While every grievance begins as a complaint, all complaints do not become grievances.  In order to know what complaints can be processed as grievances, you will need to refer to the collective bargaining agreement between Sussex County Community College and the Sussex County Community College Chapter of the United Adjunct Faculty of New Jersey, Local 2222, for the definition of a grievance.  As you will see in Article IV. Section A. of the contract, a grievance can arise from the interpretation of the collective bargaining agreement, the application or violation of policies, agreements or administrative decisions affecting bargaining unit members.

The purpose of the grievance procedure is to provide for the speedy, orderly and equitable resolution of disputes.

Inherent in the grievance procedure is the remedy sought which must be identified in order to make the grievant whole.  In selecting an appropriate remedy, it is important to keep in mind that the purpose of the remedy is restoration not retribution.  The remedy should be consistent with the collective bargaining agreement in order to protect the integrity of the contract.

If you feel that the conditions for a grievance have been met, please do the following:

1. Carefully document all facts including dates and times pertaining to the grievance.
2. Contact the Chapter Chair, Hank Pomerantz.

Remember that there is a big difference between a gripe and a grievance.  A grievance is a formal challenge to the employer that the contract has been violated.

Fortunately, most problems can be settled informally without filing paperwork.  But it is imperative that you contact the local leadership as soon as possible when you feel you have a grievance.  There are strict timelines for the filing process, and they start the minute the violation takes place.

Orange County

Oakland

Union issues statement on innovation proposals

Information on certification.

www.galtheraldonline.com/articles/2010/04/21/news/doc4bcf2d1a08c24166077803.txt

The Galt Herald covered our event last Thursday.

CALL 1(888)202-2246 and oppose Senate Bill 955.  Hurry, because the vote is on Wednesday.  Here is what the bill would do:

Senate Bill 955 (Huff) proposes to:

• Eliminate the March RIF (reduction in force) notice to teachers and eliminate their right to request a hearing.
• Allow districts to ignore teacher experience in the classroom when making layoff and rehiring decisions. These decisions would be based on teacher evaluations, even though many districts do not conduct them regularly as required by law.
• Eliminate teachers' due process rights in a dismissal hearing.
• Authorize assignment, reassignment, and transfer of teachers based on evaluations and subject matter needs, and without regard to experience. 

Click on the title to read the arguments against this bill.

"There's some good news out of Washington. After months of pressure on Congress and the administration to include an education jobs fund as part of an overall jobs package, they acknowledged the need for federal funding to help prevent layoffs and save jobs. Last week, U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, introduced the $23 billion Keep Our Educators Working Act. The legislation would create an Education Jobs Fund, sending $1.4 billion to New York. The federal aid can be used to retain existing employees, to hire new employees or for staff training.

Both N.Y. Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand are co-sponsors of the legislation. Send a letter to them and your members of Congress showing that you support the bill. A similar bill is making the rounds in the House. The Local Jobs for America bill also creates a $23 billion education jobs fund. It is sponsored by a majority of the New York delegation -- with the exceptions of Scott Murphy (CD-20), Michael Arcuri (CD-24), Chris Lee (CD-26), Peter King (CD-3) and Michael McMahon (CD-13). "

http://www.nysut.org/cps/rde/xchg/nysut/hs.xsl/contactelectedofficials_1...

Part of the California state budget crisis stems from the lack of enforcement of deadbeat tax evaders and the inability of the legislatiuture to tax the wealthiest segment of our population at the same percent as the rest of us.  We need to raise awareness about implementing a meaningful progressive tax system so everyone pays a fair share in our efforts to bridge the budget deficit. Some simple changes to the tax code can increase state revenue by $13 billion.

Click on the title for examples

No-Cost Prescription Drug Savings Card!

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That's right -- no cost to you for this valuable Prescription Savings Card. Save on prescription drugs for you and your family.  You can save even more with their convenient mail-order pharmacy.

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