37 1/2 Minutes

Speech teachers were originally told to do the same activities as all the other teachers in the school during the 37 1/2 minutes. However, some districts violated this agreement and two grievances were filed: one for District 75 schools and the other for non-District 75 schools. In a show of unity, numerous speech teachers were asked to send me documentation of the violations and to testify at our arbitration. Many valiant chapter members were willing to fight this injustice. Last week, we testified at this arbitration and our arguments were compelling. I am sure we made an impression on the arbitrator. We can be proud of the work of our Grievance Department and of our president, Randi Weingarten, who testified on behalf of speech teachers about the Memorandum of Understanding and the language that was agreed to at negotiations. Her testimony was unwavering and the DOE's attorney was clearly frustrated. This case will go the arbitrator on June 21 and I promise to keep all of you informed to the outcome.

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