Colleagues,
As the September 19 payroll date approaches, we want to provide you a status report on where things stand with payroll and what to expect. Here are some key aspects of this festering Oracle debacle:
– General Payroll. Approximately 99% of RTA members should have received their scheduled general salary on September 5. We expect this to continue on next Friday’s payroll and to also include payments for work done prior to September. Our disposition remains that we’ll believe it if/when it actually happens. As you were already notified by Superintendent Rosser, the District will again provide an opportunity to preview your scheduled pay a couple days prior to September 19 – just as they’ve done for the September 5 payroll. And we’re working with the District to ensure that the approximately 30 teachers, who have not received their general salary yet, are paid as soon as possible.
– Summer Issues. They assured us that the more than 50 RTA members adversely affected by payroll issues before September will have their issues resolved by the September 19 payroll. We’re skeptical about that because the District has demonstrated very slow progress on these. Our formal negotiations to make whole all those adversely affected (still unpaid, paid late, or paid incorrectly) will begin this Wednesday. We will engage in these negotiations with Superintendent Rosser in conjunction with the other unions within the RCSD (BENTE, RAP and ASAR). Our goal is to get the District to fairly reimburse affected members for interest on delayed pay and, any resultant fees, and costs caused by delayed or inaccurate pay.
– Health Care and Dental Deductions. Although there have been no changes to our medical and dental coverage or deductions, more than 150 RTA members experienced incorrect pre-tax deductions for their health care and dental insurance – some as much as two or three times the amount that should have been deducted. We are addressing with the District the instances that have been brought to our attention. Please see the chart attached below and notify RTA’s John Pavone <pavrta@aol.com>, Aimee Rinere <arinere@rochesterteachers.com> or Martha Keating <maskerade6@aol.com> if your deduction is incorrect. You can also call them (585 546 2681) if you have questions or need assistance.
– Calculating Absence Days. The new Oracle platform reflects available sick days and personal days differently than it was under PeopleSoft. What used to be lumped together under PeopleSoft (illness plus personal) is now reflected separately under Oracle. To calculate your available days correctly, you’ll need to add your available personal illness days to your unused personal days. Please contact RTA’s Margaret Sergent <mmsergent@rochesterteachers.com>, Matt Lavonas <mlavonas@rochesterteachers.com> or Jason Valenti <jvalenti@rochesterteachers.com> if you need further clarification.
– Other Payroll Irregularities. In addition to the above, a host of other payroll-related issues are being addressed or should be resolved in the next payroll. These include, but are not limited to, summer school teaching; the Absentee Reduction Plan; Excellus Health Care Plan coverage for last year’s retirees; Spread-the-Check or Deferred Savings Plan; Professional Development Incentive (PDI); Summer Professional Development days; Board of Education Resolutions work; Librarians’, Counselors’ et al., contractual days; contributions to 403b Plans; compensation for Per Diem Substitute Teachers.
– Percentage of Salary Increase. As you were notified during the summer, the one-year extension of our current contract guaranteed a 4% salary increase in addition to the $2500 Teacher Retention Incentive. The 4% increase is inclusive of scheduled automatic salary increments. Those who worked during the past summer, however, already received the increment and therefore their regular payroll beginning on September 5 reflected the additional difference between the increment already received and the 4% increase negotiated. Although this caused confusion to some who worked during the summer, every member of the RTA Bargaining Unit received the same negotiated 4% increase. If you have questions or need clarification, please contact us at RTA.
We are keenly aware how frustrating it is for our members, and all other RCSD employees, that the Oracle problems persist. That is why we support the call for an independent investigation by the NYS Comptroller. And that is also why we are prepared to take additional legal and collective action that may be warranted. Meanwhile, in a united front with our sister unions (BENTE, RAP, ASAR), we are doing all we can to resolve all remaining issues and we will continue to keep you informed about the progress of our efforts on your behalf.
Adam Urbanski, RTA President