AFT-NH
SAVE OUR NH PUBLIC SCHOOLS-OUT OF STATE INTERESTS LAUNCH CAMPAIGN FOR VOUCHERS
CALL TO ACTION---NOW!
NO ON SB 372!
 
Dear AFT-NH Member,

The House will be voting on Senate Bill 372 which diverts public money for education to religious and private schools as well as home schoolers. This bill is intended to privatize our public education and weaken our good schools here in NH. We know how our schools compare with other states and we are proud. But the extremists in the legislature won’t give up and are determined to defund our schools and thus destroy what we cherish. Polls of NH citizens have recently shown little support for a voucher plan. [Granite State Poll- February 9, 2012]

Please send an email TODAY to contact your state representatives and URGE them to vote no on SB 372.

Phone calls are going to legislators asking them to support this bill which are driven by an out of state interest group known as The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice .

For a complete review of SB 372 and some of the background work on the outside interest group, please visit Defending NH Public Schools.

So if you care about public education in NH, please take this action.

Thank you!

In Solidarity,
Laura Hainey
lhainey@aft-nh.org
603-661-7293

Have you visited the AFT-NH Facebook page and clicked “Like Us”? Please do so today
“Fighting For Our Future”
www.aft-nh.org

Dear AFT-NH Member,

There are two important bills to be voted on this week. There are two one-click actions contained in this update. Please take a couple of minutes to do these as we know they will make a difference.

It’s Working…

Dear AFT-NH Member,

It’s working. When AFT-NH members take action, they can make a difference. Today, the NH State Senate delayed voting on HB 1206 and set it for a special order of business for next week.

The members of the Senate need to understand that HB 1206, which automatically requires employees to absorb 50% of the increase for all insurance costs if a contract expires, must be defeated.

It is unfair and strips away important collective bargaining rights. Let them know about the concessions you have made. So, please keep taking the one click action and contact your Senator. We have some time before next week to really make the point to them.  

AFT-NH
Retirement Update
May 5, 2012

RETIREMENT BILL WATCH, WHERE WE STAND

Dear AFT-NH Member,

As both the House and Senate work on closing out everything, they are moving at a fast pace now.  They have until May 17th to report out on all bills. For any bills moving to a Committee of Conference, they have until June 7th.  The  O’Brien led House has many tricks up their sleeves and we have started to see how they will try and hold the Senate hostage.

May 4, 2012

Dear AFT-NH Member,

HB 1206: The Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee on Thursday, May 3, 2012  considered  the recommendation of “Ought to Pass” on HB 1206. However, this motion failed on a vote of 2 to 2, with Senators Larson and Carson voting with us. Because this motion failed, it will go to the full Senate with a recommendation of “Inexpedient to Legislate” (kill the bill) this coming Wednesday, May 9, 2012.

This being said there will be a floor fight to change this recommendation to “Ought to Pass”. It is essential that you contact your State Senator and tell them to support the recommendation of “Inexpedient to Legislate”!

They need to hear from you--- it does make a difference--- Senator Carson said “she could not vote for this bill because all the calls she received to defeat this bill”.  We need to contact these senators now!

HB 1206
Targeting Your Insurance Benefits
You Can Make a Difference-Just One Call ASAP!

AFT-NH
Breaking News Bulletin from the State House
April 25th, 2012

Sneak Attack

Dear AFT-NH Member,

The extreme members of the NH House are throwing a tantrum and today they launched a sneak attack on teachers, police officers, firefighters and municipal workers. Unfortunately they have the majority now with Speaker O’Brien at the helm.

