Fairfax County
Federation of Teachers

Our Goal, Vision & Commitment

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Take Action, Build Power, Learn 

Welcome New FCPS Employees

I’d like to welcome you to a new school year!

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As the new president of the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers, it is my honor to work towards meeting our union goals.  As an introduction, I am a twelve-year educator with Fairfax County.  I taught at Keene Mill Elementary for six years, first as a special education teacher and then a third grade teacher.  I spent three years at Lorton Station Elementary, teaching fifth and sixth grade.  Upon beginning my doctoral work at George Mason University, I moved to Lake Braddock Secondary School, where I taught special education and mathematics.  In addition to my school year work, I have also had the privilege of working as an Extended School Year teacher for ten summer sessions, a Young Scholars teacher, a Summer Enrichment teacher, and a curriculum writer.  Education is my calling, and I look forward to the progress we will make together for staff and students.

The job of an educator became more challenging since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.  We’ve heard the words, ‘pivot,’ ‘concurrent,’ and ‘pause’ more times than ever before.  Through it all though, we have persevered.  That is to be commended.  Whether you spent this summer working for a summer program, working another job, relaxing on a beach, or catching up on tasks at home– I hope you found time this summer to rest.  You’ve earned it!

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Please remember the hard-fought victories we’ve won in the past year:

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• We finally won the step increase and 4% MSA we’ve deserved after two years of step freezes;

• We won an additional step to honor the experience and longevity of ALL members of the Fairfax school community.

• Significantly increased pay for substitute teachers;

• The 2022-2023 calendar was adjusted to reflect the recognition of 4 additional religious days. Now new material can be taught on ‘observance’ days;

• Mobilized at the statewide level to help curb an anti-worker and anti-public education legislative agenda during the 2022 General Assembly session;

• Rallied together with FEA to form the Alliance of Fairfax Education Unions to push the School Board to enact a robust collective bargaining resolution for all;

• Added special education chairs at the elementary level to better support teachers and students;

• …and the small victories we all have each day.
   

We know that these wins will fuel us in the fights ahead.  With a new superintendent and assistant superintendent of human resources, this is an excellent time to let our voices be heard. The victories we won this year are important, but we have a rare opportunity to win collective bargaining this year - allowing you and your colleagues to have a say in your contract for the first time since 1977.  Union membership is more important than ever.

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YOU ARE THE UNION!

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We are a member-driven union.  As a member of the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers (FCFT), AFT Local 2401, you have an important role in the direction of our union and its future.  How can you be involved?

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• Join a committee!  We have committees for Pay and Benefits, Planning Time, Special Education, Support Staff, Educator Shortages, and more!  See a topic that needs a committee?  Reach out to our organizers at organizers@fcft.org or to myself at dpwalrod@fcft.org.

• Be a building representative.  Our worksite teams rely on member outreach!

• Join our Organizing Committee to help plan and prepare for rallies, events, and organizing drives.

• Join us for our social events!  In August, we’re hosting a virtual wellness happy hour with yoga and art activities, a pool party, and more.  Come help or come relax!  Bring a friend!  

• As the year goes on, look out for happy hours and meetings of the newly-formed Union Crafters, a social gathering of members who knit, crochet, embroider, and more! The first meeting is scheduled for September 17.

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With your support, we can make this a terrific school year.  We can create a better Fairfax for all students and educators!

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In solidarity,

David Walrod
FCFT President

Upcoming Events

FCFT Updates

What we have accomplished together this year!

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• A step increase and 4% MSA

• Significant increase in pay for substitutes

• Addition of 4 religious holidays to the calendar

• Same spring break as surrounding districts

• Mobilized at the statewide level to help curb an anti-worker and anti-public education legislative agenda during the 2022 General Assembly session

FCFT's  2021-2022 

YEAR IN REVIEW

Download FCFT's 2021-2022 Year In Review PDF to learn about our highlights and wins over the past year.

Collective Bargaining

We are fighting to encourage the School Board to pass a Collective Bargaining Resolution.  This will give us, for the first time, a voice in our workplace. 

But to WIN, we will need YOUR HELP! Learn more on our Collective Bargaining page.

AFT Student Debt Clinic

More than 45 million people, including many AFT members and their families, are struggling with the burden of student debt. The AFT Student Debt Clinic program provides information about free federal programs that may help reduce the burden of this

debt.

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Additionally, the Student Debt Clinics provide crucial information and resources to help our members take advantage of the temporary expansion of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program before the expansion period ends on October 31st, 2022.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

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Stand together with your coworkers, protect each other, and advocate for your rights and your students' rights.

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