The Washington Teachers Union. Building Representative. Handbook

Transcription

1 The Washington Teachers Union Building Representative Handbook 1

2 Important Contract Articles: Article VI Grievance Procedure - Step 1 must be invoked within ten (10) school days - Step 1 Form must be completed or the grievance could be lost Article VIII Chapter Meetings - Written notification must be given the principal - Must not interfere with instructional program Article IX Consultation with SCAC - Establish meetings dates at first SCAC/Administration Meeting - Principal must meet with SCAC once a month - Agenda of both parties given 24 hours in advance Article XI Information Available to the Union - Official announcements, to be given to the Building Rep - Copy of teaching announcements & per-period class coverage rotation list to be given to Building Rep by October 1 st - Seniority list must be given to Building Rep Article XVIII General Provisions Relating to School Operations - Emergency phone messages must be delivered to teacher immediately - All teachers shall be given a lockable cabinet or desk - Routine announcement times to be determined by administrator in consultation with SCAC - Each school will have a standing Personnel Committee Article XXV Policies Relating to Working Conditions of Teachers - Lesson plans may be reviewed by the principal but length, format and amount of detail of detail is determined by the teacher - Leaving the building during the lunch period - No longer required to return (10) ten minutes before the next period/class - SCAC and principal develop the planning period and lunch duty schedules Article XXVI Quality Education - Written notice of potential school transformation, to all teachers, by the end of first advisory - All transfers in and out of transformed schools are to be treated involuntary - Teachers must participate in the various stages of staff and curriculum development - Supports for teachers seeking the National Board Certification Article XXVII Auxiliary and Ancillary Services - Itinerant special subject teachers are required to do duty - Guidelines for special subject teachers Article XXVIII Supplies, Equipment, Textbooks &Related Educational Materials - SCAC and the principal prepare inventory of supplies - SCAC and the principal develop procedures for distribution of supplies and allocation of funds 2

3 Organizing an Effective School Chapter Advisory Committee The mark of a successful Building Representative is one who shares his or her responsibilities. There are several tasks the Rep must perform and Schools Chapter Advisory Committee (SCAC) members can support the Building Rep by taking charge of certain tasks. SCAC members can handle the following tasks. Spearhead the recruitment drives Keep minutes at all meetings Organize any social activities and amenities project (e.g. sending get well cards) Maintain the beverage machine SCAC members should share the following with the Building Representative: Distributing information to the Chapter members Attending Building Rep and Membership Meetings Enforcing the contract Recruiting new members Keeping Chapter telephone networks organized Assisting with the WTU bulletin board Calling the Hotline daily Each SCAC must decide the best method for carrying out its responsibilities. The WTU office and your Chapter members are depending on you to keep the union highly visible and effective in your school. Conducting Meetings A major responsibility of a Building Representative is planning, announcing, and conducting meetings. Follow these general guidelines to ensure a productive meeting: 1. Set and establish meeting date and time. Give timely reminder notices 2. Prepare an agenda 3. Follow the agenda. Do not let anyone change the topic that is being discussed. 4. Keep order in the meeting. Do not allow side conversations to disrupt the meeting. Do not allow people to monopolize the meeting by engaging in debate. 5. Keep the meeting brief, no longer than one hour 6. Make sure minutes are recorded 7. Hold regular meetings School Chapter Advisory Committee Meetings How to hold a successful SCAC meeting: 1. Keep the discussion informal. 2. Discuss methods of improving Chapter members participation and WTU activities. 3. Discuss pressing school matters. 4. Prepare a brief agenda for next Chapter meeting. 5. Develop SCAC/Administration meeting agenda items; plan a strategy using the hints below. 3

4 Helpful Hints in Preparation for SCAC/Administration Meetings 1. Prepare a specific agenda: Beginners often find it a good technique to set the agenda so that the easier questions will be listed first and discussed early in the conference to establish a cooperative tone. 2. Ascertain the facts. Have a definite plan. There is strength in certainty. Also anticipate the administration s counter proposals and determine which of them you will accept. 3. Prepare your arguments and be sure they are based on professional logic. Precedents are important. 4. Determine how the problem has been previously handled in your building, or how a similar problem was resolved at another school. 5. Study the provisions of the WTU contract. 6. Be sure to call your WTU Field Representative if you are not sure how to handle a problem or situation. Chapter Meetings Follow these steps to make your chapter meetings effective: 1. Set established monthly meeting day and time. 2. Hold prior to SCAC/ Administration meeting. 3. Post meeting notification at least three (3) days in advance. 4. Circulate a reminder notice 24 hours on advanced. 5. Prepare a brief agenda (see sample below). 6. Purpose of Chapter Meeting: a) Gather member concerns and suggestions for the upcoming SCAC/Administration meeting. b) Give a report of SCAC/administration meeting. c) Give a report of SCAC meeting(s) d) Inform members of Union matters reported at the Building Representative and membership meetings. e) Discuss local school matters of concern Here is a sample agenda for a Chapter Meeting. Sample Agenda Chapter Meeting (Date) 1. WTU announcements (Gather this information from WTU Building Representative, membership meetings and union office 2. SCAC Meeting Report (include SCAC suggestions for SCAC/ Administration agenda items) 4