UPDATE and RED ALERT
HB 1206
Targeting Your Insurance Benefits
The Many Ways You Can Make a Difference

April 26th, 2012

AFT-NH
“Union of Professionals”
For Immediate Release    
Contact: Laura Hainey
April 23, 2012
603-661-7293
lhainey@aft-nh.org


Bow, NH- In a statement released today, American Federation of Teachers-NH President Laura Hainey reacted to the news that on Friday evening the Pittsfield Board of Selectmen rescinded their April 10th gag order on public employees’ free speech in their town. Ms. Hainey states, “The April 10th policy passed unanimously by the Board of Selectmen was an illegal intrusion on the free speech of public employees. The Board took the correct action by reversing their written policy.”

AFT-NH is proud to award two (2) $1,000 scholarships for the 2011-2012 academic year. These scholarships will be offered to two (2) graduating seniors who have been accepted at an institution of higher learning for the 2012-2013 academic year.  

Applicant’s parent or guardian must be a current member of AFT-NH.  An official transcript with the appropriate seal must accompany the application.  All applications must be postmarked by June 3, 2012.

Click here to download the application.

AFT-NH
April 22nd, 2012
 
AN UPDATE ON TWO PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

AFT-NH
April 14th, 2012
RED ALERT


HB 1206 Public Hearing this Week
Targeting Your Insurance Benefits

Please contact Senate Executive Department and Administration Committee ASAP!

AFT-NH-RED
ACTION ALERT

Together Fighting For Our Future-Stop The Madness Now!

Right to Work—for less is back!
Scheduled for NH Senate VOTE on April 11th , 2012

URGENT-Member Action Needed
Defeat House Bill 1677

ANOTHER UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE OF HB 2-
THE SO CALLED PENSION REFORM LANGUAGE

Dear AFT-NH Member,

As we face these legislative battles in Concord, we are fortunate to have great allies and partners fighting these battles with us. One of those special partners is “Defending NH Public Education” spearheaded by Bill Duncan.

Bill’s summary of education bills encapsulates where we are in the battle to save public education here in NH. I have provided his update below.

I want to personally thank Bill for his tireless advocacy on behalf of public education here in New Hampshire.

In Solidarity,

Laura Hainey

AFT-NH President

 Dear AFT-NH Member,

The Senate Commerce Committee has scheduled a public hearing on HB 1645 relative to decertification of a bargaining unit and HB 1677 relative to choice as to whether to join a labor union and eliminating the duty of a public employee labor organization to represent employees who elect not to join or to pay dues or fees to the employee organization. These hearings will take place on Wednesday, April 4^th at 9am at the State House in Room 100.

HB 1206 which would increase public employees’ health care costs automatically upon the expiration of a contract has not yet been scheduled. Stay tuned for news on this bill.

We must try and defeat these outrageous bills in the Senate. We know we picked up momentum in the House despite passage. Let’s hope the Senate sees that these bills should be defeated outright!

AFT-NH

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE AND RED ALERT(S)

March 25^th, 2012

Crossover

Dear AFT-NH Member,

It is a whirlwind at the State House. We have almost reached crossover, which means that all remaining House Bills must go over to the Senate and Senate bills must go over to the House. Each side is trying to meet the deadline of March 29^th. We are about halfway through this legislative session. The remaining bills cut across a wide swath of significant public policy matters ranging from education funding, collective bargaining and retirement security. The threats are serious and very real.

AFT-NH –BULLETIN
“FIGHTING FOR OUR FUTURE”
MARCH 14, 2012

Today is a dark day for the well-being of New Hampshire’s middle class and in the history of collective bargaining in the Granite State.  Elected by voters on a platform promising jobs, the New Hampshire House today passed three devastating anti-labor and anti-middle class bills that will gut collective bargaining.  A system that has worked to everyone’s benefit for over 35 years is now to be overthrown.  Just days after “springing forward” into Daylight Savings, under the leadership of Speaker O’Brien the House voted to turn the clock back to the early 1970s if not earlier! We are grateful to those House Republicans and Democrats who are standing strong with us and will be there to help us sustain a veto of these bills.

