Rohnert Park Cotati Educators Association

Since 1963

Rep Council MINUTES

February 8, 2017

3:45 p.m.-5:15 p.m. TPA Room D1

Attendees: Jen Bodlovich (President), Jessica Gilleran (2nd VP), Yvonne Cobert (2nd VP), Jessica Gilleran (acting Secretary), Carley Harp (Bargaining Chair).

Site Reps: Craig Stone (WR), Amy Miller (TPA), Vivian Winfrey (MV), Julie Rinaldi (RCHS), Meaghan Cutler (Hahn), Ramona Kelsey (EV), Suki Winship (TPA), David Freebairn (THS), Betsy Moses (RCHS), Kate McGerhity (RCHS)

  1. Call to OrderTime: 4:03

Not enough members were present to have a quorum. 11 site reps present.

Grievance Training by Andy Witthohn CTA liaison
A CTA grievance packet was provided for all attendees. The presentation was taped and will be uploaded onto the RPCEA website. The highlights of Andy’s speech includes but is not limited to the following:

  1. Roles and Responsibilities-
  1. President
  2. Executive Board
  3. Governance body
  4. Site grievance representative
  5. Grievance committee
  6. Staff
  1. The Process-
  2. Get the facts- verification of alleged grievance. Take time to get the facts.
  3. There is a form to fill out to get all the facts: Who, what, when, where, why and how (was the contract violated?) Determine whether the contract was violated. It makes no sense to have a contract unless it is upheld. It is important to establish a precedent and defend the contract.
  4. Get it in writing. Get a written statement.
  5. Let the process work- Don’t judge the grievance or grievant yourself.
  6. Complaint evaluation- Who, What, When, Where, Why, How?
  7. Insubordination-
  8. You are not required to follow a director’s directive unless it puts your health and safety or a student’s health and safety at risk.
  9. Rule #1: Follow the directive- Don’t be insubordinate. Remember who’s the boss!
  10. Work, then grieve rule- If a worker at your site comes to you and questions a directive issued by an immediate supervisor or principal, advise him/her to discuss the objections with the principal.
  11. Checklist for handling a grievance initially- There is a checklist to help get all the facts.
  12. Guidelines for an administrative meeting- 9 points to provide support for meeting with an administrator
  13. You are there to provide support. Listening carefully, take basic notes, ask for copies of any documentation, don’t be defensive and SILENCE IS GOLDEN (Don’t feel pressured to respond or to say something when there is a void in the conversation).
  14. Don’t feel as if you are below an administrator. You are on an equal level with the administrator.
  15. You always want to try to settle the grievance if at all possible with the administrator.
  16. Presenting the grievance- You have 20 work days (doesn’t count weekends or holidays) between when you knew or should have known of contract violation.
  17. You cannot lose a grievance at Level 1.
  18. Writing it up- KISS Method- Keep it simple!
  19. Describe what happened; not what didn’t happen.
  20. Sample Grievance Timetable-
  21. Duty of Fair Representation- A certain amount of our dues is for representation.
  22. The Weingarten Rule- An employee has the right to have a union representative at a meeting.
  23. You have the right to a representative of YOUR choice, not the administrator’s choice.
  24. Procedure for Grievances- Article 10 of our contract

Bargaining Report: Carley Harp

  1. 184 Responses to online survey asking members what they recommend bargaining move forward with for Spring negotiations.
  2. Meeting with Administration tomorrow to discuss how to move forward with information from the survey.

State Council: Amy Miller

  1. Amy is on the retirement committee for State Council.
  2. Check out the CalSTRS website. April, 2017- 403 B information will be posted.
  3. Friedricks case being discussed regarding union dues. Could make agency fee no longer required. This could have long lasting repercussions for unions.
  4. Next meeting is March 28th.

Grievance Report: Jen

  1. Step 2 with a grievance with RCHS- Article 7 reassignments at RCHS.

Membership: Yvonne, Jessica

  1. Cookie party was attended by 15 teachers from around the district. $211 dollars towards sending teachers to workshops.
  2. Feedback from members that happy hour and a book club would be enjoyed. Yvonne and Jessica will be organizing

President’s Report: Jen

  1. March 15th is the date for non reelects.
  2. Questions arose regarding the difference between non reelect and being laid off. Looking into comparing our district to others regarding number of non reelects.
  3. We are looking for a secretary. Please post in your staff room that there is an opening. A secretary not only takes notes but attends meetings and assists the Eboard. Currently, Jen is doing many of the Secretary’s responsibilities and it is cutting into her job as President.

New Business:

  1. Women’s Rights Writing Contest (Vivian Winfrey)- Site reps please post and share the orange paper. Choose 3 of the best writings from your class to submit. March 31st deadline.
  2. Very open ended celebration of writing! (Common Core linked)
  3. $20 gift certificates to winners and honored at SB meeting
  4. Bylaws Ad-Hoc committee- Bob not present to give report
  5. CTA “Safe Haven” Resolution
  6. Recognition of a safe haven school district from SRCS (Santa Rosa City Schools)
  7. Trustee Nonn will be bringing up “Safe Haven” resolution to the SB for our school district.
  8. Poll taken and 13 out of 13 voted to support “Safe Haven” for CRPUSD.
  9. California Read Books:
  10. Approval given for purchasing California Reads books for sites.

Site Concerns:

  1. Privacy-
  2. Privacy concerns regarding district access to personal information. Certain teachers may be flagged and monitored.
  3. If there is something important that you need to keep personal then use your own data plan.
  4. Jen will look into this with CTA.
  5. Cleanliness at Tech High
  6. No administrators present for the Restorative Practices workshop. Teachers were told when the next Restorative Practices workshop and the dates were given. No administrators were allowed to go because of Administrative meeting (Adco)

Adjournment- time 5:33 pm

Respectfully submitted by Jessica Gilleran