PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 9/22/25

Dear Members,

Every right we have as members of our bargaining unit today was won through years of organizing, bargaining, and standing together. Our contract isn’t just a dusty document, it’s a living agreement that protects our time, our pay, our working conditions, and ultimately our students’ learning conditions. But the contract is only as strong as our commitment to know it and defend it.

We will be sending out periodic contract reminders to help you stay informed about what’s in our agreement. The full contract is always available here. If you download the PDF, remember you can search it quickly by pressing Control + F and typing in a keyword. You may be surprised by how much power is already written into the language our members fought hard to secure.

When a violation occurs, we have a grievance process to enforce the agreement, but we need your help. Good documentation and evidence greatly strengthen our ability to enforce the contract. If you think your rights have been ignored, reach out to our staff right away. We are here to walk you through the process and make sure your rights are defended within the short time frame that is available.

You also have Weingarten Rights, which protect you when you’re called into a meeting that might lead to discipline. FEA has issued clear guidance on these rights (see below "Your Rights to Representation").

Our contract is an agreement, not a disagreement. It represents our collective strength and the respect we’ve demanded through years of bargaining. Let’s honor that work by knowing our rights, using them, and defending them every time they’re threatened.

Our strength comes from each and every member. This union is not separate from you, it is you. When we stand together, we have the power to create real change. And if you ever need support, CTA staff is here for you. Give us a call Monday through Friday, 8–5, at 407-298-0756 or email us at orangecta@gmail.com. We are always in your corner.

In Solidarity,

Clinton McCracken, Orange CTA President

"Power concedes nothing without a demand." -Frederick Douglass

CTA HUMANA DENTAL STILL AVAILABLE

There is still time to sign up for CTA Humana Dental.

Visit ctabenefits.com or call 305-613-5192 to enroll!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 9/22/25

BARGAINING

CTA LAST WEEK - TAKING ACTION TOGETHER

CONTRACT REMINDERS

YOUR RIGHT TO REPRESENTATION

CTA MEMBERSHIP GROWTH - STRENGTHENING YOUR UNION

UPCOMING EVENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BARGAINING

The district shared their salary proposal and responses to several of CTA's noneconomic proposals at the bargaining session on Sept. 12. We have not yet reached an agreement. Next bargaining dates are Sept. 24 and Oct. 3. Check the bargaining section of our website and join our Facebook group to keep updated.

We expanded the bargaining process this year and invited each school to have a representative on the Bargaining Committee. Members of this committee help communicate bargaining updates to members at each school and also share information with the smaller Bargaining Team. The next Bargaining Committee meeting update will be on September 24 at 5 pm.

Bargaining involves ALL of us. Every win we’ve ever achieved came from collective action and engagement, not just behind closed doors but through shared strength across every school in the district. When members stay informed, share updates, and take action, we build the momentum that moves the community, the school board, and the district.

LABOR MANAGEMENT UPDATES: We've been advocating on behalf of members and below are several topics we are currently discussing.

Parent Square
School Counselors
Worksites Renovations / Construction
Work Order Tracking Form
Early Release, possible switch to Fridays
Meet the Teacher / Open House
Maternity Leave
Non-classroom teachers' assignments
CFE
Safety Items
Computer Programs
Referendum - CTA is advocating for the one mill to be increased and to be used for salary increases.
MTSS Process
Progress Reports
Involuntary Transfer

CTA LAST WEEK - TAKING ACTION TOGETHER

Members are defending their contract! Last week we filed grievances at a school where SAC members were being added without FAC being involved, others to reduce/remove discipline for members. We also had several members who contacted their CTA Specialist to file a grievance when their administrators required them to attend Professional Development on the Wednesday of Preplanning (a Contract violation). This has now been settled an each member included in this grievance is receiving a planning day. Members included are from Boone HS, Colonial HS, Cypress Creek HS, and Freedom HS.
We assisted Hidden Oaks ES after there was extensive water damage from a burst pipe and drywall repair. There was a lot of dust remaining in several rooms and we reported this to the district and they then sent in a cleanup crew. Teachers were also provide additional TDY time to prepare their classrooms.
We contacted the district to speed up a delay in delivering curriculum materials for Three Points ES. We are continuing to support this school on other issues and are awaiting an update on intercoms/phones.
Frequent contract questions/violations that were addressed via phone and email last week included: Testing Schedule / Evaluation / Academic Freedom / Student Discipline / Certification / Insurance / Planning Time / Recess / Lesson Plans
We’ve now received a $2,000 bill from OCPS for our request to obtain every school’s handbook. Once we receive them, our team will begin reviewing each handbook to identify potential contract violations. As a reminder, we’ve already filed a class action grievance, and the timeline is on hold while we receive and carefully review these documents.
Lead teachers were initially directed to verify grade reports from their colleagues, which violated our Contract. Last week, after CTA addressed the issue with the principal, the direction was rescinded, and lead teachers were informed they would no longer be responsible for this task.
We are visiting 20-25 schools each week to assist members with issues, answer questions, and help build membership.
Last week we assisted numerous members with multiple maintenance issues from lack of air conditioning to mold in classrooms. If your A/C isn't working, be sure to contact us so we can escalate this for you.

