As chair and on behalf of the Unit A Bargaining Team, consisting of myself, Allison Cox (President), Gayle Carvalho (PR&R Chair), Derek Ferguson (QHS), Sean Greene (QHS), Seth Harmon (QHS), Peg McDonough (SWMS), Nicole Prevost (Parker), and Teresa Rand (Wollaston), I wanted to briefly update you on the status of bargaining as we begin the process of negotiating a new contract.
On February 24, 2020, the Team met for the fourth time.  In these initial meetings, the team has closely examined all of the bargaining information that building reps collected earlier this year from the staffs of individual buildings.  This information is an invaluable resource for the Team, and we are deeply grateful to all of the QEA Building Reps who worked to get this information to us and to all the staff who contributed.  Examining that data has left the Team with strong impressions about what the priorities of our membership are.
We plan to continue meeting weekly, with forthcoming dates on March 3, 10, 18, and 23 and April 1, 6, and 15.  Our goal will be to use as many of these dates as needed to begin the process of making decisions about how we can best turn your priorities into a package of proposals we can bring to the table.
Once we arrive at a list of proposals the Team feels good about, we will reach out to the Superintendent to set up dates for the actual bargaining to commence.  You should expect another update from the Team around that time.  If you have any questions before the next update, you can email them directly to me at mellisqhs@gmail.com.  Thank you.

Michael J Ellis
QEA Vice President
Chair, Unit A bargaining team

Attention QEA Unit A members: This is the final call for anyone who wishes to serve on the Unit A bargaining team! You must email Allison Cox directly at quincyteachers@gmail.com by end of day January 17, 2020 if you wish to serve on this team. If we have more volunteers than bylaws allow, we will need to have an election.

When:  Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 at 3 p.m.

Where:  Room 308, Presidents Place, 1250 Hancock St., Quincy OR Plymouth campus via phone

Who:  All dues-paying members of QEA Unit E

The Negotiations Team for Unit E of the Quincy Education Association is pleased to announce that it has reached a Tentative Agreement with the Quincy College Board of Governors for a one-year successor Agreement effective July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.

Therefore, a ratification meeting is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 at 3 p.m. in Room 308 at Presidents Place. We will also have a room available, tbd, on the Plymouth campus for Unit E members who wish to participate via telephone.
All dues-paying members of the Unit E bargaining unit are eligible to attend this ratification meeting and may vote on the Tentative Agreement. Terms of the Agreement will be distributed to Unit E members prior to Nov. 8. Any questions will be answered at the ratification meeting, followed by debate or discussion, if any, and voting on ratification of the Tentative Agreement.

QEA bylaws require that one must be present to vote. No proxy or absentee voting is allowed. However, for the purposes of this ratification meeting only, members of Unit E who are scheduled to work at the Plymouth campus on this date who participate via telephone shall be deemed present and eligible to vote.

QEA is endorsing Paul Bregoli and Frank Santoro for Quincy School Committee for their proven commitment to the Quincy Public Schools and their deep understanding of the issues facing public education today. “Both candidates have years of experience in the Quincy Public School system, giving them tremendous insight into the strengths and challenges facing our district,” said QEA President Allison Cox.

“To continue building strong programs for students, it is important that we have the support and leadership of experienced, well-informed school committee members. Both Paul Bregoli and Frank Santoro bring strong local knowledge of our schools and the families they serve as well as a deep understanding of the many state and federal mandates that impact curriculum, policies, and programs.”  Both also have extensive backgrounds as public school educators themselves and are committed to working collaboratively with QEA and Quincy’s educators on issues.

For an unprecedented sixth time, the Quincy Education Association proudly announces its endorsement of Thomas P. Koch for Mayor.

“Since January 2008, Mayor Koch has proven his deep commitment to our public schools time and time again.  He has led the way in supporting our schools through strong budgets that allow for new and important initiatives, substantial technology upgrades, expanded programming and staffing, capital improvements, equipment upgrades and so much more,” said Allison G. Cox, QEA President.

Mayor Koch’s respect for educators and his commitment to the issues QEA members care about was an important consideration in this endorsement, as well as a lengthy track record of positive and productive experiences in working with him these past 11 years as Mayor and Chairman of the School Committee.

“Mayor Koch appreciates the tremendous work our members do every day in educating the next generation,” Cox said. “Arguably one of the most important roles of any society is in educating its youngsters, and in Mayor Koch we have a leader who respects educators, provides the resources and tools we need to educate our students, and is willing to work together to resolve issues.”

The 960 members of the Quincy Education Association include the PreK to grade 12 educators and Assistant Principals of the Quincy Public Schools, as well as faculty and professional support staff of Quincy College.  The decision to endorse Mayor Koch was made by a unanimous vote of the QEA Executive Board.

The union also highlighted Mayor Koch’s commitment to the infrastructure of the Quincy Public Schools as a key aspect of its endorsements.  Three state-of-the-art new schools, a vast majority funded by state grants, have opened in just the last few years, plans for a new Squantum Elementary School are underway, and the city recently purchased the former St. Mary School with an eye toward building a new school for that neighborhood.  The City has also embarked on a broader maintenance and restoration effort in existing school buildings, including a window and door replacement program that was also paid for primarily by state grants.

Education has remained a budgetary priority for Mayor Koch throughout his tenure, with classroom spending increasing by 41 percent since he took office.  He also leveraged money outside of the City’s operational budget to make substantial technology upgrades in a number of schools.

QEA recognizes that Mayor Koch shares its goal of high-quality public education for the children of Quincy, in which our students receive a first-rate classroom experience, along with ample opportunities to explore academic or enrichment opportunities, and in which they can achieve success and grow in knowledge, skills, and confidence.

“Since 2008, when the city needed a bold, new leader to step up and provide inspiring leadership for Quincy, the QEA has consistently recognized Mayor Thomas P. Koch as being true to his word and true to his commitment to Quincy,” Cox said.  “We are proud to endorse Mayor Thomas P. Koch once again for Mayor of Quincy.”

 

Please note the following dues for the 2019-2020 academic year

Units A, C, and D (QPS educators, assistant principals, and Quincy College faculty):

• NEA $196
• MTA $497
• *QEA  194
• *NCTA 8

Total dues:  $895

Unit E (Quincy College professional support staff):

• NEA $119.50
• MTA 299
• *QEA 194
• *NCTA 8

Total dues: $620.50

*QEA/NCTA dues are presumed and will be voted on by QEA Rep Council on Sept. 25, 2019

Date:  Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Time:  3:15 p.m.

Place:  Broad Meadows Middle School

All QEA members are invited to attend the Annual Meeting of the Quincy Education Association to be held Wednesday, May 22 at 3:15 p.m. at BMMS.  The purpose of Annual Meeting is to approve the proposed 2019-2020 budget and the discussion of professional issues.

Hope to see you there!