Colleagues,
What a year this has been! As tough as it was, you proved to be even tougher. And only two weeks to go before the start of the summer recess. Here are key items of unfinished business that we are addressing right now and will continue to work on during the break and maybe beyond:
– Implementing the Payroll MOA. Now that the Payroll Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between RTA and the RCSD has been negotiated we begin the process for implementing its provisions. Attached below is document addressing the most frequently asked questions (FAQs). Affected teachers can stop in at the RTA for a special “drop-in” session on Monday, June 29th from 10am ’till 2pm for individualized assistance. The District will send out additional information and details on Monday, June 15. The Oracle Payroll MOA Claim Form by 12pm should go live that day on the District’s ROConnect portal and through the IM&T HelpDesk. Meanwhile, there are new Oracle-related issues and payroll errors surfacing and old issues that still remain unresolved. We are doing all that we can to press the District to resolve them without further delay.
– Beginning Negotiations. Thank you to all teachers who already responded to RTA’s Negotiations and Climate Survey. If you did not receive it, or have not yet returned it, please email RTA’s Matt Lavonas <mlavonas@rochesterteachers.com> and he will provide it to you. Now that the Payroll MOA has been finally agreed to, we have scheduled a number of contract negotiations sessions for later this month and next. Our hope is to negotiate all summer and achieve a multi-year successor contract before schools reopen for next school year. This may prove to be a challenge because the District is showing a pattern of indecisive leadership, misrepresentation of their budget, and disregard for the needs of our students and their teachers. Nonetheless, I remain optimistic because of our solidarity and our determination to continue our drive for a more genuine profession for ourselves and more effective schools for all our students.
– Fighting the RCSD Budget Cuts. The District adopted a new budget that includes some unnecessary cuts that target our most vulnerable students. Approximately 20 RTA Teacher Unit members, including Social Workers, School Counselors and Home/Hospital Teachers have received layoff notices. The RTA Vacancy Hotline is now open and you can reach it by calling (585) 546-2768. You can also check the RTA website <https://rochesterteachers.org/rta-vacancy-hotline/> for available positions and directions for claiming them. Additionally, we have scheduled a “drop-in” session at the RTA (30 N. Union Street, Suite 301) for those affected for Tuesday, June 23, from 2:30 to 4:30pm. We remain determined to press the District to restore these positions and to rescind the layoffs. The District can certainly afford it because they have the largest surplus of money in their history – a reserve of more than $312,000,000 of which approximately 85% is unrestricted. With the help of the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), we are conducting a thorough analysis of the District’s budget and will be publishing the findings when concluded.
We will, of course, keep you informed about the progress of our efforts on your behalf. And, as always, please contact us if you have any questions or need assistance. But before you begin your summer break, please join us for hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and camaraderie at RTA’s End of the School Year Social on Thursday, June 18, from 3:30 ’til 6:30pm (see flyer attached below). The event will be held at The Carlson (58 Carlson Road). Ample free parking just across the street.
Have a good rest of this weekend and we look forward to seeing you this Thursday at The Carlson.
Adam Urbanski, RTA President