NTU Updates

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We hope you have a healthy and restful Spring Break!

Colleagues,

Your Union in Action: what was going on at NTU this week?

The NTU Community Engagement & Social Justice Committee is encouraging members to support (either through donation or their time). The event is one of many designed

Colleagues,

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Your Union in Action: what was going on at NTU this week?

1) DYFS – Attached is information on NTU’s Child Abuse Neglect Prevention and Protection Program.  Please review this document!  It could save your career!  We have been seeing a large number of DYFS cases every week.

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2) National Walk Out -   We had a lot of schools participate in the National Walk-Out on Wednesday, April 16.  Attached are pictures, poems, and comments we received from our members about this wonderful event.  Thank you to

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Colleagues,

Your Union in Action: what was going on at NTU this week?

1. WARNING!

Every day students are telling teachers, “I’m going to get you fired” and then that student will tell an administrator or parent a boldface lie that you touched them inappropriately by hitting or kicking them or made sexual contact. Remember, the rule is hands off unless you have to intercede to separate students about to harm one another and if you have to do so, be cautious not to touch head or neck areas. Call security if time allows. Do not escalate the situation. Use

Colleagues,

Your Union in Action: what was going on at NTU this week?

1. NTU Membership Meeting: On February 28, 2018, the NTU had our first General Membership Meeting since the state takeover ended. The energy of the meeting was inspiring, with over 100 NTU members coming out to talk about what comes next, including reorganizing the building rep structure, contract negotiations, and the Janus decision. We still have a lot of work to do, especially around Renew Schools, but this was a strong start.

One of the highlights of the meeting was that Interim Superintendent Robert Gregory came to answer

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Colleagues,

1. 
   Membership meeting: On Wednesday, February 28 starting at 4 PM, we will be holding an NTU Membership meeting at Oliver Street School.  On the agenda for this meeting we will discuss:

• Contract Reopener for School Year 2018-2019
• Observations and Evaluations
• NTU Recommitment Campaign (What is Janus and how can we best prepare for Janus’s impact?)
• Building Rep Reorganizing
• Local Control – Next Steps

The Union is the Voice of its members, let us hear from you!!

BREAKING NEWS!  INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT ROBERT GREGORY WILL BE JOINING US ON WEDNESDAY TO ADDRESS THE

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Colleagues,

1. 
   Membership meeting: On Wednesday, February 28 starting at 4 PM, we will be holding at NTU Membership meeting at Oliver Street School.  On the agenda for this meeting we will discuss:

• Contract Reopener for School Year 2018-2019
• Observations and Evaluations
• NTU Recommitment Campaign (What is Janus and how can we best prepare for Janus’s impact)
• Building Rep Reorganizing
• Local Control – Next Steps

The Union is the Voice of its members, let us hear from you!!

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2. 
   Flu Concerns: We have heard concerns from our members about

Colleagues,

1) Emancipation Celebration – After 22 years of state control, Newark Public Schools were finally emancipated on Feb 1, 2018.  TODAY!!  Friday, February 9, there will be a celebration at Newark Symphony Hall at 4 PM to mark this tremendous occasion!  All NTU members and allies are invited!

2) February Increment – One question we get a lot is "What is a February Increment?"   Under NJ law, generally staff salary increases only happen twice a year, in September and in February. 

When you get your increment is based on your hire date.   If you were hired between March 1 and October 15

Colleagues,

1) THE NTU IN TRANSITION - Your NTU continues to develop the NTU TRANSITION PLAN and is currently focusing on a Building Rep Committee Plan.  It was introduced to the Executive Board and Building Reps that attended their monthly NTU Building Rep Meeting and widely supported.  If you are interested in hearing about this plan, ask your Building Rep.  For Executive Board and Building Rep meeting dates, see the NTU website.

2 ) Health Benefits Contribution:  A few members reached out to us to say their health benefits contribution went up on their paystub.  Unfortunately, over the last

Colleagues,

1)            Stipend Payment: We’ve gotten a lot of questions about when the district will be paying out the Turnaround/Head Start Stipends.  The date they gave us is January 19^th.

2)            Civil Service Classification Questionnaire: The Newark Public Schools has recently come under scrutiny by the Civil Service Commission relating to its classification of employees into non-Civil Service titles.  It has come to our attention that the Newark Public Schools has been circulating a Classification Questionnaire.  We have also been advised that the description of the work duties