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Healthcare workers ask for assurances from experts about COVID-19 vaccines

Unions representing approximately 2 million healthcare workers have called for independent third-party experts to validate any COVID-19 vaccine before they will receive or administer it. In a joint statement, the AFT, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, and the Service Employees International Union said, “Given [the Trump administration’s] record of politicization of public health, it is impossible for us to take or promote any vaccine without additional assurance from independent experts that the approval process has not been tainted. Once they recommend a specific vaccine or vaccines, we will be eager to work with federal, state and local bodies and with the leadership of the healthcare community and the communities we serve and live in to accurately educate the public and promote a fair and effective vaccination program for distributing this desperately needed vaccine.” Read the full press release here.

Strikes and shutdowns

In Los Angeles, UTLA members took to the picket lines because their schools are starved of resources. In Washington, D.C., President Trump has shut down the government to secure his border wall. In her monthly New York Times column, AFT President Randi Weingarten writes that when our elected leaders fail, whether by not funding public schools or by shutting down services that provide for our safety, they strike at the very heart of what makes us a democratic republic. Read the full column.

Struggling in a ‘strong’ economy

In her monthly New York Times column, AFT President Randi Weingarten highlights the massive gap between President Trump’s rhetoric and reality.  While the well-to-do are doing very well in the current economy, working Americans have been left behind. Weingarten demands leaders take action to benefit all Americans by ensuring accessible, affordable healthcare for all; reining in college debt; and adequately funding public education. Read the full column.

Nashua Teachers' Union Press Release on Arming Teachers and Staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CONTACT: Adam Marcoux, President, Office: 603-888-7544 

NTU OPPOSES ARMING TEACHERS AND STAFF 

NASHUA, NH March 21, 2018 – A little more than a month since the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman High School, and most recently, the shooting at Great Mills High School in Maryland, the topics of gun control, school safety, and arming teachers and school staff is still an active conversation. Even with the outpouring of opposition from teachers, staff, students, parents, and Union leadership across the country, the push continues. 

“The Nashua Teachers’ Union Board of Directors is completely opposed to arming any of our teachers or staff in Nashua,” said Adam Marcoux, President of the Nashua Teachers’ Union. The vote to oppose arming teachers and staff, which was unanimous, was taken at the NTU’s monthly meeting earlier this week. “Can you imagine sitting at calendar time or doing a read aloud, sitting next to students, with a loaded gun? We came into education to teach and help students, not be armed guards. I can’t think of a single person in the Nashua School District who wouldn’t think twice about helping and protecting students, but asking them to carry a loaded gun is asking too much.” 

Marcoux went on to say, “we as educators need to be armed with books, school supplies, reasonable class sizes, more guidance counselors and school psychologists, current materials and text books, and more support, not side arms. We don’t have the funds for more teachers, para-educators, guidance counselors, and school psychologists, but we can train and arm school staff? That doesn’t make any sense.” 

“We stand in solidarity with our colleagues from AFT and NEA across the country, opposed to arming teachers and staff. Arm us with pencils, not pistols.”

Nashua Teachers' Union Makes Donation to Toys for Tots

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
CONTACT: Adam Marcoux, President, Office: 603-888-7544 

NTU MAKES DONATION TO TOYS FOR TOTS 

NASHUA, NH December 14, 2017 – Members of the Nashua Teachers’ Union played Santa this month, donating toys for those in need. The Nashua Teachers’ Union held the 2nd Annual Toys for Tots Donation Drive at all 17 city schools over the last month. When all was said and done, the NTU collected 345 toys, games, puzzles, and more for the Toys for Tots Foundation. 

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