News

The SVFT thanks the Cheney Tech Welding and Metal Fabrication Department Head, Mr. Robert Cullen, Instructor, Ms. Kathleen McGirr, and all of the students responsible for fabricating a piece of art, otherwise known as a decorative front balcony and stair rail. A truly a beautiful accent piece added to the front of the SVFT union house. Vocational education - lending itself to creativity, imagination, and reaching the top of the Bloom's chart.

Dear Colleagues,

I am honored to announce that our SVFT member, Jim Cardin, has won AFT’s Every Day Hero Award. Thank you to everyone who supported Jim, and cast a vote to help him win this well-deserved award! Jim epitomizes the spirit of public service, camaraderie and compassion, and inspires us all to reclaim the promise in our chosen fields and in our communities.

Jim received the official news at a union meeting, held at Windham Tech on Monday, April 28th. Jim's wife, daughters, Windham Tech family, and SVFT officers were present to congratulate Jim on his award. Fittingly, this all

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"In unity there is strength. We can move mountains when we're united. Without unity, we are victims" - Bill Bailey

CLUW Members and Friends,

During the State of the Union, President Obama issued a compelling call for a nation that is more family friendly and fair. We know you agree and we were pretty happy to hear him endorse the principle that CLUW and our coalition partners have been working toward!

America needs the FAMILY Act to guarantee that people have paid leave when they need to care for new children, recover from serious illness, or care for

Recap of the joint hearing that took place before the holidays and SDE’s report:

http://www.ctmirror.org/story/2013/12/30/funding-cap-slows-ct-vo-tech-schools-growth

Just a reminder that Monday, August 26, 2013 is our first day back to school.  The students will arrive on Wednesday after we spend two days developing professionally.  The SVFT leadership wishes everyone a fantastic school year.

The SVFT was well represented at the 2013 AFT TEACH Conference in Washington, D.C.  

Eight members were able to attend the three-day event that included workshops and trainings and also apperances by AFT's national officers and special guests that inspired the more than 2000 attendees from across the country. 

Look for more details in the September newsletter.

Here is a summary of the Second Circuit Court's decision in the lawsuit SEBAC filed against Former Governor John Rowland in a response to the layoffs of only unionized workers in 2003.  Click Here

The 2013 legislative session in Hartford brought some victories and some losses for AFT-Connecticut and its affiliates.  Click the link below for a summary of the legislative session.

Click Here

Apprenticeship programs are making a comback across the country.  Click here for details.

Pride @ Work Conference

By Valerie Stewart, Instructor, CT Aero Tech School

A record number of national union leaders joined LGBT activists and allies at the Pride at Work Triennial Convention in Cleveland, Ohio recently. Among the union leaders who called for equal rights at the convention were Veda Shook, International President of the Association of Flight Attendants; Lee Saunders, President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT); Augusta Thomas, National Vice President of the