GNTA
  • GNTA
    • Mission Statement
    • Executive Board
    • Delegate Assembly
    • BRC, BCG, & SDM
    • Staff
    • Benefit Trust Fund
    • Affiliates
    • Constitution & Bylaws
  • Information
    • GNTA Calendar 2022-23
    • District Calendar 2022-23
    • APPR
    • Pregnancy FAQs
    • Contact Form
    • Elections
    • Forms
    • Retirement
    • TAC Guidelines
    • Summer Scholarship
    • Teacher Center
    • Inservice
    • Tutoring Directory
    • Links
    • History >
      • 75 Years Strong
      • Video: A History of GNTA
  • New Members
  • Get Involved!
    • LAP
    • Political Action >
      • Talk Back-Fight Back
    • Social Justice
    • Social Outreach
  • News Blog
  • New Page

GNTA Supports its Affiliates in Show of Solidarity

3/15/2016

1 Comment

 
On March 14, GNTA President Sheila Henchy addressed the Great Neck Board of Education regarding the distressingly slow pace of the contract negotiations between the district and our four affiliate groups. Here is the text of her comments to the Board:

As you know, the Great Neck Teachers Association is an umbrella organization that includes four affiliate groups. Standing with me are their leaders: Joan Lazaunik, co-President with Jennifer Rodrigues of the Office Staff Association; Barbara Konigsberg and Pam Fogel, co-Presidents of the Paraprofessionals Chapter; and Mike Golden, President of the Per Diem Chapter. Nancy Sharifi, the President of the Adult Education Chapter, is not with us only because she teaches on Monday nights at Clover Drive. Among them, these leaders represent more than 500 employees of the Great Neck Public Schools. Many of them are with us in the audience, supported by their colleagues of the Great Neck Teachers Association.
 
We are here tonight because the members of all four affiliates have been working under expired contracts since June 30 of 2015. The pace of negotiations for successor agreements has been glacially slow. Two of these groups have been awaiting a financial proposal from the district for several weeks now. Each of the other two has only had an initial meeting, which was several months ago.
 
There has been little fanfare about the lack of movement in any of these negotiations, partly because the people affected are keenly aware of the financial pressures and constraints being experienced by the district. They have continued to do their jobs with professionalism and grace. Settlement of these contracts is, however, LONG overdue. We urge the Board, as it considers next year’s budget, to craft a reasonable financial proposal for each of the GNTA affiliates and re-commit to meaningful negotiations in order to reach four fair settlements as soon as possible.
 
Thank you.

1 Comment

GNTA Membership Approves Tentative Agreement

11/22/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
On November 20, by a vote of 428-288, 60%-40%, the membership of the Great Neck Teachers Association voted to approve the 4-year tentative agreement between the Board of Education and the GNTA. Thank you for voting and for your passionate engagement in the process. 

Here are the vote totals by building: 


​SCHOOL: YES/NO

E. M. Baker: 49/7
JFK: 36/16
Lakeville: 64/6
Parkville: 25/1
Saddle Rock: 29/29
North HS: 90/24
North MS: 62/18
South HS: 27/120
South MS: 32/55
Village School: 6/1
Clover/PPS/SEAL: 3/11
NSHA: 5/0

0 Comments

Delegate Assembly Approves Tentative Agreement

11/15/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
At a special meeting on November 10, after three hours of discussion and debate, the Delegate Assembly voted 54-20 to approve our tentative agreement with the Board of Education. This means that there will be a ratification vote by the entire membership on Friday, November 20 in all buildings. Prior to this, BRC Co-Chairs and members of our Negotiating Team will hold informational meetings in every building so our members can familiarize themselves with the details and have the opportunity to ask questions. Please make every effort to attend the informational meeting in your building so you can cast an informed vote on November 20.

0 Comments

500 GNTA Members Rally for a Fair Contract

11/1/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
500 GNTA members attended a Board of Education meeting at Saddle Rock Elementary School on October 19 in a massive demonstration of our solidarity as we fight for a fair contract. President Sheila Henchy addressed the Board as our membership stood in silence for the duration of her speech and the Board's response. ​Read Sheila's speech to the Board or watch it below:

0 Comments

Contract Negotiations UPDATE, June 2014

6/7/2014

 
PicturePres. Sheila Scimone
Several weeks ago I reported to you that the Board of Education, in response to pressure from some community members, had presented a six-year budget forecast. In the “personnel salaries” line for each year from 2015-2016 through 2018-2019, the Board projected 2% increases. I also told you that I had asked for a meeting with the Board to discuss GNTA’s concerns about this projection.

