BENTE Union Update (6-7-21)--Negotiations, Budget, Condolences, Juneteenth, BENTE endorsements

BENTE Union Update (6-7-21)--Negotiations, Budget, Condolences, Juneteenth, BENTE endorsements
June 7, 2021

Please take note of the following updates:  

NEGOTIATIONS: Negotiations for a successor Collective Bargaining Agreement between BENTE/AFSCME Local 2419 and the RCSD continue to take place on a semi-weekly to weekly basis. There have been a total of seven sessions, which began in March of 2021. The next session is scheduled for this Friday, June 11.  

Once an agreement is reached, it would need to be ratified by the members of BENTE and the Board of Education. At that time, we will send a notification with a summary of any changes to the contract along with information on voting, which will take place all day long at the BENTE Union office. We are doing our best to progress toward a fair agreement and we remain determined to get there.   

2021-2022 BUDGET: The 2021-2022 school year budget that was presented to the Board of Education did produce a handful of displacements. We are working with HCI on a transfer process. We successfully fought back against the elimination of 13 Bus Driver vacancies, which were restored in the final budget.  

CONDOLENCES: BENTE members are mourning the untimely passing of School Secretary, Ann-Marie Bradley. Ann-Marie graduated from the Rochester City School District and continued to play an important part in the lives of students. She used her savvy technological and people skills to quickly climb the ranks in clerical roles to become School Secretary at Montessori Academy School No. 53.  It was there that she flourished, being able to help the staff, students and families always brought out the best in her.   

“If you knew Ann-Marie, it was impossible to not fall in love with her warm spirit and winning personality,” said Nichelle Cave, School Secretary at #2 School. “Her young spirit touched many souls. Ann-Marie could have an engaging conversation with anyone. She was an inspiration to all who knew her and demonstrated her love for a world of non-judgmental and unconditional love for everyone.”   

Ann-Marie will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. Funeral arrangements are as follows: 

Cathedral of Hope Community Church 

1089 Joseph Ave. 

Rochester, NY 14621 

Friday, June 11th, 2021 

Calling hours from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm 

Services immediately following 

The family is requesting that you wear white or yellow and dress casually as those were her favorite colors and that was her style! 

JUNETEENTH: The RCSD Board of Education has designated Friday, June 18, 2020 a paid day off for all school staff in recognition of Juneteenth – a holiday celebrating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States.  Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. 

BENTE ENDORSEMENTS: The Political Action Committee for AFSCME Council 66, along with CSEA, has collectively endorsed Malik Evans for mayor. We interviewed both candidates, with Officers from BENTE Local 2419 and the leadership of City Local 1635 asking the questions, and the committee unanimously decided to endorse Malik Evans. The BENTE Local 2419 Executive Board has also approved the endorsement of Malik Evans. If you are a registered Democrat who lives in the City, please remember to vote in the primary on Tuesday, June 22.  

We also endorsed Camille Simmons, James Patterson, and Josh Bauroth for City School Board. Please support these candidates in the primary as well. 

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO AND STAY SAFE! 

In Solidarity,  

Dan DiClemente, President  
BENTE/AFSCME Local 2419  

“The Support Staff that Supports Students”    

If you have an issue, comment, or question please do not hesitate to e-mail me directly at dan@bentelocal2419.org.     

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