NTU Updates

Colleagues,

1)  LIFO Lawsuit - Earlier this week, the Newark Teachers Union, AFT New Jersey and the American Federation of Teachers filed a motion seeking to intervene in a complaint filed by the Partnership for Educational Justice challenging New Jersey’s law that aims to protect experienced teachers.  This lawsuit has been the latest in a series of corporate-led attacks around the nation on tenure protections.  There is a distinct conflict of interest for the Newark Public Schools since the defendant in the case has spoken out in favor of the plaintiffs’ position on numerous occasions.

“Newark

Colleagues,

1)    NJEA Convention – We have been getting a few questions about cost, child care, etc for the NJEA Convention.  You should be able to get answers to any questions at NJEA’s convention website - http://njeaconvention.org/general-information/.  If you need a notification form for your principal or info on how to get Professional Improvement Fund money to attend, visit our website: http://newark.nj.aft.org/news/njea-convention. 

2)    Retirement – If you are considering retiring, it is vital that you speak to the NTU Retiree Chapter.  Too often, we find out later that people are

Colleagues,

 1)      Respect the Contract – Negotiations continue between NTU and NPS regarding our contract.  Things have been progressing well in many areas, though the process continues to be slow. Our next negotiations session is scheduled for next Thursday.  Hopefully, we will have some news to report out after that session.  Until then, continue to RESPECT THE CONTRACT!  Nothing more, nothing less! 

2)      NJEA Convention – We have been getting a few questions about cost, child care, etc for the NJEA Convention.  You should be able to get answers to any questions at NJEA’s convention

Brothers & Sisters:

I am cautiously optimistic in reporting out the results of Wednesday’s NTU Executive Board Meeting.  As we are all anxious to hear about the contract, I’ll get to that first:

The Negotiation Team (Michael Iovino, Carmen Lopez-Wolf, Ronnie Carney, John Cunha, Nancy Gianni, and Michael Maillaro) reported to the board that there was enough favorable movement at Wednesday’s negotiation session to schedule another meeting on November 9^th.  Certain deal breaker proposals were taken off the table and favorable proposals temporarily agreed upon.  Salary and benefits were also

Dear Colleagues,

1)    Respect the Contract Update – Reports of RTC success keep coming in; sadly, so do reminders of why we fight. At an NPS discipline hearing last week, a teacher was disciplined for coming in 10 minutes late (five 2 minute occurrences) while the district neglected to take into consideration that he had spent the last five years staying a half hour late each day assisting disadvantaged students.

He will not stay late any more.

We have scheduled to resume negotiations with the Newark Public Schools on 10/19. Let's show our negotiations team we support them by fighting within the

Colleagues,

1)       Respect the Contract: Attendance Counselors - Teachers, Aides and Clerks are NOT Attendance Counselors!! If the NPS wants Attendance Counselors then they should call them back to work. Schools have been asking staff to call parents any time their students are absent during their lunch or perp periods.  There isn't enough time in your day; instruction, prep periods, etc are NOT to be used to do someone else's job. Use the tools in our Respect the Contract toolkit to protect yourself!

2)       Respect the Contract: Prep Period Survey - Prep Periods are NOT free periods...they

Colleagues,

1)      DYFS Update – Recently, an arbitrator put out a pretty shocking decision regarding a teacher allegedly bullying students.  Definitely something you should read and take to heart when dealing with students.

2)      NPS Advisory Board Meeting

Tuesday, September 27, 2016       6:00 PM

Elliott Street School

721 Summer Avenue

Newark, NJ 07104

If you would like to speak at the Advisory Board  Meeting, please submit this form by 4 PM, 5 days before the meeting date!

3)      Reminder: Membership Meeting - On Monday, September 26, 2016, we will be having a membership meeting at the Newark

Colleagues,

1) Respect the Contract – Yesterday, President Abeigon sent out a notice to all school staff about upcoming “contract actions.”   Please review that email.  More information will be coming after Monday’s Building Rep Meeting.

2) Election Day - We have been receiving numerous calls regarding this coming presidential election day, Tuesday, Nov 8th. Here is the law regarding that day:

NJSA 18A:25-3. Teaching etc., on holidays not required
No teaching staff member shall be required to perform his duties on any day declared by law to be a public holiday and no deduction shall be made from

Colleagues,

1)      Paydates: Today is the first payday of the year.  It should be a seven day check for full time staff (per diem staff are paid a week behind).  If you have any issues with your check, please email Mike Maillaro at mmaillaro@newarkteachersunion.com.  Attached is the list of all the pay dates for the year from our upcoming calendar book.

2)      NTU Website – Reminder!  Our website is http://newark.nj.aft.org.  Our old website has been inactive for close to a year. 

3)      Political Action- Please call or email your legislators ASAP and throw your support behind Senate &

Colleagues,

1)    Negotiations Update – On June 2, the Negotiations Committee presented a confidential draft of our contract proposals to the NTU Executive Board for review and discussion.  The reaction to the committee's proposals by the Executive Board was overwhelmingly positive.  Our Negotiations Committee will be meeting one last time to make final edits suggested by the Executive Board before our first negotiations session with the NPS team on June 15. 

2)    Paycards - Colleagues, it was brought to our attention that many people have not activated their Paycards yet. If you already have