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BFT Action - October 5th, 2020

BFT Action--October 2020
 
The countdown is on! There are less than 30 days until Election Day! 
Click here to see the Election Action Menu!
 
 

This week, phone banking volunteers made over 300 calls! We still have 1,000 calls to make and every volunteer makes a difference. Will you phone bank with BFT for 1 hour on an upcoming Tuesday? Sign- up here!

 
Are you interested in participating in AFT sponsored phone banking for the Biden/ Harris Campaign?  An election of a democratic president and senate will ensure federal funds make it to our schools.

BFT has adopted October 28 from 7:00- 8:30 p.m. Will you join fellow BFT members and make calls on October 28?  Sign-up here to volunteer!

You can also participate in virtual phone banking through the YES on 15 Campaign! Click here to sign- up. 

 

Check out the CFT Educators Choice Voter Guide. After typing in your address, this tool will show you CFT endorsements customized to your local ballot! 

 

This week, the Alameda Labor Council sent out their voter guide. If you live in Alameda County, make sure to check out this helpful guide that shows endorsements for local, state and national elections! You can view an electronic copy here.

 
Election Swag and CFT Masks!
BFT has printed window signs for your car or home window. The BUSD School Board race will be competitive with five candidates running. You can support the two BFT endorsed candidates, Ana Vasudeo and Laura Babitt by placing a sign in your home or car window! We also have Prop 15 window signs. It's essential that voters know that voting YES on Prop 15 means direct funding to our schools. 
Contact BFT Vice President Janine Waddell at vicepresident@berkeleyteachers.org about contactless pick- up of signs and masks from the BFT Office (1432 University Ave.).
 
Are you Moving Over on the Salary Schedule Due to New Units?

If so, please remember that you must email a copy of your transcripts to transcripts@berkeley.net by November 15th in order for your salary to increase this year. The district will review all submissions by November 15.

You can also use this new electronic inservice credit form to log hours for attending SST and IEP meetings beyond the duty day and evening committee meetings. You can receive 1 unit per 30 hours of evening committee meetings and 1 unit for every 15 hours of SST or IEP meetings. 

 
The BFT Executive Board approved a resolution creating strong guidelines for both the county and district in order to return to sites. The safety of our staff and students is our top priority and any return to sites will be done through the negotiations process.You can view this resolution here
 

Support Alameda Health System Workers

The East Bay DSA is organizing support for the 5 day strike against the Alameda Health System authorized by SEIU 1021 and the California Nurses Association. Click here to sign up for pickets and other forms of strike support! 

 

Prop 15 Digital Art Kit

Check out this digital art kit created by BFT Organizer, and King Middle School Teacher Julie Searle. Passing Prop 15 will require all hands on deck. Creating art is one of many ways to support Yes on 15! You can access the art kit here.

 
Trimester 1 Update

Trimester 1 for elementary schools is under discussion to be delayed to possibly mid November. This delay would also apply to elementary report cards and conferences. 

 
Enroll in the BFT Sick Leave Bank! Deadline: October 31st

The BFT/BUSD Sick Leave Bank was organized to generate a pool of sick leave days to be available to qualified applicants toward long-term leave in the event of a prolonged illness or injury.

Enrolling in the Sick Leave Bank is both completely voluntary and a great opportunity for BFT members. Enrollment is open for the month of October this year—see your Site Rep if you don’t know whether you’re enrolled or if you need a form. HOURLY workers can find the form here. SALARIED workers can find the form here. Check out our FAQ for more information. BFT strongly encourages all members to join.

Enrollment forms are due October 31st. Please scan and email your form to bftoffice@lmi.net.

 
2021 BENEFITS OPEN ENROLLMENT
BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
If you want to enroll or change benefits, add or remove dependents, decline coverage or enroll in one of the FSA plans for the 2021 plan year, you must do so by October 16.

Visit the BUSD Benefits Website for all benefits related forms and information. 

 
 
 
FAQ of the Month: Your Rights When Meeting With an Administrator
Do you know when you have the right to a union representative in a meeting with a supervisor?  Do you know what your union representative's role in such a meeting is?  Answers to these and other important questions can be found at BFT's FAQ.
 
Calendar of Coming Events
 
10/12/20 Staff PD Day
10/16/20 Open Enrollment for Benefits Deadline
10/30/20 Non Duty Day for Secondary
10/1/20 - 10/31/20 Open Enrollment for Sick Leave Bank