Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/39006
AEA Is Your Voice for Quality Public Education The Arizona Education Association is fighting to protect educators in schools, districts, and at the state capitol. • AEA advocates for members’ rights and fair working conditions. • AEA fought to gain revenue for schools by passing Prop 100 and protect funding for early childhood education programs by helping defeat Prop 302. • AEA stands up for its members when they’ve been treated unfairly or unjustly by administrators and school districts. • Local associations across the state have successfully passed district overrides and bonds in addition to bargaining negoti- ated agreements on salary and working conditions for members. • NEA worked to pass the federal jobs fund to protect educators’ jobs. With the passage of SB 1365, legislators are trying to silence your voice by taking away pay- roll dues deduction. There is no other organiza- tion at the capitol or in the state that is speaking up on behalf of educators; without AEA, educa- tors do not have a voice in improving working conditions and the quality of public education. Remaining an AEA member and switching to an alternative method of dues collection will prevent legislators from silencing your voice. We educators need to stand together, now more than ever. Sign up for another method of dues collection today by contacting your Association Representative or local association president. Our professions and the future of Arizona’s children are at stake. ✒ Tucson EA members Debrana Salcido and Cynthia Mort at Delegate Assembly. The new law takes effect October 1, 2011. If you are currently having your dues collected through payroll deduction, you must sign up for another means of dues collection, such as Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or run the risk of losing your membership rights and benefits, including the following: • $1 million liability insurance protec- tion through NEA, • Representation by AEA staff, • Rights to legal representation by AEA in job-related actions, • Rights to claim and/or use member benefit services (i.e. attorney referral program, NEA Click & Save discounts, some voluntary insurance coverage through Association-approved ven- dors, etc.) and, • Any other rights or benefits of membership. AEA Advocate ❘ Fall 2011 15