The Schenectady Federation of Teachers, Local 803, is a union of professionals representing more than 800 teachers, 300 paraprofessionals and numerous retired members of the Schenectady City School District. Our goal is to provide practical means for protecting and advancing the best interests of our members; to promote the welfare of the children of Schenectady and to raise the standards of the teaching profession in Schenectady. The SFT is affiliated with NYSUT, AFT, NEA and the AFL-CIO. President of the Schenectady Federation of Teachers is Juliet Benaquisto serving from the 2006-2007 school year to present.
Jan. 2020 Elections It is time to elect the NYSUT Representative Assembly convention delegates and AFT Convention Delegates for 2020. The NYSUT RA is May 1-2, 2020 in Albany, NY. AFT’s Convention is July 27-30th, 2020 in Houston, Texas. Members need to be nominated separately for these conventions. All members who have been members for at least one year and are currently in good standing (current dues paid) are eligible to run in the election for NYSUT and AFT delegates. In addition to attending the NYSUT RA delegates are expected to attend Election District 12 meetings, and ED 11, 12, & 45 Contiguous meetings throughout their one-year delegate term. The SFT President is the automatic lead delegate and we are eligible to elect an additional 11 delegates. Nominations on the attached appropriate nomination form are due by January 26, 2020 to the SFT Office. The nomination process will officially be closed at the January 27, 2020 Building Directors meeting. The election of delegates for both conventions will occur in February. Nominations forms must be sent and must be received in the office by January 26, 2020.
The Schenectady Federation of Teachers Attention: Election Committee/Krista Hawk 740 Union St. Schenectady, NY 12305 If you have any questions please see your SFT Building Directors for additional information or for a copy of the nomination form. Official Nomination Form RA Delegate 2020 Official Nomination Form AFT Delegate 2020 In solidarity, Juliet C. Benaquisto
Join the SFT Teacher or Paraprofessional Sick Bank Today! The SFT’s Teacher and Paraprofessional sick banks are a wonderful benefit available only through your SFT membership. Experiencing catastrophic illness and accidents can be devastating in many ways. At a time when you need your salary and health benefits the most, they are lost if you run out of your own accumulated sick leave. As a member of either the SFT’s Teacher or Paraprofessional Sick Bank, one’s salary and health insurance benefits can be protected for up to a period of 90 days per school year. (Medical documentation must be presented when days are requested.)
*It is important to note that the sick bank is not typically used in the cases of absences related to childbirth and days from the bank are only available to a member for their own illness.
Enrolling is a simple process. Building directors have received forms at the September 24th Building Directors meeting. Joining requires the donation of two sick days into the bank in the first year of membership and one day per year in subsequent years. The enrollment period will continue through December 31, 2019. ***Members who have already enrolled do not need to enroll again. ***Anyone who wants to be removed from the bank may send a letter stating this to the SFT Sick Bank (Indicate Teachers or Paraprofessionals), 740 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12305.
