 Salary Increment Update for Six (6) Hour Aides…
One of our outside legal counsels (Zazzali, Fagella, Nowak, Kleinbaum & Friedman) continues to move forward on salary increments for our 6 hr aides.
Please click on the two (2) links below to read outside counsel's letters to PERC and NPS. Shortly, the NTU will also forward to the building reps at each school/location copies of the full complaint for posting in your school.
In Solidarity, John Abeigon, Director of Organization & Joseph Del Grosso, NTU President.
Legal counsel letter dated 1/9/2012 to PERC
Legal counsel letter dated 1/20/2012 to NPS
THINK TWICE! From John Abeigon, NTU Dir of Organization
Click here for related & developing NJ Spotlight story by John Mooney
The NPS has requested that you voluntarily answer a “Culture Survey”. Before deciding to take this survey we feel it is important that you have some background information regarding The New Teacher Project—the NPS’s “partner” in preparing the survey and their opinions regarding teachers. The NTU has joined with our brothers & sisters in CASA and Dr. Lenoard Pugliese CASA President in opposing this voluntary survey. Click here to read CASA letter to members.
Please take the time to review these attachments regarding the New Teacher Project and their founder Michelle Rhee, the now disgraced former golden child of the so-called education reform movement.
http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2009/06/new-teacher-project-and-new-democrats.html
https://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/04/11
The New Teacher Project was founded by now discredited Michelle Rhee. It actively works for the elimination or weakening of tenure, and the elimination of seniority rights. TNTP has been instrumental in putting out some of the most damaging "reports" and “surveys” about teachers and teacher unions in the recent past. TNTP also has consistently misrepresented and attacked effective, union-led programs. They are opponents of teacher union rights and contracts.
Please keep these facts in mind should you be located in a school where the administration has opted to allow their school to participate. Your principal’s decision to participate does not in any way obligate you to participate in this voluntary survey.
Solidarity at this time is imperative. Please feel free to call me with any questions or concerns and DO NOT hesitate to report any coercion or intimidation to participate in the survey to this union.
NTU FINALIZES CONTRACTUAL COMMITTEES...
President Joe DelGrosso and Director of Organization John Abeigon enlisted the support of NTU members who were interested in serving on a variety of district committees representing the NTU.
The following committees have been established and will be the driving force in representing NTU’s member interests and educational concerns: Quality Control Committee, Discipline Committee, School-Based Management Implementation & Monitoring Committee & the Curriculum Committee.
Click here to download a PDF of the committees, contacts & descriptions.
 EMPLOYMENT TERMINATED- BENEFITS? 
Click here to read more about benefits available to you when your employment is terminated due to resignation, dismissal or layoff. This is Fact Sheet #31 from the New Jersey Division of Pensions.
NTU MEMBERS REJECT NPS TEACHER EVALUATION PLAN
NTU members rejected New Jersey and Newark Public Schools’ plans to roll out a flawed pilot teacher evaluation system in Newark. NTU’s Executive Board voiced serious concerns during an Executive Board meeting regarding the proposed teacher evaluation plan. The Executive Board unanimously passed a resolution that rejected the recommendations made by the Governor's task force, and offered researched based criteria that should be included in an effective teacher evaluation process. The Newark Teachers Union supports reform, but it must come from the practitioners, and not be imposed on them by the state.To download and read the resolution in its entirety, click here
NJ DIV. OF PENSION & BENEFITS UPDATE
The NJ Division of Pensions and Benefits just sent the NTU updated information regarding the new health benefits plans that they are making available and the Open Enrollment period running from October 17 to November 11, 2011.
Note: Premium rate charts for the new plans are being finalized and this information will be sent to employers as soon as possible.
To download and read detailed updates from the NJ Division of Pension & Benefits regarding NEW PLAN DESIGNS, EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR SEHBP COVERAGE, WAIVING SEHBP COVERAGE, DENTAL PLANS & EMPLOYEE COSTS, DISTRIBUTION OF OPEN ENROLLMENT MATERIALS AND OTHER INFORMATION, CLICK HERE...
NTU FILES BEFORE/AFTER HOUR’S GRIEVEANCE
Too often NTU members are being docked for arriving late to work, or leaving early because of personal emergencies. On the other hand, NTU members who are frequently directed or requested to perform responsibilities in the school beyond the school day are not compensated. Consequently, the NTU has filed a grievance. Please click here to view the before/after hour’s grievance…
If any NTU member has not been compensated for activities beyond the school day, such as supervising students arriving and/or departing on a school bus or staying after school with students in emergency situations (i.e., suicide concerns, medical issues, neglect/abuse) contact Michael Maillaro at the Newark Teachers Union so we can add your specific information to the grievance. You can call 973-643-8430 ext 20 or email mmaillaro@ntuaft.com.
NPS ORGANIZATION AND CONSULTANTS
The state takeover of the Newark Public Schools, as well as the Facebook millions and the matching grant monies have probably contributed to the army of consultants working in the Newark Public Schools. The NTU can identify the names of a number of these individuals and organizations, but finding out who they work for, what their specific responsibilities are and how much they make has been difficult to ascertain. These consultants’ actions and inactions may explain why it has been difficult to get NPS organizational and other needed information. Therefore, the NTU filed a number of OPRA (Open Public Records Act) requests and other formal legal inquiries.
STATE TAKEOVER STATUS
The State of New Jersey took over our schools in 1995. Now after 16 years of failure, they are still here plundering the education of our city and our children. Our nation is in the age of indulgence. Everyone wants, but no one is willing to pay.
The attention has been focused on demanding public employees and educators pay for the bill for the crimes of Wall Street. The so-called “education experts” in charge are committing the oldest of crimes in the newest of ways.
The NTU supports the NPS’s Advisory Board’s unanimous vote and State Senator Rice’s advocacy to end to the takeover. Consequently, the NTU has joined a coalition of groups to mount a court challenge to the state’s decision.
In response, we can either be bitter or better. I choose the latter. I ask you now for your help to rid us of this evil. Stand together and demonstrate our resolve to provide leadership, the leadership that will lead our state district, our community, and our students to the success we all can achieve.
HELP WANTED! END STATE TAKEOVER NOW!!
TEACHER OBSERVATIONS AND EVALUATIONS...
Are you feeling stressed about your evaluation? Do you have questions about the wording or methodology used in your evaluation? Are you not sure of how your rebuttal should be written or when and to whom it should be submitted?
You can reach out to Cheryl Skeete-Carey! In addition to being an NTU Vice President, Cheryl is the NTU Representative on NPS's Observation and Evaluation Committee. She is ready, willing, and able to assist and guide you through this stressful & important process.
Keep in mind that you not only have a right to attach a rebuttal to you evaluation, but that rebuttal is also your first line of defense when receiving an inaccurate evaluation and the submission of the rebuttal is
TIME-SENSITIVE. DON'T GO IT ALONE!
You can reach Cheryl Skeete-Carey for your protection and peace of mind at the NTU, 973-643-8430.
|
For more information on the these upcoming activities 
Novemberr 2011
A TALE OF TWO SCHOOLS - SPECIAL WATCHDOG NTU BULLETIN 