The Laker/Lutz News recently published a great profile on USEP President Kenny Blankenship, and you should check it out if you haven’t already! In the article Kenny explains his union roots, why protecting individual planning time for teachers is a union priority, and how the legislature has repeatedly failed to deliver on promises to support public
Read moreUSEP and District instructional bargaining teams met again last night and the Union passed our initial “Economic Proposal†. The USEP proposal incorporated components, now required by state law (Senate Bill 736), that requires teachers on Annual Contracts to be compensated on a performance pay basis and allows for teachers with Professional Service (PSC) or
Read moreUSEP and the District reached a tentative agreement last night on two significant pieces of contract terms.  The District agreed to the Union’s proposal and planning time by agreeing to increase overall and individual planning time for teachers by 50 minutes each week.  This means teachers will have 300 overall minutes of planning each week
Read moreJoin USEP and the Pasco Young Educators on Wednesday, September 24th for a Share My Lesson Open House! This is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow educators and to learn about how you can get involved with your union. Light refreshments will be served throughout the event, and representatives from AFT Share
Read moreThe District has made it clear it wants to eliminate the negotiated Early Retirement Benefit for current employees, not those who are already retired and receiving the benefit. Years ago USEP negotiated the early retirement benefit to help reduce the penalty FRS imposes for employees who have not reached age 62 or who have 30
Read moreOn Tuesday, September 02, USEP and District leaders to discuss this year’s priorities in this year’s contract negotiations.  The meeting did not bring the sides closer to a speedy agreement. The District continues to seek restrictions and limitations driving their push to teacher transfers, elimination of tobacco use on district properties, eliminating the Early Retirement benefit,
Read moreIt’s deja vu all over again. After committing to a 2 percent pay increase for teachers and school related Personnel (SRP) this year, the District is backpedalling offering barely 1 percent for employee salary increases, and that’s only if USEP agrees to eliminate early retirement incentives! This comes after five years with no pay increases
Read moreUSEP and District negations quickly turned sour when the District stonewalled USEP proposals and sought major restrictions on teacher transfer rights and illness/injury on the job leave time. The District is also proposing to eliminate National Board Certification reimbursement and is resisting signing non-controversial Memorandums of Understanding that have been signed for years. Further, District
Read moreContract negotiations began in earnest this week with the Union and District teams (Instructional and SRP) holding our first meetings. The Instructional team met on Monday, and the SRP team on Wednesday afternoon. Everyone involved entered this summer’s negotiations on a positive note, agreeing that there is much to accomplish over the next couple of
Read moreFinding ways to keep students motivated over summer break is a challenge every teacher faces at the end of the year. To help, AFT Share My Lesson has hand-picked some great resources for you to use in your classroom as you wrap up the school year and look ahead. The lesson plans and reading projects
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21322 Lake Patience Road
Land O' Lakes, FL 34638
If you are an employee of Pasco County Schools and not already a member of USEP, consider joining today! Members are eligible for a wide range of benefits through our affiliates and benefit partners. USEP also provides members with professional development opportunities and representation for member issues.