IFPTE Endorses One of Its Own, Matthew Joyce for Kansas Legislature
WASHINGTON, DC – IFPTE is proud to announce our endorsement of SPEEA/IFPTE Local 2001 member and recently elected IFPTE SPEEA Area Vice President Matthew Joyce for the Kansas legislature. Joyce is running to represent Kansas’ 81st House District.
IFPTE’s executive officers provided the following comments:
“As a board member for the Derby Public Schools since 2009, an aerospace engineer, community volunteer, labor leader, and lifelong Kansan, Matthew Joyce has proven himself to be a leader in his community,” said IFPTE President Paul Shearon. “He is also one of IFPTE’s newest national officers, having recently been elected to our board as one of three SPEEA Area Vice Presidents, not to mention the many leadership roles he has played at SPEEA over the years. IFPTE is proud that he is running for the Kansas House and we are happy to support him as not only one of our own, but also as a union supporter through and through.”
IFPTE Secretary-Treasurer/Legislative Director Matt Biggs also commented, saying “It is obviously great to see that a strong member of the IFPTE family is seeking statewide elected office in Kansas. When elected, I have no doubt that Matthew will bring his union card to work with him each day by fighting for robust collective bargaining rights for workers across the state, and the creation of good, union represented jobs.”
Matthew serves as the Spirit SPEEA Council Representative (shop steward), has led four contract negotiations on behalf of 1,000 engineers, and represents 2,500 engineers and technical workers in employee/employer disputes. Among his many contributions to the community, Matthew recently contributed all of the money he had in his Derby School Board campaign coffers to the school district’s COVID-19 response. These monies, which totaled over $800, went toward the purchase of internet access for students from low income families so they can participate in their school’s continuous learning program while in quarantine.
Learn more about Matthew’s stance on the issues and please contribute to his campaign.