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| Newtown BOE unit officers pictured left to right: Secretary Nicole Lourenco, Vice President Susan Burbank, Treasurer
Nichole Marrazzo, President Marlene Bucci and school stewards Lauren Samson and Darcy Cook. |
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The Newtown BOE Paraeducators, Behavior Interventionists, and Job Coaches voted through a Connecticut State Board of Labor Relations secret ballot election to leave IFPTE and join UPSEU.
The bargaining unit, comprised of 147 employees, voted nearly unanimously to rid themselves of IFPTE and to join UPSEU.
Over time, the bargaining unit grew frustrated with the lack of support and poor representation from IFPTE. Members recognized it was time for a change agreed that UPSEU was the right choice for strong, effective representation.
For years, unit leaders were left to manage day-to-day union responsibilities on their own, despite paying dues to IFPTE. The absence of guidance or support left many mem- bers feeling discouraged and neglected, fueling their desire to join a powerhouse labor organization like UPSEU. Newtown BOE unit officers pictured left to right: Secretary Nicole Lourenco, Vice President Susan Burbank, Treasurer Nichole Marrazzo, President Marlene Bucci and school stewards Lauren Samson and Darcy Cook.
Unit President Marlene Bucci said, “The Executive Board and members of the Newtown Paraeducators Association are excited to announce we have officially aligned with UPSEU. Our members overwhelmingly voted to certify UPSEU as our official bargaining representative, a powerful testament to our unity and shared vision for the future. We are excited to partner with a union that prioritizes the best interests and vision of its members and maintains a strong, active presence with the Connecticut Department of Education. Together, we are committed to securing a contract that ensures livable wages, improved working condi- tions, and meaningful professional development opportunities. This is more than just a contract negotiation, this is another step forward in setting a new standard for the paraeducator profession across the state.”
Labor Relations Representative Colleen Ezzo, who spearheaded this campaign stated, “I am so very proud of this unit for organizing a push to access the representation they deserved, but had not received under IFPTE. Thank goodness for the strong, dedicated leadership of their executive board, who provided the only support this unit knew. We are so happy that they voted nearly unanimously to join our UPSEU family, and we look forward to a long-lasting relationship built on collaboration, trust, leadership, and support!”
We welcome the Newtown BOE Paraeducators, Behavior Interventionists, and Job Coaches to our continually
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