MEA-MFT COPE recommends Monica Lindeen for state auditor 01/30/2012
“Monica Lindeen has an impressive record of standing up for Montana citizens, protecting them from investment fraud, Ponzi schemes, and abuses by some insurance and securities companies,” said COPE member Janice Muller, a teacher in Hamilton.
The latest on our pay plan ULP 01/24/2012
The Board Personnel Appeals (BOPA) took no action on the unions' regarding unfair labor practice charge on the state pay plan. The unions and the legislature both filed new briefs Jan. 24, 2012.
Sensible solutions for state pensions 01/19/2012
Our public employee retirement systems are not going bankrupt today or tomorrow or in the immediate future. We have plenty of time to address unfunded liabilities if our legislature would abandon pension-envy politics and hysterical, too predictably partisan, rhetoric.
MEA-MFT Regional Training, Great Falls 01/18/2012
Are you an MEA-MFT member living in North Central Montana? Want to learn more about your contract, bargaining basics, making your local union all it can be, and more? Want to meet fellow MEA-MFT members from around the region? Then this is for you.
MEA-MFT COPE recommends Jon Tester 01/17/2012
“He’s right on education, right on public services, right on jobs, and right on the rights of working people to bargain collectively. He has a strong track record on all these issues.”
Dr. King, education, public service, & labor unions 01/13/2012
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated his life to working for a more just and equal society. He believed that public education was the great arm of justice. He honored public servants as heroes. He believed in labor unions.
Sign petition in support of Head Start 12/16/2011
Funding for 2012 is still undecided, so now is the time to make Congress aware of the power of Head Start for children, families and communities. You can make a difference!
The money was there all along 12/06/2011
It's official: state revenues are even higher than the highest predictions. "The money was there all along to thaw state employee pay, to invest in k-12 and higher education, to build infrastructure and create good paying jobs, to avoid passing unavoidable costs down to local property tax payers and students.
Ohio voters crush attack on collective bargaining 11/09/2011
Congratulations to our brothers and sisters in Ohio! In a landslide victory, Ohio voters voted down a bill that would severely curtail the collective bargaining rights of public employees.
Nominate for presidential excellence awards 11/04/2011
Do you know a great Montana science or math teacher, teaching in grades K-6, with 5 or more years of professional teaching experience? Nominate him or her for this $10,000 award.
MSU-Bozeman members ratify first contract 10/31/2011
The vote is in, and history has been made: Members of the Associated Faculty of
Montana State University (AFMSU) have ratified their first collective bargaining agreements. Members voted on the agreements Wednesday, Oct. 26. The vote was counted today at MSU.
Grants for science fair teachers 10/28/2011
The Billings section of the Society of Petroleum Engineers has announced a new grant program designed to encourage more students to attend Montana’s regional and state science fairs.
MEA-MFT works with regents to priority salaries 10/11/2011
MEA-MFT has worked extensively with the regents and Commissioner of Higher Education Sheila Stearns to put university and faculty salaries first. “Montana faculty salaries already are among the lowest in the nation,” said Tom Burgess, MEA-MFT’s field consultant for higher education locals.
Workplace bullying resources 09/12/2011
MEA-MFT Faculty Member of the Year Grant Mitman recommends the following resources on workplace bullying, from a special session at this year's NEA Representative Assembly.
Who do you "heart" this Labor Day? 08/29/2011
This Labor Day, let your family, friends and the public know that you support America's workers and the important work they do all year.
National poll shows strong support for teachers 08/17/2011
Americans admire and respect public school teachers more than ever. They respect the teaching profession, they like their local schools, and they recognize the role funding plays in school qualtiy.
Denise Juneau leads rebellion against NLCB 08/15/2011
Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau recently took on the U.S. Dept. of Education and the supremely flawed No Child Left Behind law -- and won.
Americans want jobs, not cuts to Social Security & Medicare 08/12/2011
The American Dream movement is busy this summer telling Congress what Americans really want when it comes to government spending and the economy. There’s a Contract For The American Dream that lays out a progressive alternative to austerity policies.