CONTRACT REMINDERS

Have a contract concern? If you are a member, contact your CTA Specialist at 407-298-0756 or orangecta@gmail.com.

FACILITATED PLANNING/IMPACT TRAININGS: Attendance for training off campus are not required. While some people find these to be helpful, some people do not. Reach out to your CTA Specialist for support if you are being required to attend. "Attendance at in-service activities off the school campus shall be voluntary except when attendance at such activities is necessary for the implementation of a required program. There shall be no mandatory in-service during the first or final day of preschool planning nor during post-school planning for school-based employees."Article XV. Work Year. F (p. 62)

IEP / 504 - FOUR DAYS: Teachers who prepare IEPs/504s get four days per school year. The days can be done remotely. However, the teacher must be available in case they are needed at the worksite. "Teachers who must prepare 504 and/or Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) shall be provided up to four student contact days per year to perform duties related to said preparation, at times mutually agreeable between the teacher and the administrator. Additional time may be requested. Release time from regular duties shall be provided in reasonable time blocks. A teacher may work remotely on non-student contact days upon mutual agreement with his/her administrator. Requests shall not be unreasonably denied. The administrator must provide the reason for any denial in writing." Article XV. Work Year. G (p. 62)

YOUR RIGHT TO REPRESENTATION

CTA MEMBERSHIP GROWTH - STRENGTHENING YOUR UNION

GROWTH IS HAPPENING BECAUSE OF YOU!: With more new members joining in August than in years past, we’re now at 56% membership density—and getting closer every day to our 60% target. Members don't often join from a text, email, or flyer. They join when other members ask them. YOU are the strength of your union and there is strength in numbers!

CTA MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: All members will receive $35 for every new member that signs up and lists you as the recruiter when they join. All new members also receive $35 when they are fully connected for dues payments. Be on the lookout for an email from "Toasty" as the e-gift card does expire within 30 days.

CONGRATS TO SCHOOLS OVER 60% DENSITY!: (Region A-Green, Region B-Orange, Region C-Purple)

CTA REGIONS A/B/C: This year we have divided the county into three regions, each one assigned their own CTA Specialist. These are loosely based on the school board districts with district 5 split between the three as it is more centrally located. We are holding regional meetings several times during the year both in person and virtually. We encourage members to connect to a region either by where they work or where they live, whichever is more convenient.

SHARE WITH NONMEMBERS-TOP 10 REASONS TO JOIN

YOU ARE THE STRENGTH OF YOUR UNION!

We can accomplish more together than all alone
Stronger collective bargaining power to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions
Contract support for grievance process to protect your rights
Free Professional Development
Amplify your voice for pro-public education policies
CTA members-only benefits (like our new Dental/Vision plans)
FEA, NEA, AFT benefits
Assistance with Evaluation system
Support network and community
Being part of the solution for change instead of passively accepting problems

2025-2026 MEMBERSHIP GOAL: Each school will increase membership by 5% and we will reach 60% in overall membership density.

UPCOMING EVENTS

NEW REGIONAL MEETINGS 9/25: We have created three district subregions to better support members. This first meeting in your region will be in person, and we will host in-person and/or Zoom meetings each quarter. We will be working with ARs in each Region to build the strength of our union. All ARs have a list of each school/worksite and which Region they are in. RSVP HERE!

UNIVERSITY HS: Region A (Mostly East and Southeast and some Central schools)-CTA Specialist Sarah Yelensky

EVANS HS: Region B (Mostly North and Northwest and some Central schools)-CTA Specialist Brian Antoine

BOONE HS: Region C (Mostly South and Southwest and some Central schools)-CTA Specialist David Cintron

COME OUT WITH PRIDE PARADE: Join CTA in celebrating our LGBTQ+ community at Orlando's Come Out with Pride Parade! The parade will take place at Lake Eola on Saturday, October 18. We will be joining with several other unions in our Central Florida Labor Council for our "float". All are welcome, including allies who support the LGBTQ+ community! If you'd like to join us in the parade, be sure to RSVP here so we know how many to expect.

