SUPERINTENDENT CARVALHO AND UNION LEADERSHIP PLAN FOR A REGULAR DAY OF OPERATIONS ON MONDAY, JANUARY 13

Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho and district administrators held conversations with the executive leadership of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) on Saturday, Jan. 11th, and the groups met face-to-face on Sunday, Jan. 12th.  The school district and union leaders agreed that the priorities for both groups would be the safe, secure, timely transportation of school students, and expediting collective bargaining efforts in the next few days to explore salary increases and the mitigation of health care insurance costs.

Based on the commitment of AFSCME leadership, a normal day of operations is expected on Monday, January 13.

Superintendent Carvalho and his staff worked throughout the weekend to open lines of communication with parents, and staff to ensure smooth transportation services for Miami-Dade students tomorrow.

Automated telephone messages are being sent to parents to keep them apprised of developments and offer them assistance and contacts, if needed.  Additional messages are being sent to all AFSCME employees to encourage their attendance to work on Monday.

Strikes by public workers are illegal in Florida, as are organized "sick-outs".

The following message was sent to bus drivers and aides in English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole.

Message to Employees:

This is a message from Miami-Dade County Public Schools. You are a valuable member of the M-DCPS family. We understand your frustration. We remain willing and able to go back to the bargaining table with your union to hopefully reach an agreement which will resolve your concerns with salary and health insurance costs.  We know you will be at work every day because you are consummate professionals and you care about the children you serve.

Mensaje  para Empleados:

Buenas noches, este es un mensaje de parte de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado Miami-Dade. Usted es un miembro clave de la familia de las M-DCPS.  Comprendemos su frustración. Estamos preparados y disponibles para regresar a la mesa de negociaciones con su sindicato y esperamos llegar a un acuerdo que solucione sus preocupaciones salariales y de costos del seguro de salud. Sabemos que ustedes estarán trabajando diariamente porque son profesionales realizados y están preocupados por los niños que sirven.

Mesaj Sa A Se Pou Anplawye

Mesaj sa a soti nan Lekòl Leta Miami-Dade County.  Ou se yon manm
enpòtan nan fanmi Lekòl Leta Miami-Dade County. Nou konprann fistrasyon
ou. Nou toujou ta renmen, e kapab retounen sou tab la pou n kontinye
negosye avèk sendika ou a ak espwa nou kab tonbe dakò ki va rezoud
enkyetid ou sou salè w ak pri asirans sante ou. Nou konnen w ap vini
travay chak jou paske w se yon vrè pwofesyonèl e ou sousye de timoun ou
sèvi yo.

Editor’s Note: Photo attached.

Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho and President of AFSCME Local 1184 Sherman Henry.

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