OFFICERS VISIT REMAINING SCHOOLS-During the last few weeks of the school year, the three full-time SVFT officers are planning visits to the schools we have been unable to visit during the year. These visits give us an opportunity to congratulate members who are retiring and to thank them for their years of service. This week we visited Kaynor, Ellis and Windham. Abbott, Goodwin, Wolcott, Bristol, Whitney and Platt are scheduled for the remaining weeks of June.
GOVERNORS BUDGET PROPOSES CLOSING TWO SCHOOLS-On Friday, May 29 Governor Rell presented a second budget that includes closing Wright Tech and Bristol Tech. The bill that included the provision to create a study group to advance the collaboration between Wright and Norwalk Community College was filibustered and our lobbyist, Jennifer Berigan reports that the legislative delegation in Stamford needs to hear from all of us regarding this issue. Political pressure placed on the Bristol legislators is important also.
APPRECIATION BANQUET-The annual appreciation banquet, at which we thank all those who have worked to improve the working conditions and quality of life for our members, will take place Wed. June 10, at the Hawthorne Inn. All the members of the Executive Council as well as AFL-CIO leaders and AFT-CT leaders and lobbyists are invited. SVFT committee chairs are invited along with retired dignitaries.
SVFT VICE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION Pat Keavney, in a letter to SVFT President Rick Tanasi announced her intention to take advantage of the retirement incentive and therefore resign from her position as vice president effective August 26, 2009.
UNION ANNOUNCES TIMETABLE FOR ELECTION The Executive Council approved the timelines for the election of a vice-president to serve out the remainder of Pats term. The letter of resignation, the election timelines, and a description of the responsibilities of the SVFT vice president are posted on this web site
SPECIAL ELECTION The special election to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of SVFT Vice President Pat Keavney will take place on September 9, 2009. Candidates are encouraged to submit their campaign statement to the SVFT by May 27 so it can be published in the June issue of the Vocational Instructor. The nomination period runs for thirty days, from May 14 to June 12, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Interested candidates must contact Andrew Taddei at Wilcox Tech to announce their intention to run.
RETIREMENTS-- Several members have decided to take advantage of the RIP and have completed the necessary paperwork. Look in the June issue of the Vocational Instructor for a list of members retiring.
NEW REP TRAINING-Training for the newly elected building representatives is scheduled for June 8 at the SVFT office in Rocky Hill.
TRAINING FOR VETERAN REPS-In an effort to establish effective communication and successful relationships with all of the new or transferred administrators, Executive Union Representative Ed Leavy has scheduled a series of training sessions for building reps in the affected schools. These training sessions (at least 3) will begin on June 10 and will continue into the early fall.
NEW BRITIAN ROCK CATS GAME June 27th-Tickets are available to any member on a first-come, first-served basis. The SVFT made a donation in conjunction with organized labor (AFL-CIO) to honor our veterans at a Rock Cats game. The game will be June 27 at 5:30. Our sponsorship entitled us to designate who will throw the first pitch (Gary DelPiano) and 200 tickets. If you would like to attend the game, please give Pat Keavney a call and she will make sure the tickets are sent to you.