2011 Golf Scramble winners! 08/07/2011
A gorgeous day and good times were had by all at the 8th annual Montana Professional Teaching Foundation Golf Scramble August 4, 2011.
Montana Schools of Promise 08/07/2011
Montana Superintendent Denise Juneau has taken on a huge task, but if anyone can lead Montana toward real schools of promise, she can. And MEA-MFT will help every step on the way.
ALEC outed: the right-wing conspiracy behind bad bills 08/04/2011
Who's behind efforts to destroy public employee unions in Wisconsin and elsewhere, shove right-wing legislation through state legislatures, and turn over public services to for-profit corporations? Meet ALEC.
The debt ceiling deal: our take 08/02/2011
MEA-MFT is evaluating exactly how badly the newly adopted federal deficit/debt ceiling act will impact Montana public programs and services.
Unnecessary cuts hard to forget 07/22/2011
As we begin this fiscal new year, it’s a good time to think about what your state legislators are working toward: Long-term prosperity for Montana? Or pulling the rug out from under those trying to make a better life for themselves and their communities?
Unions key to reviving the middle class, Krugman says 07/12/2011
Many of the remedies being misapplied to the nation's ailing economy are nothing more than public policy myths that grew out of the oil-shock recessions of 40 years ago, Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman told an AFT TEACH conference audience on July 11.
New resource guide for paraeducators 06/21/2011
The Montana Office of Public Instruction recently completed a new Resource Guide for Paraeducators. Several MEA-MFT members worked on this revision.
MEA-MFT 2011 Legislative Voting Record 06/20/2011
The grades are in for the 2011 Montana Legislature. How did your legislators do on our issues? Read the MEA-MFT 2011 Legislative Voting Record and find out.
Pay plan update 06/16/2011
Montana's executive branch responds to the Unfair Labor Practice charge filed by MEA-MFT and our fellow unions.
Yep, the money was there 06/15/2011
All through the 2011 session, MEA-MFT said the money was there to fund public education and public services. And it was. Every dollar of destructive cuts made by the 2011 Legislature were completely unnecessary.
Keep the Rally Alive! 06/04/2011
Please help keep the spirit of our April 1 No Fooling with our Future Rally strong!
Denise Juneau vs NCLB 05/12/2011
Montana's Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau recently drew a line in the sand with the No Child Left Behind Act.
Green Campus Program 05/06/2011
Alumni of the Alliance to Save Energy’s Green Campus program, which employs student interns to promote energy efficiency on college campuses, often pursue careers in sustainability, according to a recent Alliance survey.
State pay plan: what next 05/05/2011
The Republican-dominated legislature killed HB 13, the state employee pay plan, during the 2011 legislative session. Let them know what you think.
Session over 05/02/2011
The 2011 Montana Legislature has finally ground to a halt. Final bill status report
How high are taxes? 04/30/2011
Despite the outcry from conservatives about taxes, tax collections are in fact at historic lows and tax rates for the rich have been declining for years.
Victory on teacher tenure! 04/27/2011
The House rejected SB 315 (Ripley) - a bill to redefine good cause and truncate due process in the teacher tenure statutes.
House rejects state pay plan again 04/21/2011
The Montana House voted to reconsider the state pay plan, HB 13, today. Then, following heated debated, the bill died on second reading, 42-58.
Jim McGarvey to retire 04/19/2011
im McGarvey, executive secretary of the Montana State AFL-CIO and former MEA-MFT vice president, announced plans to retire this week.
Help pass the jobs bill 04/18/2011
Apr. 18 - Today, the only real jobs bill – HB 439 (Hollenbaugh) - is up for what could be its final vote, in the House. It must receive at least 67 or a 2/3ds vote. You can help.
Veto branding begins 04/13/2011
Several MEA-MFT members, governance, and staff walked across the street from MEA-MFT's headquarters office in Helena to attend Governor Schweitzer's branding party today.
Teacher tenure attack still in play 04/13/2011
For the second time, the Montana House has passed consideration of SB 315 (Ripley), the attack on teacher tenure. Your e-mails are working. Keep it up!