5 3. Member Concerns (items for upcoming SCAC/administration meeting; these suggestions should be given to your Field Representatives if the items deal with system-wide or region-wide policies 4. Open Agenda SCAC/Administration Meetings Be sure to read Article IX in the WTU Contract regarding SCAC/Administration Meetings. Then follow these helpful steps: 1. Schedule a time for monthly meetings in September 2. Submit agenda to administrator at least 24 hours in advance. (Administrator must do the same if he/she has items to be discussed.) 3. Building Representative should be the chief spokesperson. Members of the SCAC may be assigned specific topics on the agenda 4. Stick to the agenda 5. Purpose of SCAC/Administration meetings a. Resolve any outstanding problem(s) between the faculty and administration b. Seek relief for individual members problem(s) (Caution: Do not use individual s name) c. Offer suggestions for improving various school/administration policies or procedures d. Review and make suggestions on the school s Student Activity Fund (see Article XXIV) e. Question and correct any violation of the WTU Contract f. Ask questions about administration (local and central) policies that are unclear g. If a specific document such as the per period rotation list is requested from the administration, be sure to set a due date. h. Prepare a brief summary of the meeting for Chapter members and distribute it within two (2) days after the meeting. IMPORTANT: SCAC members must not use the meting to address their personal concerns. Never skip a regularly scheduled meeting. Hold a meeting no matter how brief of insignificant the agenda items may be. Here s a sample agenda for a SCAC/Administration Meeting. (Agenda items must be brief. They should not reveal your position or suggestions.) Sample Agenda SCAC/Administration Meeting (Date) 1. Program Assignments 2. Target Plan 3. Duty Assignments 4. Supplies Distribution Helpful Hints an on conducting SCAC/Administration Meetings: 5

6 1. Remember that this is a meeting of equals. You and the other members of SCAC are acting as official representatives of the WTU not merely as staff members. 2. Discuss each item as it is listed on the agenda. Attempt to establish and maintain a good rapport 3. In discussing a local level building procedure, ask the administration why the policy was originally adopted. This will serve to launch the discussion, and he may supply you with facts you had not discovered. 4. Propose your solution and show him that it practical. Demonstrate that it will raise employee efficiency as well as staff morale. 5. Don t give up. If you reach an impasse on one issue, tell your administrator you will see the item aside for the present and bring it up at the future meeting. Proceed to the next item on the agenda and continue the discussion. 6. Do not disagree among yourselves during the conference. If the matter needs more discussion by SCAC, lay it aside and bring it back to the next meeting. 7. Keep accurate minutes of the meeting and give a complete report to the Chapter members. 8. Hold meeting on neutral grounds, i.e. library, cafeteria, or classroom of non-scac member. Grievances The heart of any contract is the grievance procedure. Your role as a WTU Building Representative is vitally important to the grievance procedure. Remember you are NOT merely protesting. You are asking for favors. You and the administrator share the equal responsibility of resolving problems on the local level. The administrator cannot allow his unresolved grievances to clutter the desk of his supervisor. Therefore, he is just as anxious as you are to achieve a satisfactory settlement of problems. How to Handle a Grievance 1. Interview the complainant When a member presents you with a complaint, first listen to the facts. BE A GOOD LISTENER when the complainant presents his problem. Let them tell their entire then ask, What action do you believe the Union should take? You may soon discover that the person wants to get a gripe off their chest and feels the Union should listen. 2. Decide if the complaint is a grievance If the complaint is a grievance, which the complainant wants filed, you must determine f it is a local level grievance under the jurisdiction of the building administrator or if it should be taken to another level through the Union office. 3. Gather all the relevant information about the grievance a. Check the contract thoroughly to see if it addresses the issue. b. Compare the problem to any similar grievance or issues that have previously occurred at your school. c. Call your field representative to get an official opinion on the matter. 6

