​Welcome to your union.

​We, the dedicated educators of the New Haven Federation of Teachers, continue to demonstrate the impact that compassionate and creative professionals have on our schools and our communities. The changes and challenges that we have encountered over the last few years have not stopped us from working together to meet the needs of our students. It has been an honor to work with our Executive Board, delegates, building stewards, and rank and file members this year. I am eager to continue what we have started by centering three main principles in our work. 

1. Our working conditions are our students’ learning conditions. Given this connection, we take our role as a union seriously. We will advocate for the protections and the resources that teachers need so we can do the jobs we have been hired to do. Without improving our working conditions, which includes salary and benefits, our students will continue to be unfairly impacted by the teacher shortage crisis. Every NHPS student deserves a certified teacher in their classroom.
2. Teachers' Voices Matter! We will fight for the schools our students deserve. Teachers and professionals who work to support our students every day understand what schools need. And we know by having a seat at the table where decisions are made, we will be able to share our insight and expertise to ensure our students’ needs are met. Not only will we advocate at the school level to ensure our voices are heard, but we will continue to organize and mobilize in our city and state for the respect and fair funding that our school communities deserve.        
3. Our union is not just our elected leaders. Each of us makes up the union. We are the union! Yes, we are here to support our members, and to provide answers and resources when needed. We also want to see our members strengthen our union by advocating for ourselves and each other. Our strength depends on our collective engagement and participation. We will continue to share concrete ways our members can get more involved. And we will continue to listen and be responsive to the needs and concerns of our members. Our union is stronger with you in it!​​

Thank you for your service to New Haven’s children and families. I hope to see each of you in the weeks and months to come - at school, at our union hall, at a board meeting, at a march, or at the State Capitol. There is a place for all of us in this work. And we have only just begun!  ​

​​In solidarity,

​Leslie Blatteau
President, New Haven Federation of Teachers 
September 2022
​
lblatteau@nhft933.org

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