Budget cut battle 04/12/2011
Apr 13 - Where the budget battles stands now. All cuts hurt!
HB603 tabled! 04/11/2011
Great news: HB 603, the insidious school privatization bill, was tabled Apr. 11. SB 315 remains and needs your URGENT ACTION.
Retirement bill status 04/11/2011
MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver is quoted extensively in the two newspaper articles below. MEA-MFT has worked hard, every day, in this legislative session to protect our members' public employee defined benefit plans.
Rep. Assembly report 04/06/2011
The largest MEA-MFT Representative Assembly (RA) in history took place in Helena April 1-2. More than 350 delegates attended, representing 97 MEA-MFT locals.
MEA-MFT Members of the Year 04/06/2011
More than 350 MEA-MFT members from across Montana honored three of their peers at a gala celebration in Helena April 1.
Vets Home saved for 3rd time 04/04/2011
Once again, MEA-MFT and our members have stopped an attempt to close and privatize the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.
Putting a face on the budget cuts 03/29/2011
MEA-MFT is part of a coalition called the Partnership for Montana's Future, which just completed a video that puts a face -- many faces, actually -- to the Montana Legislature's needless budget cuts. Take a look.
School funding bill dies 03/24/2011
The Senate has killed SB 403 (Jones) – the latest k-12 school funding bill. Schools contemplate layoffs due to legislative gridlock.
Dangerous: HB 603 03/24/2011
HB 603 is one of the most dangerous school privatization bills ever introduced.
No Fooling w/our Future Rally Apr. 1 03/23/2011
At least a thousand Montanans from all over the state are expected to attend the rally against the legislature's senseless cuts to state services and education. Join us April 1 for the rally!
A lesson in character 03/17/2011
I am a conservative husband, belong to the Tea Party and I voted for John Kasich. I have been married to a Cleveland teacher for almost 14 years, and my vote let her down.
Wisconsin GOP strips worker rights 03/10/2011
March 9 - In a blatant abuse of power, Wisconsin Republican lawmakers dealt a blow to the working class tonight with passage of the anti-union provisions of Gov. Walker’s Budget Adjustment Bill on an 18-1 vote.
The money IS there 02/24/2011
Legislatiave Fiscal Analyst says the State of Montana will collect $97 million more in revenues over the next 2½ years than he projected in mid-November. Yet still the majority party insists on draconian cuts.
The anti-union agenda 02/24/2011
These two editorials speak to a phenomenon we're seeing in Montana too – and MEA-MFT is fighting back.
Attack on tenure passes 02/23/2011
SB 315 passed weakens Montana's tenure laws for teachers for no good reason. We'll keep fighting it.
MT Teacher of the Year tells all 02/10/2011
MEA-MFT member and Montana 2011 Teacher of the Year Paul Andersen spoke to the Montana Legislature Feb. 9 about his ideas for improving education. Wow!
State budget cuts now over $1 billion! 02/07/2011
As of Feb. 3, 2011, the Republicans who control the Montana Legislature have made cumulative decisions that will cut the next state budget $1.3 billion below the governor's proposed budget.
Governor lauds value of education 01/31/2011
Governor Brian Schweitzer said it all when he spoke about public education during his State of the State address Jan. 25:
"The best path to a higher paying job is a good education. If you choose to cut funding for public education, you do so as a reflection of your values, because we have the money in the bank." Listen for yourself.
Montanans rally against cuts 01/31/2011
More than 100 people from around Montana rallied Jan. 28 against legislative committees’ cuts to budgets for education and health and human service programs.
Day of Action a great success 01/18/2011
Nearly 100 state and university employees from across Montana participated in our Work That Matters Day of Action, Jan. 17, 2011.
Job-killing move at the legislature 01/12/2011
Jan. 10 - In a job-killing move, majority Republicans at the 2011 Legislature voted to chop some $500 million from Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer's proposals for the next two-year period.
Super classroom creativity: Montana style 01/11/2011
Public school teachers are some of the most creative folks on the planet. MEA-MFT asked some of our teacher/members for examples of innovative teaching, and we received dozens of replies. Here are a few of them. Move over, Superman.
