BENTE Members:
Superintendent Lesli Myers-Small has withdrawn her own proposal to furlough 170 food service workers and 49 security staff, thereby denying those BENTE workers access to district health care in the middle of a pandemic.
During the September meeting, the Board of Education voted to lay-off 219 BENTE members, but cited furloughs as a viable financial option and providing health care as a way to lessen the pain.
Instead, the superintendent chose to cut off health care to the people she laid off, leaving them with no way to pay for it. These are the same heroes who risked their own health to feed and protect children during the first wave of COVID-19.
Yesterday, we contacted the remaining food service employees to inform them that they have been displaced and that the district has cut their hours and demoted them from their title.
And this administration is not done. The Chief Financial Officer has vowed to propose 20 percent budget reductions at the Finance Committee meeting next week, even though there is little chance that Governor Cuomo will reduce funding to that degree. We have no idea what to expect next.
Thursday, October 15th, is the last day for BENTE’s laid-off members. The Union will hold a rally/press conference inside the Fire Fighters’ Hall on 65 Hudson Ave at 4:00PM. There is plenty of parking available.
We need everyone to come out to illustrate the importance of support staff in this district.
Please plan to attend and wear your mask.
In Solidarity,
Dan DiClemente, President
BENTE/AFSCME Local 2419
“The Support Staff that Supports Students”
If you have an issue or comment, please do not hesitate to e-mail me directly at dan@bentelocal2419.org.
BENTE Rally
BENTE Local 2419