Our Story

We are the nearly two hundred teachers and professional staff at Carmen Schools of Science and Technology, spread out over six schools located in Milwaukee, WI.
Carmen’s namesake leaders believed in the vital need for workplace democracy and the power of worker voices. Right now, we are gravely concerned that the impact of serious workplace issues impede teachers’ ability to meet the high educational standards that Carmen students deserve. Collective bargaining through a negotiated contract is the only way to assure that teachers’ concerns regarding workload, equity, pay, and unacceptable turnover rates are addressed.
We are committed to providing the highest educational standards that will allow our students to grow and thrive both before and after graduation from Carmen schools. We are seeking to bargain collectively with the Carmen Administration in a spirit of mutual benefit and trust. We are advocating for a seat at the table in discussions about what is best for our Carmen Community.
We have been organizing for a while! Below is a timeline describing some key events, as well as our four long term goals. By forming a union with the IAMAW, we’re hoping to take the next steps in making sure our voices are heard, not just today, but well into the future.
Our Four Goals
Equity
Equity is best achieved through a union, which can protect and empower underrepresented identities among staff and stand in solidarity with underrepresented members of our student and family communities.
A Sustainable Workload
A sustainable workload is necessary to prevent burnout and to retain experienced teachers, whose experience benefits students.
Transparency & Voice
Transparency is needed to ensure all stakeholders, from staff to students to parents, can provide input and insight and are involved in decision making.
Financial Fairness
Teachers need financial fairness to best provide for their students and stay in this line of work.
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January 2021 -
Carmen staff begin meeting with an organizer from IAMAW District 10 to discuss forming a Union.
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Spring 2021 -
Teachers sign their 2021-2022 Letters of Continued Employment (LOCEs)
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June 17, 2021 -
Last day of the 2020-2021 School Year
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August 9, 2021 -
Teacher’s first day of the 2021-2022 school year.
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August 23, 2021 -
Student’s first day of the 2021-2022 school year.
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September 2021 -
Teacher retention rate:
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October 2021 -
Carmen Northwest HS teachers independently organize to request change and improve working and learning conditions at the Northwest HS campus. 100% of NW teachers sign letter to leadership. Points in the letter include teacher burnout; restorative justice practices; health and safety concerns; effective professional development; proactive vs reactive communication.
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October 2021 -
Carmen NW teachers meet with Leadership to discuss points in the letter.
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November 4, 2021 -
Teachers across campuses sign a letter of solidarity in support of Northwest staff. Carmen SE teachers meet with Leadership to discuss points in the support letter.
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November 8, 2021 -
CEO announces changes will be made in response to our Carmen Community Needs. Changes include a staff wellness bonus, winter break wellness days, changes to school schedules and adjustments to teacher professional development (PD)
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November 19, 2021 -
The principal of Carmen Northwest High School is transferred to another Network role and will be replaced with an interim principal on 1/4/22.
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January 5, 2022 -
Carmen Workers Collective announce their campaign to unionize to the public. Teachers can now SIGN A UNION AUTHORIZATION CARD in order to vote to be represented by the IAMAW.
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Future date… -
Once a strong majority of Carmen staff sign IAM union support cards, the Union will file for an election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
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Future date… -
The NLRB will verify the union support cards and set a date for a Union election. If a simple majority of votes are cast for the IAM, then the Union is certified and Carmen administration must begin collective bargaining with its workers.
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Future date… -
Carmen workers can now join the Union! They will elect a bargaining committee who will work with an IAM Business Representative to prepare for negotiations. All bargaining unit members will fill out a bargaining survey which will be used to prioritize issues at the negotiating table.