AFT-NH
“Fighting For Our Future”
March 11, 2012

Public Education Matters and Collective Bargaining Works

As Speaker O’Brien and his extremist allies in the Statehouse continue their assaults on collective bargaining, let’s take a moment to focus upon education.  

AFT-NH
Bulletin from the State Hous
March 8th, 2012

Dear AFT-NH Member,

The House has concluded its work for the week and will resume next Wednesday, March 14th at 9am.  The four anti-union bills that must be defeated are :

• HB 1206 makes it automatic that public employees pay 50% of insurance increases if their contract expires.
• HB 1645 lets the public employer not employees call to decertify the union.
• HB 1677 is Right to Work and eliminating exclusive representation--weakens your union.
• HB 1685 creates new classes of fee payers if 1677 doesn't pass and allows certain positions to be taken out of the bargaining unit.

Together Fighting For Our Future

AFT-NH

Our Challenge

Strip Collective Bargaining Rights? RTW?

Increased Health Care Costs with no bargaining?

Scheduled for NH HOUSE VOTE ON MARCH 7^TH, 2012

AFT-NH

Member Action Needed

Defeat House Bills 1677, 1645, 1685 and 1206

AFT-NH
Legislative Update and Red Alert
March 2, 2012

Dear AFT-NH Member,

Both the House and Senate were on winter break last week. The House reported out on bills in committee and as a result, the March 7th calendar is overflowing with bills. To view the full House calendar which includes the bill and committee reports, please click here.

Dear AFT-NH Member,

The House Special Committee on Pension Reform and the Senate ED&A committee has taken action on many of the retirement related bills before them. The major bill that has yet to go through an Executive Session is SB 229 to establish a Defined Contribution plan, but below is a list of where we are on the bills that have gone through executive session.

Keep in mind that each of these bills will move to a full floor vote, and then off to the other side (either House or Senate) where a public hearing will be held.

The Retirement Security Coalition’s goals are to protect the health and longevity of the New Hampshire Retirement System, and to safeguard the fundamental contractual rights of employees- state, local and retired.

AFT-NH
February 25th, 2012
Legislative Update-Education

“Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future”-President John Fitzgerald Kennedy

AFT-NH
BREAKING NEWS
February 21ST, 2012
Outrageous!


Dear AFT-NH Member,

The House Labor Committee just concluded their work for the day and they have taken the next big step towards dismantling unions in NH.  

AFT-NH
72 hours to g
Act Now
Good Faith?
RED ACTION ALERT
February 18, 2012


Dear AFT-NH Member,

Good faith? Is it good faith for the House Labor Committee in these last days before they take action on bills to consider an amendment that would dishonor your union contracts when they expire and go straight after your negotiated insurance benefits.

Definitely not good faith!

AFT-NH
February 15th, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
RED ALERT

New Amendment Introduced at the State House
Targeting Your Health Care Benefits

Please contact House Labor Committee ASAP

AFT-NH
February 13, 2012
RED ALERT

House Labor Committee Considering
Collective Bargaining and RTW Bills this Week
Please contact House Labor Committee ASAP!

AFT-NH
“Fighting For Our Future”
www.aft-nh.org

Retirement Update
February 8, 2012

NH House Poised to Reject $61.6 Million for NH Schools
Floor Vote on Wednesday, February 8th

Dear AFT-NH Member,

The attacks continue and it was another week filled with a negative agenda at the State House. Every day we are “FIGHTING FOR OUR FUTURE” and will continue to do so until there are legislators that believe in the NH advantage and supporting working class families.

Dear AFT-NH Member,

New Hampshire Retirement System issues have been front and center in Concord this week both in the courts and in the legislature.  For information about the recent Merrimack County Court decision, please visit www.aft-nh.org.

The most sweeping changed this year is Senator Fenton Groen’s bill which would fundamentally change the retirement system forever from the system we know to a contribution plan (401K type plan) versus a defined benefit. This would be a gamble with the pension system for NH’s public employees.