Congratulations, NBC teachers! 01/11/2011
Seven more Montana teachers – all MEA-MFT members -- recently joined the ranks of the nation’s top certified teachers.
Open season on teachers: Waiting for Superman 01/02/2011
Teacher bashing sank to new depths this fall with the release of Waiting for “Superman,” a film that claims to analyze the failures of the American public school system.
"Superman" critics speak out 01/02/2011
Across the nation, educators and others are pointing out the foibles in the film "Waiting for 'Superman.'" Here are some examples:
Health insurance shocker 04/07/2010
Some MEA-MFT members in the MUST insurance plan will see huge increase in rates. Montana Sen. Jon Tester pleads our case before Congress. Read message from MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver and watch Sen. Tester's testimony.
Work That Matters campaign 04/06/2010
MEA-MFT's Work That Matters campaign for public employees is back: MEA-MFT celebrates with help from a special national guest.
Nominate now: 2011 Montana Teacher of the Year 04/04/2010
MEA-MFT's Montana Professional Teaching Foundation and Office of Public Instruction are accepting nominations for the 2011 Montana Teacher of the Year. Deadline for nominations is May 28.
10th annual MEA-MFT Representative Assembly 03/27/2010
Your union, your voice! Hundreds of locally elected MEA-MFT members will gather to determine budget, dues, and priorities for their state union -- AND to celebrate MEA-MFT's 10th anniversary. Read more.
Great Falls teachers 'take one' 03/04/2010
Great Falls teachers 'take one.' With support from MEA-MFT and its Montana Professional Teaching Foundation, 18 Great Falls teachers are pioneering a new approach to National Board Certification.
Karen Cox Memorial Grants awarded 01/13/2010
Billings teacher Karen Cox, one of Montana’s great educators, lost her life doing what she loved: working to improve public education. The Montana Professional Teaching Foundation created the Karen Cox Memorial Grant Awards in her honor.
Crisis in Haiti 01/13/2010
We are all heartsick about the devastation wreaked by this week’s earthquake in Haiti. Thousands of children have been killed and scores more are desperate for medical care and food, while thousands of men and women stand helplessly by. You can help
MEA-MFT to U.S. Education Secretary 10/29/2009
Race to the Top? MEA-MFT and other education leaders have serious misgivings about the Obama Administration's proposed grant guideslines.
AFT's new e-newsletter for higher ed members. 10/08/2009
he American Federation of Teachers, one of MEA-MFT's two national affiliates, has created a new e-newsletter dedicated to the AFT’s Faculty and College Excellence (FACE) campaign and other issues related to academic staffing in higher education.
UM members settle contract 10/07/2009
Oct 7, ’09 - After more than ten months of bargaining, MEA-MFT members in the University Faculty Association (University of Montana) have a tentative agreement for a new collective bargaining agreement.
College shopping? 07/28/2009
College shopping? Check out YOUniversityTV, a new web site that allows its users to visit more than 400 top four-year colleges across the U.S.
Stimulus money for education 07/27/2009
Stimulus money for education: How President Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding can benefit education programs. (A resource from the National Head Start Association.)
Obama plan to help two-year colleges. 07/15/2009
Leaders for Montana’s two-year colleges applauded President Barack Obama’s proposal to pump $12 billion into community colleges nationally, with one calling it the most significant news in two-year education in several generations.
MEA-MFT battles privatization. 06/03/2009
MEA-MFT brings suit against the Montana Department of Corrections to require it to follow state law before outsourcing work that has historically been performed by public employees.
Million dollar men 05/01/2009
MEA-MFT members at UM Western win major grants for biomedical research.
MSU-Bozeman faculty vote to join MEA-MFT! 04/14/2009
April 14, 2009 - “MEA-MFT is proud to welcome our newest members and local bargaining units, the Associated Faculty of Montana State University in Bozeman,” said MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver today.
Walking the line 05/29/2006
Correctional Officers at Montana State Prison keep us safe, despite tough conditions.