CAT Tracks for July 3, 2002 PURRFECT CATS

PERFECT ATTENDANCE GRIEVANCE

De De O'Shea (as Association Representative) and Gloria Wiggins (as the aggrieved) met with Superintendent Isom on Tuesday in a Step Two Grievance Meeting.

Gloria was one of a number of teachers (more on that later) who did NOT use a sick day or a personal day during the past school year. According to the contractual agreement, these teachers should have received a $250 stipend on June 14th...which they did not.

De De called me Tuesday afternoon to let me know that the Superintendent has agreed to pay those teachers. Evidently, the District is taking the position that it did not really have to...but that it will. The Distict is also taking the position that its "magnanimous" gesture shall not establish a "precedent". Well...we disagree with that position! You do NOT need a precedent when the contract is clear and unambiguous.

Speaking of "a number of teachers"...

Reportedly, the Central Office does NOT have a record of those teachers who had perfect attendance last year...so they do NOT know who to pay at this time. So...if you did not use a sick day or a personal day last year...PLEASE...notify the Central Office and claim your "prize"!

LATE...AS USUAL!

Speaking of grievances...

On Monday, the Association had to file the annual grievance over late summer paychecks. Several teachers have already received two paychecks LATE this summer..out of three.

This did not really come as a surprise...since these teachers ALWAYS receive their summer paychecks late - a VIOLATION of the Contractual Agreement! It was not surprising, but it IS inexcusable. Yes...once in a while the U.S. Postal Service might rear its ugly head...BUT...that does NOT explain the consistant pattern of lateness experienced by these teachers.

This issue needs to become a priority of all personnel responsible for the preparation, signing, and mailing of checks. If it were their checks that were always late...