UTLA Sponsors 8th  Successful Blood Drive with the American Red Cross
By Steven Klein, Valley East Area Rep

LAUSD hires consultants to fix image. Daily News article, Nov. 28, 2007

L. A. Times Editorial
Daily News Editorial

Follow-Up: LAUSD Credit Card Paper Trail

ESBMM Woodland Hills Academy

A.J. Duffy Letter

School Board imposes mid-year renorming

Guide to Norm Day Displacement

UTLA President A.J. Duffy discusses the issues at stake in March 6th's election on KTLA television.

Scroll down in KTLA's video viewer to the clip labelled "A.J. Duffy, Pres. of United Teachers of L.A."

"Negotiations Update" fax series 

Announcements from UTLA covering the negotiations process

First the District won’t offer us a decent pay raise... now they aren’t paying us at all!

Latest news on Contract negotiations

It is time for a fair contract

Parent picketing spreads the word

December 6 demonstrations

A strong show of unity and determination; overview and images of the demonstrations.

Human Rights Committe

Letter from A.J. Duffy, press release and other information

Music Center Spotlight Awards

Scholarships and training in the arts for high school students. Deadline: October 3, 2006

Pack the Board and Rally for Vote on Alex Caputo-Pearl Transfer

Tuesday September 26th
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.at
LAUSD Board of Education
333 So. Beaudry,
Los Angeles

Parking and other transportation.

Villaraigosa announces endorsement at Foshay Learning Center

Amongst a cheering and enthusiastic crowd of students, government officials and labor and community leaders, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced his endorsement of gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides Tuesday, Sept. 5 at Foshay Learning Center. Angelides emphasized his commitment to quality education and to improved benefits for working families, and promised to work diligently towards both if elected. On the stage with Villaraigosa and Angelides were Assembly Member Mark Ridley-Thomas, LA Fed Executive Secretary-Treasurer Maria Elena Durazo, and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

New LAUSD school reform legislation

UTLA has come to an agreement with the Mayor that takes mayoral control off the table and instead seeks legislation that moves us closer to real school reform. It would build a District/Mayor partnership, take steps toward local control and teacher empowerment, and support high-needs schools. Details are being mailed to all members this week. Read the letter from A.J. Duffy.

June 26, 2006 UPDATE: The LAUSD School Reform Legislation (AB 1381) passed out of the Senate Education Committee on June 28 on a 7-1 vote. The bill now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee, which won't convene again until August.

June 9 pickets build bridges with parents

Parents joined teachers at dozens of school-site pickets on June 9, including this one at Wilmington Park Elementary School. Participants rallied for reforming the LAUSD and putting resources and control where they count most: at the local level. The picketing came on the heels of contract negotiations between LAUSD and UTLA that began this week.

UTLA contract proposals

UTLA presented our initial bargaining package to the School Board May 9. The proposals must be "sunshined"—open to public comment—for 30 days before contract talks can start. UTLA is holding a Contract Campaign Kick-Off Rally on May 20 for chapter chairs and site leaders. More details will be faxed to schools.

Parent-Teacher Coalition Proposes ‘Seismic Shift' in L.A. Schools

Six community organizations and UTLA have added their voices to the debate over the future of the L.A. Unified School District. The coalition's “Call to Action for Equity and Excellence in L.A. Schools” focuses on changes in LAUSD classrooms and local schools.

NCLB Compliance Process

Did you receive notice about No Child Left Behind compliance? Find out if you're highly qualified. Call the District's NCLB Unit and ask to speak to a specialist. (213) 241-2062. They'll tell you if you're highly qualified; if you're not, they'll tell you how many points you need, what exams you need to take, what you need to do.

Let's get it right
Learn more about the need to address serious flaws in the No Child Left Behind Act. AFT's blog offers ways to make positive improvements to NCLB.

Student Walkouts

While many of us have great sympathy for the views and expressions of protest taken by our students, as the union representing teachers and health and human services personnel we have an obligation to look out for our members. Read Duffy's letter of advice to chapter chairs.

Position available

UTLA has an opening for the Director of Communications position

Museum of Contemporary Art Start's Summer Institute

An award-winning professional development program for teachers and a multi-visit touring program for their students. Salary point credit. Deadline to register is May 26. Summer Institute application

The New Los Angeles

This powerful documentary covers the journey from the elections that brought Mayor Tom Bradley to power in 1973, to the historic 2005 election of LA's first Latino mayor in more than 130 years, Antonio Villaraigosa. Premieres nationally on KCET on April 27 at 10 p.m.

