GEA- Update Fall 2021 - MOU pass and other developments

 Dear Colleagues:


We would like to update you on some union items.

1.  The MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) passed 75-1.  As stated earlier, if covid numbers change, our MOU will be updated.

2.  Article XIV-Temporary Leaves of Absence, Section A page 12 of our contract states:

"Personal leave which extends a holiday or vacation period shall be at the discretion of the Superintendent."

If you are planning on extending a long weekend of vacation by taking a personal day, do not be surprised if it is taken without pay.  Superintendent Jacobs is willing to listen and discuss with any member why they need the day off (which does not need to be cited), however, if you are looking to take a day with pay that extends a long weekend or vacation, I strongly urge you to reach out to Superintendent Jacobs to discuss further.

3.  Retirement-Currently there are two bills in the state legislature making their way through various committees concerning the possibility of buying up to five years at 10% of your base salary and using those years towards retirement.  Without going too deep into the weeds, the GEA will be hosting a retirement meeting for any member who is interested in learning exactly what needs to be done on your end to make sure you are fully prepared when the time comes to retire.  The meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 5th from 3-4 PM with our MTA Rep, David Murray and a MTA retirement specialist. At this time, we do not know whether the meeting will be in person or via zoom.  We will let you know ASAP when that decision is made.

Per our contract, if you plan to retire at the end of this school year, you need to notify the Superintendent by November 1st of your intent to retire.  Failure to notify the Superintendent by November 1st would sacrifice the possibility of you buying back your sick days.  

More than likely, these retirement bills WILL NOT pass before November 1st, if at all.  The GEA is currently discussing relaxing the November 1st deadline clause with the Superintendent and School Committee so that members who choose to retire at the end of this current school year have the ability to buy back their sick time.  Please let me know if you are planning on retiring this year so that we may work with you in making sure you have everything you need in order.

Thanks

Joe

Popular posts from this blog

Post Override Fail Update

Image
Dear Colleagues: The override vote has been devastating for membership.  The GEA will be pushing hard for any and all cuts to come from other areas that do not involve direct service providers.  We want to assure members that we will be going over every cut with a fine tooth comb to make sure all contractual language was followed.  We would like to direct membership to Article XXIV-Layoff and Recall clause located on pages 19-22 of our current contract to learn more.  That language specifically outlines the steps that the district needs to follow.  We would like to specifically point out Section 2 A and B on page 20. 2A- To the extent possible and practical, normal attrition will be the first method used, to reduce the number of teaching positions in those classifications and/or department in which reductions are necessary.  That is, teachers who resign, retire, or otherwise terminate their employment shall not be replaced.  Also, includ...
Read more

Union Update

Image
Dear Colleagues: On the heels of a successful parent/educator forum, we have our first combined (GCAT)-Georgetown Contract Action Team and (PAT) Parent Action Team meeting slated for this Thursday, May 2nd.  At this meeting, we will discuss our next collective steps to address district leadership and the serious morale issue.   The Negotiating Team will also be meeting on May 2nd to discuss the district's last set of proposals and formulating our responses.  This Friday, May 3rd, MTA Rep Kevin Tierney and I will be listening to a district response regarding the "Involuntary Transfers" grievance filed and heard a few weeks back.  We will update membership with the district response, asap. Tuesday, May 14th is our next Negotiating Bargaining session.  A reminder that the session will be held in the GMHS Cafeteria beginning at 4:30 PM.  Silent members please be in the cafeteria by 4:15 PM and we need as many members to be there as possible. Finally, I wan...
Read more

Update

Image
Dear Colleagues: Here is the latest update. The GEA GCAT members are asking members to attend a short 5-10 building meeting to learn more about this upcoming, important meeting. Penn Brook had a great turnout at our meeting last Thursday. GMHS Members will meet tomorrow, Monday, May 20th right after school in the Community Room. The GCAT/PAT Team Co-authored a strongly worded letter that will be read at Thursday's School Committee Meeting.  We are hopeful that every GEA member signs this petition that can be found by clicking the link below no later than Monday, May 20th but also make plans to attend the School Committee Meeting next Thursday night, May 23rd.  The meeting will be held at Town Hall and we are asking ALL members to attend and be there no later than 6:00 PM.  We are asking members to park at the Park and Ride and walk over to Town Hall due to limited parking. Signing the petition and attending the School Committee Meeting are extremely...
Read more