General Membership Meeting on Friday, May 17, 2024
Date: Friday, May 17, 2024 Time: 6:00 PM Location: GFT Event Hall
Representing GovGuam Agencies and Alutiiq Bus Drivers
GFT, AFT Local 1581, exclusively represents the Guam Department of Education Teachers and Support Staff, Guam Memorial Hospital Nurses and Staff, University of Guam Support Staff, Guam Community College Support Staff, Guam Waterworks, Guam Fire Department, Department of Public Health and Social Services Eligibility Specialists, Guam Port Authority, Department of Public Works Bus Drivers, Alutiiq Bus Drivers, Guam Police Department, Customs and Quarantine, Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center and the Department of Corrections, Port Authority of Guam Police I and II, Port Security Guard (Armed), Psychiatric Nurses, Psychiatric Technicians, and Department of Public Works Sanitation Division.
Talks of Extending School Year 2021-2022
Many school communities have been reaching out to GFT regarding the Guam Education Board’s (GEB) recent discussions on extending the school year. The Guam Daily Post ran an article entitled GFT to seek time and a half if school year gets extended that grabbed the...
Bus Drivers Receive Donations to Keep Buses Clean and Safe for our Children
Bus drivers from the Department of Public Works and Alutiiq received donations from GFT to keep everyone safe. GFT heard from some bus drivers that supplies were running short with the return to full operations with GDOE students. Supply shortages are no excuse for...
The Guam Education Board Looks to End Cohorts for All Grade Levels
The Guam Education Board (GEB) looks to end cohorts for all grade levels by moving to 100% face-to-face instruction by Monday, November 29, 2021. The school community is advised to pay close attention to the next GEB meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 23, 2021,...
Happy Thanksgiving from your Union Family
This year has been challenging in ways that make it feel like an entire decade has passed by. That is why now, more than ever, it is important to pause to take inventory of the things we are thankful for. With so much hurt and pain socially, politically, and with...
AFT settles student debt lawsuit, wins big gains for borrowers
The AFT, AFT President Randi Weingarten and eight individual AFT member plaintiffs have reached a landmark settlement with the U.S. Department of Education in the case Weingarten v. DeVos, and as a result tens of thousands of student loan borrowers can expect imminent...
Year-long Education to Make Up for Lost Instruction
The Pacific News Center ran a story on October 4, 2021 where they quote Guam Education Board (GEB) member Robert Crisostomo saying: We need to close the gap on the education that’s missing. It’s going to take a while to catch up. But we got to catch up somewhere and...
Stop Blaming Teachers!
The Guam Daily Post ran an article entitled Tensions rise at education board special meeting over budget where GFT President Tim Fedenko lays blame on lawmakers and the governor for woefully under funding the Guam Department of Education (GDOE). In response, Guam...
Minimum Wage for Salary Employees
Once again it is time to talk about the low wages in Guam. Yep, Guam needs a raise. The minimum wage is the lowest wage that employers can legally pay their employees. When it comes to the government of Guam, ensuring that working families in Guam are earning at least...
JIC RELEASE NO. 798 – DPHSS Issues Guidance Memos 2021-28; Isolation Clearance Letters Available Via Email
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) issued DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-28, which provides additional guidance relative to persons with a documented previous COVID-19 infection. Individuals who have contracted and recovered from COVID-19...
Recognizing Labor Leaders Who Shaped Our Future
What do you think of when you see Labor Day on your calendar? A sunny summer day, barbecues, a school holiday, or maybe the time of year that signals it is ready to go back to school. You may even think briefly about unions, knowing that unionized workers made...
GDOE and Private Schools Move Online
Teachers and Staff: Report to work as usual. Await further guidance from your school principal. Check your work emails. Students: The tentative start date of online classes is set for September 07, 2021. Executive Order 2021-21: RELATIVE TO SUSPENDING IN-PERSON...
DODEA School Bus Drivers Enjoy New and Improved Contract
The Guam Federation of Teachers has just completed the negotiation and ratification of a new and improved COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT (cba) for DODEA School Bus drivers. The new contract will remain in effect until June 30, 2024 The new contract requires the...