7 d. (Optional) Have the grievant write a brief statement summarizing the problem so that he won t renege on what was discussed. 4. Hold an informal conference with the administrator (Step 1) You and the grievant should thoroughly discuss your position before this conference so that you will be on one accord. Be sure to review the information listed above with the grievant. Before you begin the conference with the administrator, you must identify the discussion as Step 1 of the grievance procedure. During the conference, make a sincere attempt to resolve differences. Be affirmative and professional in your attitude. Work cooperatively in finding a just solution to a mutual problem. A poor choice of words can damage cooperation, so avoid the use of terms, which are emotionally charged. 5. Execute a Step 1 Grievance Form If the matter in dispute is not settled before the conference ends you must complete a Step 1 Grievance Form (Forms are provided by (WTU). If you do not complete this form then you automatically lose the grievance. If the administrator does not sign the form, the grievance shall automatically move on to Step 2 (your Field Rep will handle the grievance at the Steps 2, 3, and 4 levels). Helpful Hints on conferring with an administrator: 1. State the problem simply and succinctly. 2. Present the facts: Who, What, When, Where and Why 3. Cite your authority: WTU Contract; Board Rules; Past practice 4. Defend the adjustment you seek Five Don ts: 1. DON T GIVE UP. If the administrator gives you a strong argument, keep talking. It may be final show of strength before he gives in, however, if you finally decide that further talk is unless, tell him or her courteously that you consider the matter unresolved and suggest an adjournment. 2. DON T LET ADMINISTRATOR SIDETRACK YOU. When he or she attempts to discuss other issues bring him back to the facts in this case at the earliest opportunity. 3. DON T LOSE YOUR TEMPER. He may try to irritate you, but don t let him succeed. You can t use your head if you become emotional. Remember, there is always the right to appeal. 4. DON T LET HIM BREAK YOUR UNITY WITH THE COMPLAINANT There should be one main spokesperson, however, if a disagreement should arise, caucus with the grievant privately to discuss the issues. 5. DONT LET HIM STALL. Some administrators would rather stall than give a flat no. If he or she wants to study the issue, or if he or she agrees to take an action, you can occur. This can be done with diplomacy: By what time do you think this can be done? or, How long do you anticipate this will take? you can then strengthen the 7

8 understanding by stating, Then we can expect to hear from you within a few days. If you don t hear from the administrator within two days, proceed to the next step. Channeling Information An informed membership is a strong membership. A Building Representative must first keep himself well informed. Chapter members expect you to have all of the answers. Be ready to provide them with accurate and current information. Keep Members Informed 1. WTU Bulletin Board (WTU Building Representatives are solely responsible for what is posted on the WTU Bulletin Board. Before any item that is not provided by the WTU is placed on the board, it must be cleared by the WTU Building Representative) a. Post all materials from WTU bulletin board packet b. Keep information current c. Make it eye-catching d. Clip newspapers articles (union and city papers) of interest to members e. Use part of board for recruitment materials 2. Circulate and post monthly the WTU SCAC reporter information sheet that: a. Gives a brief summary of SCAC/Administration meeting b. Lists vital union information obtained from Information Sources above c. Post and circulate all meetings notices Communicate with potential members 1. Distribute WTU recruitment materials 2. Point out successful SCAC proposals made to the administration 3. Stress importance of strength in numbers Establish a School Telephone Network 1. A sample network form is included in your Rep Portfolio 2. Keep a copy at your school 3. Send a copy to your WTU Field Representative by September 30 th 4. Operating the network a. The Building Representative sets the network in motion by calling each member of the SCAC b. Each SCAC member then calls each teacher assigned to his/her group to relay the message. Recruiting New Members The following are some suggestions made by other Building Reps who have been successful in recruiting new member sin their building that you should try. Involve the Building s Entire Union Membership in the Campaign Appoint a committee of teachers who command the respect if the staff. If you get their help in planning the whole program they will be enthusiastic and more willing to help 8

9 you put it over. More important, they will have more influence in motivating the entire staff than you will by yourself, some high points to include are: Displays Use bulletin boards to focus attention on the membership drive during the month of the campaign. Make them dramatic. Use the best art talent to get bright, attractive displays. Membership Week Designate a specific week for concentrated effort. Ask all union members to wear a membership tag, the WTU office can supply them or you may wish to design your own to emphasize a local building theme. This display of unity is a compelling way to say, We want you to join. Membership Social Arrange a social or a luncheon for the entire staff and invite each potential member as a guest of honor. Seat them in a prominent position and keep the focus on them. However, be careful not to embarrass them or offend them the best rule is keep it light. Avoid heavy speeches but get your message across in other ways, such as skits, songs and poems. Use all the talent on your staff to produce an entertaining show that is bright and clever and also packed with the union message. If you keep the program based on good will and keep it light, it will be a powerful tool for bringing the reluctant bargaining unit members into the Union. The Direct Invitation Make certain that each potential member receives at least two direct invitations to join WTU, one at the beginning of the campaign and one toward the end. Go over the list of potential members with your membership committee and decide who will have the most influence with each individual potential member. Then make specific assignments. Make the personal visits friendly and courteous, of course, and supply the potential member with all necessary information. Let him know that the strength of the union in your school depends on unity and that the rest of the staff expects him to join so that your building will be 100% WTU. General Responsibilities The following other duties a Building Representative should perform: Promote participation in Union meetings, committees, and activities. Submit a copy of your school s seniority list to your Field Rep. Promote unity among WTU members. Encourage the purchase of WTU T-shirts and Tote Bags. Keep a supply of union materials (i.e., grievance forms, membership applications, publications, recruitment materials, a copy of the Contract and Constitution & By-laws) Submit names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the union members in your building. You should call in corrections as soon as you are aware of them. Check periodically with members to see if they are receiving WTU and mail. 9