Dear AFT-NH Member,

The ruling on our law suit came out today. Below is a press release we issued today.  Click here to read the decision and the summary is below. Please keep in mind that the NHRSC will be meeting on Monday to review this in more detail and will determine what our next steps should be. I know there will be many questions but we need to give the attorneys time to meet with us and map out our strategy.

In Solidarity,
Laura Hainey
AFT-NH President

AFT-NH
Legislative Update and RED ALERT
January 30, 2012

Dear AFT-NH Member,

The NH Legislature is back and there are currently over 1,000 bills, constitutional amendments and resolutions that have been filed. AFT-NH monitors bills that may impact our membership both directly and indirectly. The RED ALERT bills include the more than dozen bills that either repeal or weaken collective bargaining rights. AFT-NH is a partner with the NH Retirement Security Coalition and retirement bills are also considered a top priority. Remember, many of these changes made by the Legislature are being challenged in Court but we must continue to advocate against gutting our retirement system.

As we focus on the Collective Bargaining (CB) Red Alert bills, we must also monitor these other bills that attack individual employee rights, weaken public education, erode retirement security and alter how contracts are approved at the local level. Remember, that red alert bills require immediate action from our members. The action requested will be outlined with each specific message.

The bills below are organized by topic which usually is reflected by the Committee to which they are referred. Click here to read the full list.

It is indeed sad to report to our members that there are few, if any, bills that we can support.  There is no positive agenda in the Legislature this year to support the middle class. This agenda attacks the cherished tradition of “local control” in our state. The agenda put forth by this extremist group in the NH House led by Speaker O’Brien does nothing to promote jobs, support public education or serve our communities. This is a destructive agenda.

AFT-NH will keep members informed of the status of these bills and the need for action. The most effective way to send a message is a personal note to your representative or a phone call. Please visit www.aft-nh.org to find resources to help you contact your representative(s) and let them know this extremist agenda is not what the people of NH want!

Please join us on Facebook (AFT New Hampshire) for regular updates and posts. Thank you for making a difference every day.

In Solidarity,
Laura Hainey
AFT-NH President

AFT-NH
Legislative Update and RED ALERT
January 22, 2012

AFT-NH

"Fighting For Our Future"
www.aft-nh.org

You Did It!   5500 and counting

Save Collective Bargaining for NH Public Employees

Thursday, January 19th starting at 9:00am

Legislative Office Building, Concord

33 North State Street, Rooms 305-307

House Labor Committee Holds Public Hearings

Dear AFT-NH Member,

I am inviting you to a Telephone Town Hall meeting next Monday, January 23rd, from 6:00pm to 7:00pm to talk about what legislators in Concord are doing with your pension and your retirement.  After passing legislation last year to take more money out of your pay checks, some legislators have now set their sights on dismantling the pension system entirely.

Dear AFT-NH member and allies,

The historic attack on public employees in NH and their right to have a voice in the workplace will be on display on Thursday, January 19th at the State House in Concord.

Make no mistake that Speaker O’Brien and the extreme wing of the NH House will do everything possible to strip away your collective bargaining rights. HB 1645 would eliminate collective bargaining for public employees in NH. HB 1163 would stop voluntary dues deductions.

Please stand up and be counted. Please make every effort to attend the public hearings before the House Labor Committee. The hearings start at 9:00am in Room 307 at the Legislative Office Building. If you can attend for either the entire day or any portion it will be a tremendous help.

Please click here I WILL BE AT THE STATE HOUSE ON JANUARY 19TH to defend collective bargaining rights! Please pass along this email to others and encourage their attendance.

