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Q: How would I benefit from joining EEA? R: EEA offers its members: · Quality Staff Development · Opportunities to be appointed to District Committees · Involvement in professional issues · Free Financial Planning · Legal protection to uphold rights of members · $1,000,000 professional liability insurance · Representation in grievances · Lobbying and political action · Full time professional staff assistance · Support for National Board Certification · Regular newsletter / publications / professional journals · Public relations for the teaching profession · Low cost group insurance opportunities · NEA / AFT member discount benefits.
Q: Does everyone have to join EEA R: There is a collective bargaining law in Florida that gives an individual the right to join or not join a union. Of course, we believe anyone who benefits from EEA’s efforts would want to join our organization. Furthermore, it’s one of the marks of a professional to join and support one’s professional organization in working to improve the profession.
It would be wonderful if we could go to the bargaining table with the strength of all teachers in Escambia County behind us when EEA makes its proposals to the School Board. Our contract is directly representative of EEA’s power and influence.
A majority of teachers presently employed in Escambia County are members. However, our goal is to contact all non-members personally and ask them to join EEA so we can truly speak and act as one united voice before the School Board, the community, and the Legislature.
Q: Do members and non-members receive the same benefits just because EEA is the exclusive bargaining agent with the School Board? R: No, not entirely. Florida law says that a union does not have to represent non-members in grievances, and EEA has formally adopted a policy to coincide with that law. Legal counsel, in the event of duty-related difficulties, is limited to members only. Also, certain insurance plans are available only to EEA members, as well as opportunities to serve on official committees representing teachers.
Q: How are my dues determined? R: Local dues are set by our Representative Assembly. This Council is comprised of your colleagues elected by the members at your school.
Q: What if I’d like to belong to the union, but I can’t afford it? R: You can’t afford NOT to belong. Some people can’t afford to be sick but that doesn’t mean they never have to go to a doctor. Union membership is protection when you need it. Let’s hope you never need to file a grievance or get transferred against your will. But if you do, EEA is there to help you with legal counsel and/or professional help.
Most of all, the power of EEA at the bargaining table is directly related to the number of members in our organization. Benefits derived from discount buying, low cost insurance, higher salaries, etc., more than offset the cost of your dues.
Q: With which organizations is EEA affiliated? R: EEA is affiliated with the Florida Education Association (FEA), with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA). When you join EEA, you automatically become a member of these organizations. As a result, you have representation at the local, state and national levels. Because the AFT is affiliated with the AFL-CIO, we gain additional support for public education. The AFL-CIO, whose 16 million members include many parents of students in our public schools, lobbies vigorously in the State Legislature, in Congress, and before school boards for items that will benefit schools and children. It is the one group that has consistently supported public education for 100 years.
Q: Has EEA been involved in activities pertaining to educational improvement? R: Yes, EEA has been very active in these areas. We are providing leadership in the design on Curriculum in Escambia County. We provide a program, Educational Research & Dissemination (ER&D) that enables teachers to learn the latest in educational research on effective instruction and to incorporate this in practical ways in the classroom. This program is a union developed, district supported venture. We also assist in the process of implementing National Board certification of teachers.
Through joint committee work, EEA has provided teachers with opportunities to collaborate on development of the district’s research-based teacher evaluation system (PEGS).
Within our membership are many people who have made outstanding contributions to education locally, statewide and nationally. As a result, EEA is considered an organization on the forefront of meeting today’s educational challenges.
Q: If EEA is a union, couldn’t we be required to strike? R: No. Strikes are against Florida Law for public school employees.
Q: Who conducts the business of EEA? R: Five officers and nine district directors comprise the EEA Board. They are members who are elected by secret ballot conduct the business of our organization. The President, who is one of the fourteen members, is released by the School Board from teaching duties to be a full time president/staff person for EEA. The salary is paid by EEA from dues money.
The members at your school elect an Association Representative (AR) who meets monthly with ARs from each school to set EEA policy. Your AR is responsible for seeing that information is disseminated, grievances are handled and questions are answered at your school.
Q: Who negotiates my contract? R: EEA is the exclusive bargaining agent for all Escambia County teachers.
Q: Is our contract a good one? R: Yes, we have one with excellent provisions but any contract is only as good as its enforcement. When you suspect any part of your contract is not being adhered to, contact your Association Representative at once. He/she will advise you about the necessary steps to take.
Q: Name some things EEA has negotiated in our contract with the School Board. R: Improved salaries; duty-free lunch time; a written grievance procedure ending with binding arbitration; six paid holidays; Board-paid health and life insurance; salary supplements for special duties; paid personal leave days; daily planning periods; and much more.
The current contract is available electronically at the EEA (www.escambiafea.org) and Escambia County Schools websites (www.escambia.k12.fl.us/adminoff/humres/employee_services.htm). A hard copy of the contract has been provided to each school’s media center. Q: Does EEA have an office? R: Yes, we do. In fact, we own the building we use as an office. It is located at 6551 N. Palafox St., Pensacola. We have a full time Staff, consisting of an Executive Director, a Service Unit Director and two Secretaries who work to meet the needs of our members.
Q: What if I don’t always agree with some things the union does? R: Do you agree 100% with what any organization, church, or political group you belong to does? Or do you even agree 100% with your spouse? As a member, you have a voice in changing EEA’s policies. Only members have the right to run for office, vote on decisions that are made, elect delegates, and choose an Association Representative for your school.
If you feel a change is needed, there is a way to do it. Become involved yourself, and urge your friends to do likewise. Remember, every member has a vote.
Since EEA represents all the teachers in our school system, be a member and let your opinion help shape the decisions made. Our common ground is greater than our differences.
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We will have a list of reps on the website shortly. A rep should contact you within a few days of beginning your new position. If someone doesn’t contact you, please email Bill Blankenship at wblankenship@panhandle.rr.com. |
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Check out the news articles and upcoming events to find more information. |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Here’s a list: Gail Husbands, EEA President—gail.husbands@floridaea.org Pam Porter, Staff Development / ACP Coordinator—pporter@escambia.k12.fl.us Teenie Wehmeier, Coordinator Education Certification— twehmeier@escambia.k12.fl.us |
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I’m a new teacher. Who can I contact to get more information? |
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What’s going on in the district? What training is available through EEA? |
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Who is my Association Rep. / Union Rep.? |
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What You Always Wanted to Know About the Escambia Education Association |
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To contact us: |