May 1 immigrant rights mobilizations

Important information from UTLA about safeguarding our members' rights and promoting responsible action -- This Monday, May 1, immigrant rights mobilizations will happen across the United States. Actions will occur throughout Los Angeles. UTLA's House of Representatives has taken a position in opposition to HR 4437 and all legislation that threatens to criminalize undocumented immigrants. UTLA has no official position regarding a May 1 boycott. Should any member decide to boycott and not come in to work, this should be taken as an unpaid day and the site administrator notified in advance. Do not call the Sub Finder; site administration will handle substitute coverage.

Mutual accountability, not fingerpointing, key to comprehensive school reform

UTLA is building a coalition with community-based organizations, parent groups, other district unions, and university professors to fashion a comprehensive school reform for Los Angeles Unified School District. READ MORE

Grassroots contract proposals: North Area members go over top priority issues reported by schools.

At the March 15 UTLA area meetings, each of the eight areas selected its 12 top-priority issues. Those issues will be reviewed by the UTLA Board of Directors, which will, in conjunction with the UTLA Organizing Taskforce, help translate member concerns into a package of proposals and plan of action. Some issues will be dealt with at the contract negotiation table, while others will take legislative or community action, in partnership with parents, community groups, elected officials, and other labor unions.

Decision reached on bilingual differential arbitration

The arbitrator ruled against payment of differentials for SEI classes and 1/3 ELL's in class. Only teachers with waivered classes will be paid a differential. Any teacher who has a waivered class and does not receive a differential must file a grievance with UTLA to preserve their rights.

Web exclusive: An interview with ISCA Senior Researcher Miles Myers

How teachers are collaborating on the job to create the best teaching possible: The important work of The Institute (ISCA) and Los Angeles school reform.

"Sharing Brings Hope" art and essay contest

Encourage your students to enter the LAUSD Consolidated Charitable Campaign contest.

Arellano steps down from LAUSD District 2 school board race

In a letter to UTLA officers and members, Christopher Arellano explains his decision to withdraw his name from race.

Election Results for school board seat, District 2

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Here are unofficial results of Tuesday's 2nd District Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education special election from the Los Angeles City Clerk's Office

With all 199 precincts and absentee ballots counted.

Because no candidate received a majority, a runoff between Garcia and Arellano will be held June 6. Turnout was nine percent.

Delegates elected to 2006 CFT convention

Congratulations to the following 56 UTLA/AFT Local 1021 members who were elected to attend the 2006 CFT convention this March 24-26 in Sacramento. Those members not elected will serve as alternates and will be chosen based on the votes they received. Alternates will be contacted if and when openings occur.

Results of UTLA/NEA run-off election

The results from the run-off election held at the UTLA/NEA Service Center Council on Monday, January 23, 2006, are:

UTLA President Duffy profiled in Los Angeles Daily News

A.J. Duffy really works on maintaining and cultivating his two-toned look. More often than not, he wears two-toned shoes -- wingtips in particular -- carefully coordinated with a double-breasted suit, tie and pocket handkerchief. He drives a two-toned Chrysler P.T. Cruiser. The studied balance he brings to his clothes and car is what he strives to accomplish as president of United Teachers Los Angeles -- a tough-talking, wise-cracking union leader, but one with a heart of gold.

Perceptions, please, on professional development

The American Psychological Association Teachers' Needs Survey is gathering information about teachers' perceptions of professional development. The survey will help inform public policy as well as the creation of APA professional development courses for teachers based on the needs teachers identify. Please take a moment to do the survey.

By 90% to 10% margin, UTLA members vote to accept tentative agreement

Ballots were counted Jan. 25 in a ratification vote for a tentative agreement on salaries and health benefits in the 2003-2006 UTLA/LAUSD contract. The tentative agreement calls for a 2.5% salary increase, retroactive to July 1, 2005, and maintaining health benefits during the third year of the 2003-2006 contract.

UTLA members vote on tentative agreement to contract

UTLA members vote on the tentative agreement Jan. 19, 20, 23, and 24. Ballots will be counted Jan. 25. If UTLA members vote to accept the TA, the School Board will vote on it at its Jan. 31 meeting. Once the TA is ratified by both members and the School Board, it's part of the contract, and the new salary schedules take effect (the 2.5% increase is retroactive to July 1, 2005). Locations and times for UTLA area meetings and ballot pick-up.

