Sample B.R.A.G. Created by a Local Association

Sample Local Association B.R.A.G.

Here's how the members of the Brookline Educators Union answered the question, "Why should join their union?"

Collective bargaining. The Brookline Educators Union uses collective bargaining to improve wages and working conditions for all.
Access to MTA/NEA legal services and insurance protections. Only dues-paying members receive legal representation and advice in situations such as arbitration hearings for unfair dismissal or workers’ compensation claims. Only dues-paying members are eligible for professional liability insurance under NEA’s Educators Employment Liability Program, which provides $1 million in coverage if a member is sued in connection with his or her employment.
Professional development. Members have access to professional development and leadership training opportunities made available by the MTA and NEA. Members also have a role in developing in-district trainings.

Local leadership. BEU members elect their president, officers and Executive Board members. BEU representatives are in every school building, keeping open lines of communication and working to resolve issues as they arise.
Access to MTA staff. The BEU has access to MTA staff members who assist with communications, training, research, legal actions and political advocacy.
Professional camaraderie. The BEU brings together educators who are working across the district, making us all more aware of the issues we each face. We share our knowledge and work collaboratively to ensure that every member is treated with respect and dignity.

Schools Our Communities Deserve forum. Our prolonged contract campaign became an opportunity to form strong bonds with community groups and families. This coalition-building culminated in a forum that drew hundreds of residents into a discussion about the need for social and educational justice in public schools.
Creation of Workload Oversight Committee. Our contract established a committee that includes educators and is charged with protecting “time for teaching” as administrative initiatives are introduced in the district.
Community recognition. BEU members gained the admiration of their community for their activism on behalf of students and their students’ learning environment.

Economic justice for all educators. While some financial gains were made for paraprofessionals, more needs to be done. Brookline paras still earn less than their counterparts in comparable districts even though they are highly trained and deeply committed to Brookline students.
Less testing, more learning. The BEU will continue to advocate for more time to be devoted to social and emotional learning, as well as to academic courses, and less time on collection of data from standardized tests.
Community engagement. The BEU will continue to work with community groups to ensure that the public schools reflect social justice principles.