Greetings,
It gives me great pleasure to bring you some of the best news for paraprofessionals
since we ratified our first UFT contract in 1969. For years, I’ve
worked alongside many of you to get the same job protections for paras
that teachers have. Now, we have scored not one, but three major victories
in that arena!
Believe it when I tell you there will be no more layoffs of paraprofessionals.
It’s a fact. The only exception would be if the city is threatened
with bankruptcy and major budget cuts must be made. That last happened
in 1975 — more than 30 years ago, and it’s not likely to happen
again.
Second, we now have citywide seniority, so there will be no more “bumping” of
the least senior paras in the district. Last, but not least, just like
teachers, paras can now apply to transfer to another school.
Please read with care about these expanded rights in this issue of the
Parascope.
I want to thank our president, Randi Weingarten, because when she saw that
the DOE was dragging its feet on working with us to settle these rights,
which we ratified last year in the 2003-07 contract, she
lit a fire under their feet.
As your new chapter chair, I feel especially proud to have the opportunity
to deliver this news. I hope you feel the same way when you realize how
long we have worked to get this far. You will receive a copy of the new
contract as soon as it is printed.
Results of the Para Chapter Elections also will be posted on our Web site.
In Solidarity ,
Shelvy Young Abrams