Units A, B & C: All three bargaining units and the School Committees agreed to a one percent wage increase for 2007-2008 with no language changes. We will continue to negotiate multi-year agreements for 2008-2011. The APEA and Management Negotiating Teams agreed to file for mediation in order to bring in a facilitator to assist us with this process. Our request has been submitted to the Massachusetts Board of Conciliation & Arbitration.

Grievances: Five disciplinary grievances have been consolidated and submitted for arbitration at Step 4 of the Grievance Procedure in the contract. We are awaiting assignment of an arbitrator and a date for the proceedings.

An evaluation grievance was filed on behalf of a High School faculty member regarding substantive and procedural errors in the evaluation process and documentation. This matter has been settled with the High School Principal.

Several scheduling matters are being addressed by Jim Elliott, Kathy Reckendorf and Tim Sheehan at the Middle School.

Grievances: A just cause grievance was filed on behalf of a clerical employee in July. The grievance dealt with an evaluation with procedural and substantive errors. This matter has been settled with the Human Resources Director.

The Unit B Chair has negotiated with the Human Resources Director over the creation of a new Unit B position in the Dean's Office at the High School. The position has been posted.

Elementary paraprofessionals have had their hours cut as a result of budget reductions. Their Wednesday schedules are now 8:15-1:45. Other staff should not expect them to be in school beyond those hours unless they are being paid on a time card. Also, any work on a time card beyond those hours is voluntary and may be refused by the paraprofessional.

All Unit A Staff are entitled to a preparation period every day during student instructional hours (during the time that students are present in the building).

Wednesday afternoons at the elementary schools may only be used for required meetings two times per person per year.

A staff member should never be criticized, questioned or intimidated for wanting to speak to a union representative!!! There have been some recent situations in which staff members have been put in uncomfortable positions by administrators for speaking to union representatives. This behavior not only erodes the positive relationship that the administration and the APEA have strived to develop, but it is also illegal and should be reported to the APEA President immediately.