On Friday, May 30, Jim Daszenski (VP for Administration), Jennifer Snyder (VP for Professional Rights and Responsibilities), Kim Semder (VP for Contract Improvement), and I met with the Board and Dr. Dolan. All five members of the Board were present, which we felt (particularly on a Friday afternoon at 4:00!) was a mark of respect for GNTA. We had a very straightforward discussion, which lasted for about an hour.

We began by describing our dismay at the 2% salary figure. We explained that this appeared to be an opening shot across the bow in negotiations, nearly nine months prematurely, made worse by being public. We summarized our financial history for the last five years, reminding the Board of the sacrifices we made in the last and the current contracts. Kim described how we create a package of contract proposals through the CIC and how important that democratic process is to us as a union. We acknowledged the financial and community pressures that the Board is facing, but we also outlined the pressures GNTA members are feeling. We clearly communicated that we are committed to representing the interests of the faculty and negotiating a fair contract, no matter how long that takes.

The Board listened respectfully and asked several questions. President Barbara Berkowitz responded that a budget, particularly projected over a long term, is merely a blueprint, and that the Board could not possibly know a specific number to put in the personnel salary line prior to completed negotiations. She explained that they chose the 2% figure based on the 2% tax cap and that the Board recognizes that it is too early to speak about negotiations in concrete terms. Finally, she assured us that the Board intends to negotiate in good faith with us and is keeping an open mind.

We felt that the discussion was fruitful for both sides. We did caution the Board that we might break somewhat with tradition, should negotiations become protracted, and provide our members with more information about our progress than we have in the past. We do NOT feel that this blog, which is easily accessible to the public, is an appropriate forum for such information. To that end, PLEASE provide us with a personal email address for you by clicking the link below, if you haven’t already done so. It may become your only source of information on negotiations.


Personal Email Contact Form

In solidarity,
Sheila Scimone


Contract Negotiations UPDATE

5/8/2014

 
Picture
From President Sheila Scimone:

For at least the past year, the Budget Committee of the UPTC has asked for a multi-year budget projection from the Board of Education and implied a lack of transparency on the Board’s part because of its reluctance to provide one. I’ve attended all but one Board meeting this year, and the subject has come up at nearly every one. 

As a result, at the April 24 meeting, Assistant Superintendent for Business John Powell made a presentation of the district’s six-year forecast. This included a projection of the tax cap as well as the revenue and expenditure projections. The most disturbing feature of the expenditures projection, to me, was the line for personnel services: 

2013-14: 2.14%
2014-15: 3.15%
2015-16: 2.00%
2016-17: 2.00%
2017-18: 2.00%
2018-19: 2.00%

The first two years, of course, reflect collectively bargained salaries. The percentage figures include all increments: step and class. However, the last four years of the projection-which ALSO include all increments-have not yet been bargained: it is a public statement of the district’s goal for all bargaining units, including GNTA.

I understand that the district is under a great deal of pressure from a segment of the community that believes that expenditures can and should be cut further than they already have. After Mr. Powell’s presentation, the Board was pressed by several people to identify cuts that would be made if the projected revenues did not materialize: for example, what if fewer people than projected retire next year? or if required pension contributions go up instead of down as expected? The questioners made it clear that they do not want jobs cut or class sizes to go up. The only inference, then, is that they believe salaries should be cut. 

So yes, with the rest of the Executive Board, I understand that the district is under a great deal of pressure. But we are deeply disturbed that, in effect, making public a target number of 2% for total salaries for the four years following the expiration of this contract in 2015 does, in effect, begin negotiations now rather than next February. We also believe that it puts GNTA (and all other bargaining groups) at a disadvantage by placing specifics of negotiations squarely in the public eye. Both of these circumstances, we believe, have established a negative climate for negotiations before they’ve even begun.

Four members of the Executive Board-Jim Daszenski (Vice President for Administration), Jennifer Snyder (Vice President for Professional Rights and Responsibilities), Kim Semder (Vice President for Contract Improvement), and I-will be meeting with the Board of Education and the Superintendent on Friday, May 30 at 4:00 for a frank discussion of this situation. It is important that we make clear how very disturbed we are.