Results for UTLA-AFT Affiliate Vice President election

Tentative Agreement reached

2.5% pay raises; steps to lower class size, limit student testing, cut bureaucracy

2005-2006 LAUSD/UTLA Memorandum of Understanding

Text of Tentative Agreement reached Nov. 21, 2005

Ratification vote timeline

UTLA members will vote to accept or reject Tentative Agreement in January

Draft salary schedules with 2-1/2% increase

Arbitrator's decision: challenges to UTLA elections

TREASURER David Goldberg Alberto Valdivia

UTLA/AFT VICE PRESIDENT Josh Pechthalt Bev Cook

Subsitute Appreciation Day, Nov. 18

This day is to recognize all substitute employees in our public schools.

Join UTLA for precinct walking Saturday, Nov. 5

Choose a location near you. Get out the vote Monday and Tuesday.

UTLA/NEA election results

For offices of UTLA/NEA Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and At-Large Board of Directors.

Know a child who needs health coverage?

If a child in your classroom needs health coverage, you can refer parents to the school nurse or the LAUSD toll-free number for more information about eligibility or how to apply.

Richard Riordan sends misleading letter

UTLA members received a letter from Richard Riordan, former mayor of Los Angeles and former California Secretary for Education, calling on educators to vote yes on Proposition 75 in the November 8 special election. Riordan's letter contains several false and misleading statements.

Teachers, parents protest South Gate High condtion

Currently there are classes with over 170 students (a PE class has over 450), many students are misassigned, there is no photocopying or other clerical assistance, and 20 teacher positions remain unfilled... and these are just a few of numerous problems.

Schwarzenegger seeks "bad teacher" stories

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign posted a form on its website asking Californians for stories about inferior teachers to support the Prop. 74 ballot initiative. MORE....

Charter school operator to take over Jefferson High?

Green Dot, a charter school operation run by businessman Steve Barr, wants to divide Jefferson into as many as eight small charter schools sharing the same campus.

Manual arts parents, teachers protest

District officials ignore community's choice for next principal; another example of top-down decision making afflicting LAUSD inner city schools. MORE....

School district and UTLA meet to set mutual agenda

UTLA President A.J. Duffy: "This is historic because this has never happened before where the president of UTLA, the superintendent of schools, and the board president come together to talk about issues."

Urgent! Special Ed. notice

UTLA's daily blog covered AFL-CIO convention

Biggest event in labor last 30 years

Duffy's remarks to School Board on parcel tax proposal

Made at July 27 special School Board meeting.

Thousands rally against governor

Activists and concerned citizens fill Pershing Square.

NEA RA election results

Results of state and local elections.

CTA State Council election results

Results of the balloting.

El Camino national ahamps again

Come home victorious from academic decathlon.

UTLA second round election results

Results of second round of balloting.

UTLA election results

Results of first round of balloting. MORE....

El Camino Real wins state academic decathlon

The former national champs get another shot at a U.S. title.

Reading Challenge winners named and honored

Eight LAUSD reading champs join the Clippers for a night of fun in the UTLA-Clippers-Staples Reading Challenge.

API scores rise again

Thanks to everyone's hard work in the classroom, API scores continue to move upward.

NEA awards Innovation Grant to Hollenbeck

Julie Maharaj and her partners at Hollenbeck Middle School were among those honored by the NEA with Innovation Grants for their schools.

PAR offers standards-based lesson design

The Peer Assistance and Review Program {PAR) run by UTLA and the district is offering a series of workshops on standards-based lesson design that are content- and grade-specific. View: History, Math, Science, K-2, 3-5

UTLA initiative passes overwhelmingly

More than 85 percent of those who voted approved the UTLA Pacing and Assessments Initiative.

Zylink ordering, transferring procedures outlined

In the two attached files, Zylink, the new Internet service provider taking over for Telincs, explains how to install the dialer and set up Outlook Express for e-mail. There are two Web addresses to view instructions and, in the case of PC users, download the dialer.

The PC address is http://isp.zylink.com/downloads/zylink_setup.exe (which takes you to a direct download). The Mac address is http://isp.zylink.com/mac.htm. (Alternately, if you'd rather work from a CD, you can go to http://isp.zylink.com/ordercd.htm, but it's for PCs only.) The support phone number for all users, new and transferring, is (866) 509-4932.

CalSTRS Opens 403(b) Comparison Site

Visit: http://www.403bcompare.com/ to view details and compare various companies' 403(b) plans.

Millikan honored as "School to Watch"

Millikan Middle School in Sherman Oaks is among four schools statewide being honored in the California League of Middle Schools-sponsored "Schools to Watch -- Taking Center Stage" program.