Running For DNEA President / by Kenneth Buff

Derby needs change. Everyone I’ve met in the district agrees on that. People are tired of what appears to be complacency on the part of the of our negotiators and leaders in the union.

Things I personally will fight for when elected:

  1. I will train the district via the union negotiators to always factor step and column movement into the budget before they even come to the negotiating table.

    1. Yes, this is considered a “negotiated item” but this is the only district I’ve worked in where the assumption is always you’re not going to have your college credits honored for column movement. I’ve experienced step freezes (but not as long and icy as Derby’s), but Derby is on another level with only honoring column movement for new hires.

  2. I’d like to eradicate the sense of fear that my colleagues throughout the district feel. Teachers should not have to be worried that their union will not have their back in the event of employer retaliation. We pay dues for a reason. We act collectively for a reason. Under my leadership teachers will have no need to fear their jobs are in jeopardy simply because they disagree with the district.

  3. Under my leadership, communication with members will be key. I will strive for transparency in all communication, and will listen to members of their wants and demands of the district, and of their union leadership.

  4. Members interested in taking on bigger roles in the union (via rep positions, etc.) will be trained. They will be able to inform their colleagues in their buildings of their rights as employees. The goal here is to have a strong, healthy body of teachers across the district who are ready to work towards achieving our goals of better pay and working conditions as a solid, well oiled machine.

These are just some of my top plans for improvement of DNEA once elected. That said, I am the type of person who doesn’t like to stop improving. So, once these goals have been met, undoubtedly new goals will have risen, and the work will continue.

And, one final thought. Some people look at this work, the work of organizing, the work of unpaid labor to better the working conditions of you and your fellow co-workers as tedious, time consuming, and potentially stressful. I do not. I find this work fulfilling. When elected, I will not tire of fighting along side my colleagues for a better tomorrow for all of us.