CTA PROFESSIONAL LEARNING:

Finding Strengths: Supporting Students with Disabilities

Participants will use the case-study method to develop appropriate accommodations and modifications to support student access to grade-level academic content. TDY AND SUB ARE COVERED FOR FRIDAY

Date: September 26-27

Time: Fri 8 am - 3 pm, Sat 8 am-12 pm

Location: CTA Office (1020 Webster Ave, Orlando, FL 32804)

UDL: Universal Design for Learning Framework and Guidelines

Are you looking for ways to: design lessons that meet students where they are in the learning process? Anticipate and reduce barriers for students to achieve rigorous goals? Use students’ strengths and interests to drive instruction? Then join us for our next Professional Development course. This interactive module is based on the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) Universal Design for Learning Framework and Guidelines. Participants will build an understanding of neuroscience as a foundation for educating the whole child and designing instruction to best meet the needs of diverse learners. Register today!

Date: October 24-25

Location: CTA Office (1020 Webster Ave, Orlando, FL 32804)

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION ZOOMS: We're excited to launch a new monthly Zoom series for our newest members! These sessions will cover everything you need to know to get connected and empowered, including how to navigate our website, where to find your contract, who your AR is, ways we can support you, and ways you can help strengthen your union. Orientations will be held on the fourth Thursday of each month at 5pm except November and December, when they'll be the third Thursday. New members can RSVP HERE. 10/23, 11/20, 12/18, 1/22, 2/26, 3/26, 4/23

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DO NOT CONNECT YOUR PERSONAL PHONE TO DISTRICT WIFI: We recommend that no one connects their personal phone to district wifi. The district has a management directive that stipulates they can inspect personal devices that connect to the OCPS network. NO DISTRICT EMPLOYEE has the right to confiscate your personal cell phone during testing. Call us and send any emails or other written evidence showing that this is happening.

SAFE SIGNS: Just a reminder that last year, CTA pushed the district to create signs that were more permanent and wouldn't fall off the walls so easily and also have district personnel be responsible for placing them on the wall. Due to state stature, teachers are responsible for ensuring it remains on the wall. Please email your administrator right away if the sticker falls off or is removed. The Commissioner of Education will be enforcing this rule, including the placement of the sign. While members of our bargaining unit are not responsible for the placement, they are still responsible for ensuring the sign is present. Remember, documenting all safety concerns is key. Email us at orangecta@gmail.com if you have any questions, especially if you believe the placement is in an unsafe place. We can request someone to come reevaluate the placement.

Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15-Oct. 15: CTA proudly celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of our Hispanic and Latino members, students, families, and communities. Together, we recognize the strength that diversity brings to our classrooms, our union, and public education. We've compiled resources you can use in your classroom to help you engage your students on this important topic.

Hispanic Heritage Month Videos from AFT's Share my Lesson
Hispanic Heritage Month Activities and Lesson Plans from AFT's Share my Lesson
Hispanic Heritage Month Educational Resources from Smithsonian National Institute of the American Latino

We also encourage you to have your students participate in the Florida Department of Education's Hispanic Heritage Month contest. Students in grades K-3 are invited to participate in an art competition, and students in grades 4-12 are invited to participate in an essay competition. Learn more about these competitions here.

FINANCIAL REPORT: As required by 447.305(11) F.S., an employee organization that has been certified as a bargaining agent must provide to its members an annual financial report prepared by an independent certified public accountant. On the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association website, members can access the financial statement that was included in our union’s most recent registration renewal by navigating to https://www.orangecta.com/for-members/financial-statement/

SCHOOL VISITS/CONGRATULATIONS!: We are visiting several schools each week to check in and offer support, answer questions, and help sign up new members to strengthen our union at your worksite. We also have schools with a membership density above 80% and want to wish you a huge congratulations! This happens when members talk to colleagues about why they are members and encourage our colleagues to join with us in our fight for a better life.

REFINGERPRINTING PROJECT: Re-fingerprinting is mandated by Florida Senate Bill 676 (2023). This legislation requires all Florida school districts to recapture fingerprints for existing employees to ensure compliance with updated state standards. All current employees of Florida school districts are required to undergo re-fingerprinting as part of this statewide compliance effort. The re-fingerprinting process is provided at no cost to employees and will be performed by a member of the HR Compliance Fingerprinting Team.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

CLARIFICATION REGARDING DISTRICT EMAIL ON AUTONOMY: Our contract guarantees individual teacher autonomy while following the standards and protects your daily uninterrupted planning time—no PLCs/Collaborative Teams, 504s/IEPs, team meetings, or other meetings can be required during this daily time. Collaboration is valuable when it’s voluntary and student-centered, not when it’s used to impose identical pacing or common assessments that are designed for district purposes. Your union is here to support you at orangecta@gmail.com or 407-298-0756. The district really should spend more time and energy creating a culture where teachers are respected for their expertise and professionalism, and less time pressuring them into compliance with district desires. We will continue to fight for you every day and push the district to begin respecting you as professionals. We will also continue to defend our contract when it is violated.

