TVEA Today

President’s Message:

I want to congratulate you all on another BIG win for TVEA membership! Your efforts dating to last spring to secure standards based textbooks for elementary and now a historic 8% adjustment to the salary and stipend schedules could not have been done without YOU!

We all contribute in many ways, and the acts of solidarity throughout the district to discuss how to bring attention to the matter in the community and help each other out during these times are powerful. Sites had tough discussions on the sacrifices we make to provide services to students during our breaks, lunches, and after schools. Individuals took courageous stances to educate parents and community members on the amount of time and personal resources that are volunteered and expended to provide an “elevated” experience to the students of Temecula Valley. I am saddened to have heard that some educators were attacked and shamed for pulling back on volunteer time!

Our success will be celebrated with a Compensation Celebration in the near future.

This is a great opportunity to reach out to bargaining unit members that are not TVEA members to join. TVEA expends many resources to collect information, organize individuals, and enable our teams to succeed. Our Site Leaders, Position Specialist, and committees do the majority of the work to connect with members and provide opportunities for member interaction and action. Through our many current circumstances, members are realizing their leadership potential to advocate for effective teaching and learning environments through TVEA committees and with site organizing.

Let’s encourage all employees to participate in our organization to realize the BIG power our union has. TVEA member voice is instrumental in building a unified platform as we move forward. Reach out to members to learn and assist them in becoming part of what we can accomplish together. TVEA members contribute financially to the success of our organization to achieve our goals. Let's reach out to involve non-members for an opportunity to participate and contribute to our advocacy.

We all have rights to advocacy. Employees have rights if they choose to participate in union activities or sign the recall petitions. Your exercise of political rights outside of school hours and participation in union activities protect you from employer retaliation. Your signature on the recall papers are not released by the county. Your participation at political activities are protected by your First Amendment Rights. TVEA/CTA Members are protected through legal representation in legal matters such as retaliation and discrimination for participating in union or political activities is a benefit of membership only. Non-members do not qualify for non-contractual legal representation and need to hire representation on their own.

A best practice is to follow the written directive of an administrator (ask for an email) and grieve after. Otherwise there is potential that the district will attempt to issue discipline for insubordination. This is also the case for the updated TVUSD flag and observance administrative regulation. TVEA/CTA will defend and protect due process for you when TVUSD attempts to issue discipline. As part of the Unfair Labor Practice filed with the PERB, a remedy is to have the discipline expunged if the ruling supports our position.

Support your TVEA Bargaining Team on Monday by wearing Blue. While their faith may have been shaken, and trust has been broken by the failure to adopt the Tentative Agreement in September and the sunshining of Article 2 at Tuesday’s Board meeting, your bargaining team continues to work on problem solving contractual language in advocacy of our membership.

I wish you a great weekend and health.

In Solidarity,

Edgar Díaz

TVEA President

Next week join TVEA colleagues for Thursday Night Lights at GOHS endzone for a crosstown game with TVHS and bring a friend!. We will be in the endzone with pizza, drinks and treats at 6:30. Bring a chair.

All TVUSD staff has free admittance to games with TVUSD ID.

10/20-10/22 - TVEA Representatives to The State Council of Education of CTA
10/23 - TVEA Bargaining
10/26 - TVEA Executive Board 4:15pm
10/26 - Thursday Night Lights TVHS at GOHS Football 7pm
11/1 - TVUSD Staff Development Day
11/2 - Leadership Council of the TVEA, Margarita Middle School 4:15 PM

11/6 - TVEA Leadership Academy 8am

11/8 - Newmembersgiving 4:00pm