Which brings me to an important related topic. Clearly, this round of negotiations will be like none we’ve experienced previously. By mutual agreement with the district, we have always kept negotiations behind closed doors, believing that it’s counterproductive to have the entire community weighing in on the merit of various proposals. This time, however, we may need to share more information with you, particularly if negotiations are protracted. School email is obviously not the best means of doing so; nor is this website, since it’s difficult to password protect it and yet keep it accessible to all. SO...if you want to receive whatever information the Negotiations Team believes should be shared, we are asking that you provide us with a private email address that we can use for that purpose.

To sign-up, fill out the Contact Form on this site and you’re all set!

Glen Cove School District Settles New Contract

5/6/2014

 
Picture
The Glen Cove Teachers Association has just signed a new contract with their district covering July 1, 2011-June 30, 2016. Here are the essentials:



  • 2011-12: 0% + increment
  • 2012-13: 0% + increment
  • 2013-14: 0% + increment (through 5/1/14; effective 5/1/14, increment ceases but 1.5% added to base)
  • 2014-15: 1% + 0.5 of increment
  • 2015-16: 1% + 0.5 of increment 

Staff development requirement reduced by 5 hours. Tenured teachers will no longer be required to submit lesson plan books. Sub pay reduced from 1/200 MA Step 4 to $283 per day. Health insurance contribution: 20%.

Port Jefferson School District Settles New Contract

4/25/2014

 
Picture
From Portjeffschools.org:

"The Port Jefferson UFSD Board of Education (BOE) and the Port Jefferson Teachers Association (PJTA) are pleased to announce that they have approved a successor agreement to the labor contract that ended on June 30, 2013, which will run through June 30, 2017. 

"The new agreement calls for a zero percent increase in the salary schedule in year one, followed by a 1 percent annual increase in the salary schedule in years two through four. A step ‘freeze’ is in place for year three, and half-step increases are called for in years two and four (steps are movements ‘up’ the schedule based upon accrued years of service). One-time payments of $650 will be made to all teachers in years two and three, and teachers who are not eligible to move up a step on the salary schedule in year one will receive a one-time payment of $1,300.


"The net result of the agreement is to slow the rate of total salary growth and save significant sums in the short and long term. The district will realize a savings of approximately $850,000 over the 4-year term of the agreement (as compared to the expired contract language)."

Read the full press release.

Long Island Contract News

1/21/2014

 
Picture
Two school districts have recently settled new contracts. In September, Massapequa signed a 4-year agreement (2012-2016) for a 0% raise plus salary step increment in the first year and a 1% raise with salary step increments in the following 3 years. (However, in the contract’s middle 2 years, the increment increases don’t take effect until February of those years). Hicksville signed a 4-year contract (2013-1017) last November for a 1.5% raise plus increment in the first year; 1.5% raise in year 2 with no increment; 0.5% raise with half increment in year 3; and 1% raise with half increment in the final year of the agreement. Hicksville makes a 20% contribution to their health insurance; Massapequa chips in 15%.

Need More Than 2 Personal Days?

10/27/2012

 
Did you know that you can now use sick days as personal days should you require more than the two (2) personal days guaranteed by the contract? With the Superintendent's approval, and in keeping with the contract's guidelines, you can use sick leave for personal leave if necessary. See Article 34 in the contract for more information regarding personal leaves.

You can get the Personal Leave Application form from the GNPS website.

    Archives

    March 2023
    October 2022
    September 2022
    March 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    June 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    November 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012

    Categories

    All
    Accolades
    Affiliates
    AFT
    Board Of Education
    Bylaws & Constitution
    Community
    Contract News
    Curriculum
    Defensive Driving
    Education News
    Elections
    Financial Aid Fund
    GNPS Budget
    Healthcare
    Inservice
    Legal Services
    Member Benefits
    Mentoring
    New Members
    Newsletter
    NYSUT
    Organizing
    Political Action
    President's Report
    Required Reading
    Resources
    Retirement
    Scholarships
    Selection Committees
    Social
    Summer Scholarships

    RSS Feed

Great Neck Teachers Association
NYSUT, AFT-NEA, AFL-CIO #2686 | The Cottage • 343 Lakeville Road • Great Neck, NY 11020 
gnteachers@gmail.com | @GNTeachers
(516) 829-9070