Sisters and Brothers, please take note of the following updates:
DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING: The Union litigated the case regarding the 2021 day before Thanksgiving; a day when 10-month and 11-month staff were paid for the day off and 12-month staff were required to report to work. The arbitrator rendered a decision that sustained the grievance in favor of the Union. The District was found to have violated the language in our new Collective Bargaining Agreement by requiring 12-month staff to report to work on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The arbitrator ruled that the District must pay ALL bargaining unit members who were required to work that day at time-and-a-half for all hours they worked in addition to the holiday pay you already received.
If you used paid time off for the day before Thanksgiving (i.e. vacation, illness, personal), the District will add the day back into your bank.
This is scheduled to be resolved today, May 6, so check your paycheck if you worked the day or your PTO bank if you used a paid day off, as it should be restored.
Please e-mail me if you have any questions or concerns at dan@bentelocal2419.org
2022-2023 PROPOSED RCSD BUDGET: There is a lot of confusion surrounding the proposed RCSD budget for 2022-2023. Vice President Ange Palmerini , Secretary-Treasurer Barbara Zarpentine and I met with new Interim Chief financial Officer, Vern Connnors, with whom we have a working relationship with from when he was previously with the District.
While we were assured that the impact would be very minimal on BENTE, we still are awaiting much needed detail before reaching any conclusions.
Similar to last year, ten vacant Bus Driver positions are proposed to be cut, despite a known issue with a lack of available drivers to get kids to and from school. The Board of Education insisted on the positions being restored last year and we are relying upon the same this year. Cuts to Food Service positions and hours are also proposed, which is contrary to the Meal Advisory Committee’s and BOE’S commitment to raise the quality of the food, which will require more staff and hours to provide freshly cooked hot meals. We expect the BOE to push for additional funding for Food Services and anticipate restorations prior to approval of the budget.
I will continue to keep you posted as we learn more information and attend follow-up meetings on the proposed budget for the 2022-2023 school year.
REST IN PEACE:
Mike Fittos, Custodian Engineer
In Solidarity,
Dan DiClemente, President
BENTE/AFSCME Local 2419
“The Support Staff that Supports Students”
This e-mail address is for outgoing messages only. I look forward to hearing from you, so please e-mail me at dan@bentelocal2419.org
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BENTE Local 2419