CTA COMMITTEES: Interested in becoming more involved with your union? We invite members to sign up for the committees listed below! This is a great way to connect, organize, and build solidarity with other members. Committees meet monthly on Zoom. Sign up HERE and we'll reach out with more information.

FYRE (Florida Young Remarkable Educators): FYRE continuously engages and empowers diverse teams of early career educators through training, collaboration, networking and opportunities to experience their union in action — giving a voice to new members with which to advocate for their students, their union and their profession.
Government Relations
Howard Fenner Scholarship
Marion Cannon Scholarship
Ulysses Floyd Scholarship
Human and Civil Rights
Minority Affairs

MEMBERS ONLY FACEBOOK GROUP: Remember that our members-only Facebook Group is the ONLY group affiliated with your Union. Be sure you are getting accurate information when asking questions online. We have seen inaccurate information in other places. Also, while anonymous posting is currently an option, remember that CTA staff are unable to fix any concerns when they’re posted in the group. For assistance from staff, you must email or call the office. We often see contract violations in comments but can’t file a grievance to resolve it if you don’t contact us directly. You can also file a class action grievance and remain anonymous, but again, that must be done by contacting the office.

NEW DIGITAL MEMBER GUIDE: We are excited to share your new 2025-2026 Member Guide school year is now digital. Live links are embedded throughout the guide to help you access the information you need. Find information on Union Benefits, Calendar, Contract FAQs, Bargaining, Social Media Info, Ways to Get Involved, Association Rep Info, CTA Board Info, and more!

NEWLY ELECTED FLORIDA AFL-CIO SECRETARY/TREASURER: Congratulations to CTA Vice President Maira Rivera on her election as Florida AFL-CIO Secretary/Treasurer! Union workers from across the state gathered this past weekend for the Florida AFL-CIO Biennial Convention, where Maira was chosen for this important role. She is a steadfast unionist who fights forward every day to ensure working people are respected, valued, and empowered through the rights we win by joining together in our union.

Congratulations also to newly elected Florida AFL-CIO President Kimberly Holdridge and to CTA President Clinton McCracken and all others across the state who were elected to serve on the Florida AFL-CIO Executive Board.

LABOR MOVEMENT HISTORY

"Throughout our history, the labor movement has accomplished a lot. If you get weekends off or overtime pay, thank the union members who fought for those rights. None of our movement’s achievements would have happened without the effort, organization and advocacy of our brothers and sisters. But injustice still runs amok. We must look to the past not only for inspiration, but for the tools we need to continue the fight. The roots of the problems we face today can be found in our past. So can the beginnings of the solutions we need for our future. The labor history timeline highlights the key events and the people who helped bring about radical changes in the workplace and society." Click HERE for a timeline from the AFL-CIO.

CTA BENEFITS

NEW CTA DENTAL/VISION: NEW Optional CTA Member Benefits Are Here! — available to members at special rates. Visit ctabenefits.com or call 305-613-5192 to enroll. Optional benefits include:

CTA MEMBERS SAVING THOUSANDS!: Don't miss out on your chance to save significantly on your homeowners insurance. We have many members who are saving thousands each year currently.

Contact ctabenefits.com or call 305-613-5192 to enroll. Optional benefits include:

Dental & Vision
Aflac (Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, BenExtend)
Disability Insurance
Life and Long-Term Care
Cosmetic/elective coverage (fertility, weight loss, medspa, and more)
Legal Protection & ID Theft
Pet Insurance
Auto & Home Insurance

Online Courses for Educators: As a new school year starts, FEA has partnered with Lake Superior State University (LSSU) and VESi to offer members an annual subscription, which allows you to complete up to 9 semester hours online non-matriculated graduate (transcript) credit for $275, with no additional costs. This is an exclusive offer for FEA members.

FEA members can access 35 online courses covering topics like building school communities, student behavior, classroom management, elementary/secondary math concepts, reading & writing, and more. You can learn online are your own pace and from the convenience of your own home! 

You must be an FEA member to be eligible for this course subscription program. You may access the registration page by logging in to the FEA member side of the website, which will provide additional information about this benefits program.

Other benefits through CTA include:

THE NEA TRAVEL PROGRAM: This is a free benefit for NEA members. Receive exclusive deals and discounts, saving you up to 60% on hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more. Plus earn NEA Travel Dollars to use like cash along the way and help you save even more (1 credit = 1 USD). New to the program? Enroll for free today and earn $500 Travel Dollars on NEA! Valid for one year and replenished annually.

CTA SOCIAL MEDIA: Click to join the CTA Members FB group (the only official CTA FB Group). “Like” CTA’s public FB Page HERE to see posts in your feed. Follow Instagram, Threads, Bluesky @orangecta.

FREE CTA MEMBER T-SHIRT: Members click HERE to order your T-Shirt if you haven’t yet received one.

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