October 22, 2008

POLITICAL BUTTONS
On Friday, October 17, 2008, the UFT lost its arbitration case on wearing political campaign buttons in the schools. We may not wear them or post political material in places where students are present. However, we may post political material in the staff lounge and other places where students are not present, and we may place political material in the mailboxes before 8:00 and after 3:00.

CHAPTER DELEGATE NEEDED
We need a teacher to volunteer to be the UFT chapter delegate for the remainder of this school year. The delegate’s role is to represent the needs of the teachers in the monthly Delegate Assembly, held on Wednesdays in Manhattan from 4:15 - 6:00 PM, as well as to assist me in protecting the rights of our members. See me if you are interested.

PARKING PERMITS
We are distributing permits on a “First- come, first-served” basis. Thank you for making things go as smoothly as possible. Unfortunately, there will be a few problems now and then. If too many problems arise, then we will discuss other options.

COPE
Your voluntary contributions gave us 55/25 and continues to be used in the fight to protect tenure rights, as well as the fight not to use standardized test scores in the decision of whether or not to grant tenure. If you haven’t done so, please see me to enroll in COPE.

NEW TEACHERS
If you are not yet a member of the UFT, or if you have not yet received your membership application, Welfare Fund application (for your prescription, dental and optical coverage), or COPE form, see me ASAP.

OBSERVATIONS
Every teacher is entitled to a pre-observation conference with their supervisor prior to a formal observation. No exceptions.

LUNCH DUTY
Teachers are never to serve lunch duty, regardless of whether or not it is a half day. The only teacher who is allowed to serve lunch duty is the lunchroom coordinator who can legally be there because the position was SBO’d. If you are injured in the lunchroom while on lunch duty, it is not considered to be “line of duty” because lunch duty is not part of our job.

THEFT
System wide, grand larceny thefts (over $1,000) have increased 173 percent over last year, and the theft of laptops is up 191 percent. Forty-one percent of the property stolen belonged to UFT members. The NYPD recommends that you leave valuables at home, don’t leave your keys or property unattended, don’t flash your cash, and have a strong lock and don’t share or give out the combination or key.

INCIDENTS
If you are assaulted, threatened or injured in any way, you must file a UFT Incident Report in addition to the report that you file with the DOE.

TELL THE UFT
An e-mail address, myviews@uft.org has been set up so members can register their opinions on term limits and the budget crisis, and where the union should be directing its energy. The budget crisis and ending term limits affect the well-being of the children we serve and our professional and economic livelihoods

OUR NEXT CHAPTER MEETING
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 29 during the lunch hours with Kathy Sharko. I have requested that a pension speaker come in on a future date to assist new and veteran members on pension and TDA matters.

Contact me at 123uft@optonline.net