We are using this campaign to be the union we want to see RIGHT NOW

Check out an overview of what we have done in this campaign!

With just under 6 days left until voting closes, we want to share what we have done to demonstrate the leadership we can bring to the WTU.

1. Held over 50 listening sessions, organizing talks, meet and greets, and school visits, virtually and in person and talked with over 350 unique members.

   Starting in February 2025, We held a wide variety of listening sessions where we took detailed notes based on our open discussions:

   • Solidarity Groups: Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Special Educators, International Educators and more.

   • School based for teachers: Elementary, Middle, High, Opportunity Academies, and Education Campuses

   In March we added Issue Based conversations to learn what was happening with members and consider what members would like to see moving forward:

   • DCPS Green Card Policy

   • FMLA and Leave Banks

   • IMPACT

   • Contract - winning an ambitious contract and enforcing it

   • and more!

   In May, based on what issues members were having we added Organizing conversations that got us to think about what is going on, but more importantly, brainstorming strategies and next steps we can take to address them:

   • Conditions in our building (HVAC, heating/cooling and more)

   • Pre-made curriculum

   • Too many standardized tests

   • and more!

2. Took Action working with members on issues they raised to us.

   • It was clear after meeting with the International Educators here on an H1B visa, that we had to elevate the Green Card issue immediately or some would risk having to leave the country after serving DCPS for over 4 years. This became a top campaign priority. We developed a WhatsApp group, investigated what is happening, developed an clear and strategic ask in the DCPS budget to try and force DCPS to restart the policy, got news stories (including the Washington Post), planned and executed meetings with Council Members, reached out to parents and the community to build alliances, testified at the DC State Board of Education and DC Council and are not giving up until we win.

   • We have been working with trying to improve communication around accessing the Leave Banks. While frustrating, we are not giving up, calling for emergency WTU Board Meetings, introducing motions, following up with emails and trying to get answers and a resolution that meets the needs of our members.

   • Run a targeted communication and organizing campaign to Get Out The Vote. Answered emails, calls, texts and in person troubleshooting for over 40 WTU Members and counting.

3. Built and activated a network of over 100 volunteers

   • We built a list of 100+ volunteers who have stepped up to help communicate, pass out information, put up flyers, arrange school visits, and more at their schools.

   • We provided outreach lists, targeted activities and ward based networks to ensure that we are doing everything we can to reach members in our buildings.

   • We are running a final Get Out The Vote (GOTV) push sending personalized lists to volunteers at every school to reach out and make sure everyone on our list who wants a ballot got one and was able to vote.

4. Developed a database of over 3,600 people and used it to strategically communicate

   • Our campaign is using AirTable and has created a database that allows us to keep track of how we are contacting members, who is attending events.

5. Built a strong leadership team to lead the WTU

   • We are the only slate to recruit someone for every position plus Board of Trustees, AFT Delegate, Washington Metro Labor Council and the DC/MD AFL-CIO.

   • We have held rotating weekly meetings on Data and Strategy, Organizing, Communications and the Full Slate

   • We communicate using a Group Chat app that allows us to stay in constant contact and build our connections so we are ready to work

   • We met in September to develop our platform and next steps together with an outside Power Consultant

   • Our slate is intentionally diverse, representing educators from across the district, a wide variety of professions, years of experience and years in DCPS.

We aren't done yet: We have 6 days left until voting is closed and win or lose we will stay engaged and continue to push the WTU to be the union we know it is capable of being.

If you haven't voted yet: Use our updated GOTV voters guide which includes directions on what to do if you don't get a ballot:

2025 ETA Voters Guide - GOTV.pdf

Download PDF • 221KB

Check out our Voter Guide to make sure you are voting for the full slate!