In Solidarity,
Laura Hainey
AFT-NH President

Historic Attack on NH Public Employees
and Union Rights
2012 NH House Bills

The Extreme NH House Agenda

AFT-NH
“Fighting For Our Future”
www.aft-nh.org

SIGN THE PETITION TO SAVE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING FOR NH PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
Defeat HB 1645

AFT-NH
January 5, 2012
EMERGENCY RED ALERT

Introduction of HB 1645
Eliminates Collective Bargaining for Public Employees

Dear AFT-NH Member,

Breaking News:  HB 1645 would repeal collective bargaining for all public employees. The prime sponsor of this bill is Rep. George Lambert of Merrimack. No hearing date has been scheduled but please stay tuned for ongoing red alerts and status updates.  

Dear AFT-NH Member,

We will share many challenges in the upcoming year but I know we can push back the attacks on your collective bargaining rights and middle class families.

AFT-NH members are dedicated to their profession and defending their rights in the workplace.

You shine in everything you do!

Please take a moment to celebrate how you fought back in 2011 by clicking here AFT-NH 2011 Year in Review .  Please also take a moment to click “Like Us” on this facebook page! Let us build our army of activists for the coming year.

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2012!

In Solidarity,

Laura Hainey
lhainey@aft-nh.org
603-661-7293

“Fighting For Our Future”
www.aft-nh.org

Dear AFT-NH Member,

We hope you are enjoying the holidays, relaxing and spending time with family and friends, and looking forward to the New Year.  2012 also brings us another session of the NH state legislature, where Speaker O’Brien and his extreme right-wing gang are already preparing to renew their assault upon labor unions, the middle-class and hard-working New Hampshire families.   This means we need to be prepared to fight back from the start, so here is a preview of what is coming.  Some of it is sad and funny but most of it is dangerous and will need us all working together to put an end to the nonsense in Concord.

Just a moment or two of your time…

Do you know how to contact your state representatives when you need to take action ?

Please take a moment to find the contact information for your legislator(s) by clicking here- FIND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE.

It is quick and easy!

Save the info and you will be ready to take swift action when needed.

We know the extreme anti-worker agenda will continue in the legislature so we need to be prepared!

Please be sure to share with your colleagues, friends and family.

We will need to be heard over and over again this legislative session as we fight to save collective bargaining.  Thank you.

“Fighting For Our Future”
www.aft-nh.org

Can you spare a minute? Let’s be ready for Speaker O’Brien and his extremist agenda!

One small action every day will help prepare us for the assault on middle class families, your right to collectively bargain and have a voice in the workplace.   

Action: Please visit AFT-NH on FACEBOOK and click LIKE US!* Spread the word to all of your Facebook friends. This allows us to provide our members with real time updates and spread the word to community members. *Type in AFT New Hampshire to find us!

“Fighting For Our Future”

www.aft-nh.org

AFT-NH
Retirement Update
December 16, 2011

Over the past several legislative sessions there have been many changes to our state retirement system. Unfortunately, I cannot think of many that were beneficial. As a result of the egregious attacks on the NH public employee pension plan,  AFT-NH and several other unions and stakeholders have filed several law suits. AFT-NH remains an active partner and participant in the NH Retirement Security Coalition. It will take the combined effort of employee groups, stakeholders and members to protect the NH Retirement System as we know it.

AFT-NH
Legislative Update
BREAKING NEWS
November 30th , 2011

VICTORY AT THE STATE HOUSE

AFT-NH locals were asked to wear blue this Friday in support of our Wisconsin brothers and sisters. Click on the title to view the  photo of members of the Nashua Public Library ---- standing up in support! We are One!

AFT-NH is the State Affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers. The AFT has over a million members with over 3,600 members in New Hampshire which include teachers, police officers, support staff, higher education employees and city and town employees. AFT-NH  a member of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO that boasts membership of over 40,000 working men and women.

AFT-NH is the State Affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers.The AFT has over a million members with over 3,600 members in New Hampshire which include teachers, school support staff, police, higher education faculty and town employees.

"AFT-NH, dedicated professionals serving NH individuals and families through collaboration with others, striving to advance NH communities and improve the workplace with integrity and commitment."