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.
Welfare Fund Donations
While the SFT leadership and all of you are fighting on the political level, there is something else we can do to directly support our hurting members. I have already received an outpouring of offers to support those laid off from people within and outside our district. The SFT will be using our Welfare fund in the weeks ahead to assist those laid off and will happily receive any donations into that fund if you feel so moved to donate. Regardless of whether it is a paraprofessional or a teacher impacted by lay off, the days ahead will be difficult for these members. They are single parents and sole income earners, they are members in need of medical care for newly diagnosed illnesses, they are people with college bills and new mortgages. Please consider even the smallest contribution to the SFT's Welfare Fund. It will go directly to these individuals. I'm extremely grateful to those of you who have stepped up already to initiate donation drives on behalf of these members.
Welfare fund checks can be made to: SFT Attn: Welfare fund
Schenectady Federation of Teachers 740 Union Street Schenectady, NY 12305
Or donate electronically with PayPal
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.
