ARTICLE ONE

Jan 26, 2007 12:40 PM

UNION RECOGNITION

The Board recognizes the Union as the exclusive bargaining representative of all those employed by the Board in the titles of School Psychologist, School Social Worker, School Psychologist-in-Training and School Social Worker-in-Training, including regular substitutes, full-term per diem substitutes and other-than-occasional per diem substitutes, but excluding occasional per diem substitutes and of all mental health workers; excluding supervisors.  Mental health workers in the unit are hereinafter referred to as “mental health workers” or “employees.”  School Psychologists, School Social Workers, School Psychologists-in-Training and School Social Workers-in-Training in the unit are hereinafter referred to as “psychologists and social workers” or “employees.”

During the term of this agreement should the Board employ a new title or category of employees having a community of interest with employees in an existing bargaining unit described herein, employees in such new title or category shall be included within the existing bargaining unit where they have a community of interest, and upon request of the Union the parties shall negotiate the terms and conditions of employment for such new title or category of employees; but nothing contained herein shall be construed to require re-negotiation of terms and conditions of employment applicable to employees in an existing bargaining unit as a result of the Board's redesignation of the title or category of employees in the unit.

It is understood that all collective bargaining is to be conducted at Board headquarters level. There shall be no negotiation with the Union at any other level.

Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent any Board official from meeting with any employee organization representing psychologists and social workers for the purpose of hearing the views and proposals of its members, except that, as to matters presented by such organizations which are proper subjects of collective bargaining, the Chapter shall be informed of the meeting and, as to those matters, any changes or modifications shall be made only through negotiation with the Chapter.

Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent any individual employee from informally discussing a complaint with his/her immediate superior.

Nothing contained herein shall be construed to deny to any employee his/her rights under Section 15 of the New York Civil Rights Law or under the State Education Law or under applicable civil service laws and regulations.