Get Out The VOTE

Vote on May 18th

When we started trying to bring awareness to EAA’s behavior towards members and the potential for change, we had hoped that educators would be receptive to our message and efforts. We never imagined that our message would resonate with so many educators that you all would so eagerly join us in this fight. It really demonstrates how educators at ACPS are hungry for something new and ready to demand change.

Whether it was hosting our first town hall, meeting the educators, or working with those who helped secure our petition signatures, every effort was driven by one goal: making EAA better for its members. When we emailed EAA on your behalf, tried to get long awaited CBA details, and spoke out at city council and school board meetings, it was always in service of the hard working educators at ACPS. For too long educators have needed leadership that fights for them, not against them.

We want to be that change and hope you agree when you receive your ballots on election day this upcoming Monday the 18th. It has been a wild ride and we are so glad that all of you joined us on this journey. May this only be the first step in the road ahead to empowering the hard working educators at ACPS.

We Are So Grateful

Truly, from the bottom of our hearts, we appreciate every single one of you who joined us in this fight. We want you to know, should we win and take office, this is only the beginning. This election is just one battle, and we intend to win every single fight from here on out with members standing firmly behind us.

The details of the CBA are still unknown. Are members expected to vote on a deal that is more uncertain now than ever? . A strong CBA should be drafted in collaboration with educators, living up to the collective process by which it gets its name. Any deal we sign off on will be done with members, for members. We want to fight so that the disastrous healthcare offsets that are coming to burden educators further, never happen again.

Educators and dues paying members should never have to wonder why their worth is not reflected in their paycheck. The same you all fought alongside us, we intend to repay our gratitude with fighting for you once we are in office. A better way forward is possible, and hopefully, at our fingertips.

Change Is Possible Together

We have a vision, and we hope to announce, and then enact it. As mentioned time and time again, a union is only as strong as its members. Members keep a union strong through informed advocacy and engagement. EAA’s bylaws need to reflect that and no workplace should go without representation again. This is only the beginning of EAA’s transition to becoming dedicated to educators again.

Before we can fulfill our promises the members of EAA must cast their ballots. We hope we have done enough to earn your vote, not expect it as current leadership does. Make sure that if you are a dues paying member your email is up to date and you reach out to EAA immediately if you do not receive your ballot on May 18th. Voting will take place from May 18th from 5AM to May 19th at 11:59PM, so be sure to fill out and submit your ballot between these times.

When you receive your ballot, if you support our message, David Paladin-Fernandez is running to be EAA President and a building representative for Jefferson Houston. Tyron Barnes is running for Vice President and to be a building representative at Patrick Henry. Howard Van der Sluis is running to be Treasurer of EAA and a building representative of Jefferson Houston. Make sure you vote for the best candidates who share your values, we hope that means us. But most importantly, ensure you vote for your building representatives as we intend to work closely with them to revitalize EAA. If you do not have a building representative on the ballot, feel free to reach out to us after the election as we intend to hold special elections so every work location has representation in the coming school year. Change is possible, and we hope to be that change so that EAA is about members again.

Thank you for fighting with us.