Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1515721
Environmental Educators United ENVIRONMENTAL CHAR TER SCHOOL S Los Angeles County 120 certificated members across four sites Bargaining their first con- tract has been difficult for EEU members, as charter management continues to unnecessarily delay and drag out the process. EEU Organiz- ing Committee member Fabian Ponciano says educators are looking to win rights and working conditions in their first contract that will help end a school culture that burns out young teachers and denies stu- dents the stability they deserve. "We want this to be a part- nership. We have the same goals in mind — we want Environmental Charter Schools (ECS) to be a leader in education and be the best for our community," says Ponciano. EEU members are fighting to keep educators at ECS, focused on items like improved working conditions and longevity pay, as well as the resources students deserve to help meet their needs. Ponciano says that while that march has been slow, EEU members are keeping their eyes on the prize of a first contract. "It is tough organizing and at times, it feels like we're not making change — but we are," he says. "It just takes time to make a difference. The momen- tum builds up and once we start moving, it's hard to stop us." EEU's Fabian Ponciano, a graduate of Environmental Charter Schools, remembers the impacts of chronic churn on students. Palmdale Aerospace Teachers Association PALMDALE AEROSPACE AC ADEMY Palmdale 95 certificated members at one site Bargaining for PATA's first contract hasn't been a smooth ride with difficult management, but that's only serving to strengthen the resolve of educators fighting for better conditions for each other and their students. PATA members are building a movement to fight for the wages and working conditions they deserve. Educators at the K–12 Palmdale Aerospace Acad- emy don't currently have prep periods, haven't had a pay increase in five years, and don't earn tenure and permanent employment. "Lately, everybody 's really committed and we're moving in a unified way," says Lagomarsino, who teaches history, AVID and yearbook. Management's unwillingness to take bargaining seriously has PATA on the verge of declaring impasse and preparing for the possibility of a strike if that's what it takes to win their union contract. "A union makes management listen," Lagomarsino says. "I believe in democracy, and what we have here is a workplace democracy." Organizing Pro Tip "Don't be afraid to approach people you don't usually talk to, because you're going to find common goals and values." —Fabian Ponciano, Environmental Educators United see there's a lot of burden on us," says Ponciano, a ninth grade science teacher. "A contract will mean so many of our teachers will be able to stay and support our students." In their fights for a unified voice for edu cators an d stu d ent s, th e se ch ar - ter educators are drawing a line in the sand for the conditions that all school communities deserve — inspiring oth- ers to also take that stand. Teachers at Leadership Public Schools' three cam- puse s in th e S an Franci sc o Bay Area organized East Bay Educators United ( E B EU ) i n 2 0 2 0 , w i n n i n g t h e i r f i r s t contract and sending ripples through charter schools regionally. The victory had a palpable impact on their classi- fied colleagues, who began organizing to join EBEU shortly after to win their own guaranteed rights, working conditions and voice on the job. Starting their campaign in August, the 36 education support professionals became the newest members of the CTA family in late December when they were officially recognized as EBEU members. "I never imagined we would go from zero to fully filed in a single semester, so it's been a lot to take in. It's a testa- ment to our organizing committee," says L a To nya P ye , E BEU C l a ssi f i e d Organizing Committee member. Continued from Page 25 Continued on Page 28 27 F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 24