15 p.m. in the media center. If you are a UTD member who is interested in seeking this position or otherwise have any questions, please see Ms. Samuels.

UTD Calendar Survey

Please click the link above for information regarding the school calendar for next year.

UTD Steward Special Election

Since the designated, UTD Steward of Parkway Elementary is no longer at our school, a special election will be held for her position at the beginning of the school year. Similar with normal procedures, all UTD members are eligible to seek the position, and only members of this bargaining unit may vote in the election.

Since Ms. Samuels was serving as the alternate steward at the end of last school year, she assumes the lead position until the special election and will have the opportunity to run for the office as well.

UTD Building Steward Election

Our UTD Building Stewards Election will occur at our school on or between May 8 and May 10. The election notice and procedures for UTD members can be obtained by clicking on the information below.

Election Notice

Election Procedures

UTD Run-Off Election Results

The four remaining UTD seats have been filled. Please click title bar above for the election results.

Karen Aronowitz is Re-elected UTD President

Karen Aronowitz was re-elected UTD President
Click title bar above to see full election results.

Five vying to lead Miami-Dade teachers union

Source: Miami Herald
BY TANIA deLUZURIAGA

United Teachers of Dade president Karen Aronowitz is up for reelection this week. In the 21 months since taking office, Aronowitz has led efforts opposing changes to the class-size amendment, sued the school district over a controversial performance pay plan and negotiated a guaranteed three-year contract.

But she has been criticized for not taking a hard enough stance against district officials.
Now, W.R. Thomas Middle School history teacher Ron Beasley, Michael Krop Senior High science teacher Shawn Beightol, Ojus Elementary teacher Patrenia Dozier-Washington and retired teacher Harold Mandell are trying to take Aronowitz's place.

''I don't think Karen has her own vision for what the fourth-largest school district in the nation could be,'' Beightol said. Beightol has been one of Aronowitz's most outspoken critics, urging members to take a harder line against the district, circulating a list of district employees making more than $100,000 and printing red T-shirts that say, His actions led the school district to accuse him of misusing his school district e-mail account and remove him from the classroom for 10 days.

Beightol, Beasley and Dozier-Washington are all calling for improved union services, lower union dues and higher salaries for teachers and paraprofessionals.
Mandell has not submitted any campaign materials to UTD and could not be reached for comment Monday.

Beasley, a former Army Ranger who worked in the UTD office as an organizer last year, says his experience will help him reshape UTD. ''I have first-hand knowledge of the minor flaws in [UTD] management taking place,'' he said. ``We've been cutting down on services while increasing salaries.''

Dozier-Washington, a former Tornillo supporter, is floating the idea of creating a teacher's trust that would be used to fund salaries. She also wants to see better professional development offerings from the union.

Voting will take place at each work site Wednesday. Ballots will be counted through that night and winners will likely be announced Thursday.

UTD Officer Candidate Forum

What: UTD Officer Candidate Forum
When: February 6, 2007 (6:00 - 7:00 PM)
Where: Temple Israel (137 NE 19th Street Miami, Florida - about four blocks south of the UTD building)

For more information, click the title bar above.

2006-2009 UTD Contract

Enclosed is a copy of the 2006-2009 UTD Contract in its tentative agreement form. We will post the contract in its entirety as soon as it becomes available.