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Emily VanDerhoff @eavanderhoff.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

I am so proud that we have been able to host this amazing event for 2 years in a row! We're grateful for the partnership of @aft.org and @firstbook.org to support our local union in bringing this incredible opportunity to our community! #ReadingOpensTheWorld

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Reposted by Emily VanDerhoff

Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

In Fairfax, Zach Coe was one of the leaders in having 27,500 teachers bargain for a fair contract. Last night, @fcftunion.bsky.social was honored with an organizing award by NoVA Labor. More than 50 years after my dad, David Shea, led his @AFT union to strike for a better contract, it echoes. 3/3

At the NoVA Labor Federation dinner, a large crowd is honored on stage.

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Reposted by Emily VanDerhoff

Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

Zach Coe & I graduated from William & Mary-in different centuries. But I'd rather focus on his similarities with my dad: both math teachers. Zach & fellow teachers voted for @aft.org representation @fcftunion.bsky.social. In 1968, in CT, my dad & fellow teachers voted for an AFT union. In 1970, 1/3

Zach Coe and Michael A. Shea posing for the camera at the NoVA Labor dinner.

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Emily VanDerhoff @eavanderhoff.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

I am so proud to be a member of FCFT and to have played a part in this historic year of progress. I'm excited for what the next year will bring as our union continues to grow in size and strength and we get to experience first hand the difference of working under a good union contract. 5/5

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Emily VanDerhoff @eavanderhoff.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

And of course we could not have accomplished this without our exceptional organizing staff who charted a path and supported our member leaders each step of the way. 4/5

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Emily VanDerhoff @eavanderhoff.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

For those who do, the negotiation process alone typically takes at least a year and often longer. Our amazing victory was all made possible by the work of dedicated union member leaders talking with their colleagues about the union & inviting them to take the next step toward winning a contract. 3/5

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Emily VanDerhoff @eavanderhoff.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

In under a year 27,500 FCPS employees went from no representation to a ratified contract. The size and speed of this organizing undertaking is truly remarkable. A shocking statistic I heard during this process is that 50% of workplaces who elect union representation never reach a first contract. 2/5

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Emily VanDerhoff @eavanderhoff.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Exactly 1 year ago today, FCPS licensed and operational staff began signing authorization cards to seek union representation through collective bargaining. Last Monday, less than a year later, we overwhelmingly voted yes to ratify our first contract! 🧵1/5

Me standing at my open classroom window with my colleague, her son, and our union organizer standing outside the window. We are all smiling excitedly. Amy has a pen in her hand and is pressing on the window to sign her union authorization card.

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