Paraprofessional
Message From The Chair
Paras Not Mandated to Attend Faculty Conferences
Paras Not Mandated to Attend Faculty ConferencesDear Paraprofessionals,
Welcome back. I hope you had a wonderful summer. As big changes unfold under the city’s new school structure, we are doing our best to make sure kids are well served and that you are treated professionally.
Are you ready for some fantastic news? It gives me great pleasure to inform you of our victory in the UFT-Initiated grievance regarding Para Faculty Conferences. Ladies and gentlemen, we won our case!
On Aug. 9, an arbitrator ruled that the DOE violated our contract by mandating that paras attend faculty conferences during the 2005-06 school year. As a remedy, the arbitrator ordered the DOE to cease and desist from requiring paraprofessionals to attend monthly, 40-minute, after-school faculty conferences. In addition, the arbitrator ruled that paras who were compelled to attend these conferences — and can prove it — be compensated at the per-session rate.
The arbitrator made it clear that it is to be the burden of the paraprofessionals to demonstrate both that they attended faculty conferences and that they were compelled to do so. A memo or directive from the principal would serve to prove that the conferences were mandated and attendance sheets would prove attendance.
Please speak to your chapter leader, or call your UFT borough office, if you have questions. Our advocates continued to pursue this matter through the summer on behalf of paraprofessionals. Many thanks to the UFT Grievance Department for a magnificent job.In Solidarity,
Shelvy Young Abrams
