President’s Post
Preparing for the Legislature Your help is needed to advocate for great public education and services Greetings! I hope this note finds you and yours well and safe as we begin what I hope is a prosperous 2021. We begin this year with a new President of the United States, Joe Biden, following a very contentious campaign and election. Now more than ever, Americans are imploring politicians and activists of all stripes to tone down the rhetoric and refocus their efforts on doing what is in the best interest of the people of the United States. Our fellow citizens from all backgrounds have been through a great deal in 2020 and their challenges are real. To paraphrase John F. Kennedy, the people are not looking for a Democratic solution or a Republican solution. They are looking for American solutions to the challenges they face. Here’s hoping we get them. On the home front, North Dakota United is busily participating in the 67th Legislative Assembly. We have every reason to believe that we will see legislation that, if enacted, will negatively impact our membership. For example, there will be a bill that will limit the timeframe in which K-12 teacher contracts must be considered before an impasse is automatically declared. Public employees will again be asked to increase their contribution to their pensions. While we support a proposed one percent employeremployee increase to NDPERS, the increase will surely lessen the impact of any modest salary enhancement
By Nick Archuleta NDU President
public employees may receive. Our higher education members, at least if the executive budget is adopted, will see additional cuts in their budgets as well as depletions in university system personnel.
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We need your help. We need to hear from you, and we need you to act!
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So, as you see, we have a great deal of work to do during this legislative session between now and when it adjourns sine die in April. Over these 80 days, we will be advocating for the members of North Dakota United who work in our great public schools, universities and government agencies. We will continue to do everything in our power so that you have the respect and resources you need to continue to provide the vital public services that our state depends upon. But we will need your help! We need to hear from you, and we need you to act! Find out how you can become a member activist at www.ndunited.org. Thank you all for all you do every day! And thank you for your membership in North Dakota United! ndunited.org
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