This is an invitation to all members of the New Bedford Federation of Paraprofessionals.
PLEASE JOIN US
WHEN: WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2019, @ 12:30 PM
WHERE: The Southeastern Massachusetts Central Labor Council, 560 PLEASANT ST, NEW BEDFORD, MA 02740.
We will be discussing our contract negotiations, and how you can help us to get the contact we deserve.
- COME AND HELP US FORMULATE OUR PLAN OF ACTION!
- LEARN HOW TO BUILD UNION POWER WITHIN YOUR BUILDING!
WE ARE DEMANDING THAT the District GIVE US A FAIR CONTACT! At the table the District has been dismissive and at times disrespectful of our team and our proposals. This is about RESPECT!
#WHATWEDOMATTERS!
#OURFAMILIESMATTER!
Our Contract Proposals
So far in negotiations the District has said no to most proposals we have made. What you need to know is many of our proposals are non-monetary (and cost the District nothing), but they are related to improving your day-to-day working conditions:
- Allowing us to use our paid Personal and Sick Leave in two (2) hour increments to take a child or elderly parent to a doctors appointment.
- Shortening the probationary period from one (1) year to ninety (90) work days.
- Providing us with adequate training for such things as CPR/First Aid, CPI (applying non-violent restraints), training us on how to implement services required by an IEP or 504 Plan. Allowing Paraprofessionals to refuse to do something that we are not properly trained to do without fear of being disciplined.
- Making sure that all Paraprofessionals get a 30-minute duty-free lunch. Making sure that only a Paraprofessional can give up his/her lunch period (the Administration) can't tell you that you have to work through lunch, and paying a Paraprofessional who is good enough to volunteer to work through his/her lunch period (that's state law). We should expect and demand no less.
- A Paraprofessional who is fulent in more than one language should be compensated for using these skills to help the Distrct - right now they get this for free - and they like it this way. We deserve better.
- Paying us if we do Bus Duty, Cafeteria Duty, Hallway Duty, Auditorium Duty, Gymnasium Duty, or Recess Duty. Liimiting the number of students that any one (1) Paraprofessional is required to supervise:
- over 25 students they would have to give you a radio/walkie-talkie
- over 50 students they would have to give you another body to help out
- Implementing a revised Evaluation System which is fair and transparent. One that is designed to help Parprofessionals correct deficiencies in their performance - not one that punishes our members. (That is the Distrct's proposal).
- Eliminating the need for Paraprofessionals to sign-in/sign-out (until the District implements an electronic system and makes all employees sign-in and sign-out - not just Paraprofessionals).
- Updating the language and increasing the stipend for Paraprofessionals who work with the severe (violent) behavioral students.
- Updating the laungage on postings for Summer School and Before and After School Programs (so we can acutally have an idea what the heck we are applying for).
- Updating the language on postings for In-Building and and In-District positions (so we can actually have an idea what the heck we are applying for).
- Allowing Paraprofessionals to use their Sick and Personal Leave in half-day increments.
- A PAY RAISE - one that keeps up with the scheduled increases in the minimum wage of the the next few years.
Click here to review our proposals:
http://newbedford.ma.aft.org/sites/default/files/nbfp_contract_proposals.pdf
The District's Proposals
The Distrtict on the other hand has made proposals:
- To implement a "Dress Code" for Paraprofessionals. No Dress Code exists for other employees of the District.
- To implement a new Evaluation System which is a tool for punishing employees, versus a tool for helping employees improve their performance.
- The District has proposed a pay raise of 1% each year for three (3) years. The Teacher's Unit just settled for 1.75% increase each year for three (3) years for most of their members, with senior members getting a 2% increase each year for three (3) years.
PLEASE COME TO THE SE Massachusetts CLC on WEDNESDAY, JULY 31th
HELP US FORMULATE OUR PLAN OF ACTION!
New Bedford Federation of Paraprofessionals Contact Negotiations Team
Ruth Adamides - Pulaski Elementary
Lisa Poulos - Pulaski Elementary
Louanne Rebello (Retired) - Pulaski Elementary
Priscilla Antonelli - Lincoln Elementary
Frank Lobo - NB High School
Darlene Machado - NB High School
Elaine Safioleas - Retired Paraprofessional
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
WE CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT YOU!