June 20, 2008

FALL ORGANIZATION
When a revised organization sheet comes out and your assignment has been changed to one that is not one of your three choices, you have 48 hours to grieve. According to Article Seven, Section C 1 e of our contract:

Grievances hereunder may be lodged if:
(1) In any year an elementary school teacher fails to be granted one of his/her stated
program preferences; or
(2) For two years in succession the elementary school teacher has been denied his/her
first priority of program preference.
Any assignment that is grievable shall be reviewed in accordance with the standards
applicable to Articles 7C1b and c.

ROOM CHANGES
If you are changing rooms, while you must leave school furniture, bookcases, etc. in your old room, you may take materials which you own. As far as Teacher’s Choice materials, this is a quote from an official with the UFT: “Teacher's Choice materials technically belong to the school. If the teachers who are moving need the materials for next year, then they should move with the materials.” If you are leaving employment in the building (retiring, transferring, etc.), then you must leave all Teacher’s Choice materials in the building.

LETTER IN FILE FOR ATTENDANCE
This week, the UFT won a major arbitration case. A teacher received a letter in the file for excessive absences. He was out after having surgery. The arbitrator ruled that it violates regulations, and that “(T)here are no specific number of absences that automatically triggers discipline.” Things must be on a case by case basis, as there are many circumstances that UFT members have, such as injuries and health issues. More details will follow, including an update to the Know Your Rights section of the UFT web site.

RATINGS
If you have worked for 20 days or more, you will receive a rating from the principal within the last 10 days of the school year, but not less than four days before the end of the school year. It will either be Satisfactory (“S”), Unsatisfactory (“U”), Doubtful (“D”) or Not Applicable (“N/A”). Tenured teachers’ rating sheets can only have their rating, as well as attendance information. If you are a probationer, the “U” rating could lead to discontinuance of your probationary period. Since there are ramifications to a “U” rating, you should immediately contact the UFT Brooklyn borough office for assistance. Specialists there will help you file an appeal of your adverse rating and explain the various options available. Contact me as well and I will forward the information to our district rep.

E-MAIL
The UFT is filing a grievance on the mandated use of DOE e-mail. Any changes to working conditions must be made through collective bargaining. The DOE decided to mandate the use of DOE e-mail by teachers without going through collective bargaining.

SUMMER CONTACTS
UFT Brooklyn Borough Office
(718) 852-4900
M-Thu, 9-4

UFT Headquarters
(212) 777-7500
M-F, 9-4

Should an issue arise this summer, call the UFT Brooklyn office first.

Have a great summer.!