WASHINGTON, DC - IFPTE President, Paul Shearon, Secretary-Treasurer/Legislative Director Matt Biggs and Western Area Vice Presidents Gus Vallejo and Larry Griffin, issued the following joint statement on behalf of IFPTE in response to the tragic shootings at the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) facility in San Jose, California.

“IFPTE sends our deepest condolences to the victims of yet another senseless shooting this morning at the VTA rail facility in San Jose. While details of this horrific act are still being made public, it is our understanding at this point that no IFPTE members employed by the VTA have been hurt or killed. However, it is being reported that as many as eight VTA workers who are members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 have been killed, and others have been injured. IFPTE mourns the loss of union Siblings who work side by side with IFPTE Local 21 members and stands ready to provide assistance to the ATU members’ families and loved ones. We encourage IFPTE members and locals to support the victims relief fund being administered by the Working Partnerships USA.”

SPEEA will conduct an election for two Northwest vice president seats on the IFPTE Executive Council.

 R Matthew Joyce ran unopposed for the Midwest seat.

 A total of eight members submitted valid petitions to serve as convention delegates to the IFPTE triennial convention. See below.

 The SPEEA Tellers validated the VP and delegate petitions May 5.

 Northwest SPEEA Area VP candidates (two seats)

*Names listed in ballot order as determined by the Tellers in a random drawing.

SPEEA will mail ballots to Northwest members’ homes by June 2. Ballots are due at SPEEA’s post office box by noon, Wednesday, June 16.

Convention delegates

The following delegates successfully petitioned to represent SPEEA at the virtual IFPTE conference Aug. 9-10.

They will join hundreds of delegates from across North America, including Canada, at the convention to elect officers, vote on actions and motions to set policy and participate in workshops on labor issues.

SPEEA members who used the near-site daycare centers in Everett or Renton Longacres operated by Bright Horizons during the past three years are entitled to a refund as the result of a recent grievance and settlement with The Boeing Company.

The 10% refund of tuition expenses is available to members who used the Bright Horizons daycares between Jan. 1, 2018 and May 1, 2021. The facilities had been making a 10% profit instead of operating on a not-for-profit basis as agreed upon in Letter Of Understanding 1 (LOU 1) in the Professional and Technical contracts.

To receive the refund, request a “Tax Form” from Bright Horizons as proof of your expenses and email it to Daycare@speea.org. Members have until July 1 to submit documentation of expenses.

Beginning May 1, SPEEA-represented employees using these two facilities will receive a 10% discount
as part of the Bright Horizons subsidy program. 

This subsidy will be reviewed on an annual basis to maintain congruence with the language in LOU 1.

To enroll in the subsidy program, notify your center that you are a SPEEA-represented employee.

Members interested in serving their co-workers as a Council Rep have until noon, Tuesday, May 11, to complete a petition and submit a statement (150 words max). Council Rep duties and responsibilities can be found on the website – Member Tools, Council Reps.

Seated Council Reps receive an adjusted retention rating as outlined in section 12.1(h)(1) of the
Professional and Technical contracts.

For instructions, petition and district delineations, click here or go to www.speea.org (drop-down menu –
Councils/Forms, Petitions, Delineations).

Vacancies*