End of the School Year Report

by Teresa West, Chief Steward, MNPS

Wow, has this been a busy year!  If you haven’t yet come by your new Union hall, please drop by.  I wish you could see where we started and where it is now.  Thanks to all who gave of their time, energy and talents to help paint, remodel, clean and make our new home sparkle.  This year has seemed to fly by, but there are things you need to be aware of before leaving for the summer or going to summer schedules.

First of all, we have fought for all positions to be saved during this budget process, but this is a very difficult time in our country and we have not been able to maintain all positions. It greatly pains me to say that some of our Brothers and Sisters will be temporarily unemployed.  There will be 66 custodial positions and 32 Campus Supervisor positions cut from the budget.  SEIU is working with the Human Resources department to move the topmost senior employees on the list to other positions as they become available.  Those for whom there is no position available will be placed on a recall list and will be recalled to the next available position for which they are qualified.  SEIU will be there for those members to make certain that no one falls through the cracks of the system.  If you have qualifications other than those used in your current position - say you have office skills or food service experience - please update your information with Human Resources as this may make you available to fill another position.  As positions become available all employees should be recalled to a position.

For your rights after the first placement from recall, please refer to your Employee Handbook, Chapter 1, article C.  As always, we will be dependent on you to let us know about particular information regarding your placement issues.  If at any time you cannot contact me, such as during summer months, please call Scotty Davison at 227-5070, ext. 13.

The second important bit of information you need is concerning transfers.  During the past negotiation period, a new procedure was developed regarding transfers.  It is located in your Employee Handbook on page 1, Chapter 1, article C.  Please read this and think about any positions or schools that you might want to transfer to should there be an opening.  You will be receiving from the Human Resources department a form to complete to notify them of any position or school that you might wish to transfer to.  You must complete this form to be eligible to transfer to your desired position.  This only pertains to transfers.  If a job comes up for bid, you will still have to bid on that job.  Again, this only pertains to transfers and this must be completed during the month of May.  I would advise you to keep a copy of this document for your records.

It is a pleasure to stand up for and with our members.  When we stand together, we win and we have a voice. Be assured that the staff at your Union, as well as me are very concerned for our Brothers and Sisters who are being laid off and are working to bring them back into employment as soon as possible.  We know the service they provide and how they will be missed until they are recalled.  We also know that someone must do the jobs they leave behind.  While we are all dedicated to serving the children, we must also protect our rights by not working off of the clock.  In this too, we must stand together.

SEIU, Stronger together!