ESSA Advocate
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The ESSAdvocate
2118 S. Cushman Street, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Phone: 456-4435 Fax: 456-2159 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.essa-fairbanks.org
Newsletter for FNSBSD Education Support Professionals March 2009
From the President…
All working people deserve the dignity and respect inherent in earning a living wage. A person working at one job full time should not be forced to work a second or third job or to rely on other sources of income or even government assistance simply to feed, clothe, and house their family.
When we add in transportation, health care, child care, taxes, and a whole host of other expenses, we can begin to feel that there is , “more month than money”.
ESSA, along with other labor organizations, is laying the groundwork to begin a Living Wage Campaign in the Fairbanks area. The first Living Wage Campaign was begun in Ithica, New York by Educational Support Professionals working for the Ithica School District. This campaign was a resounding success, resulting in a marked increase in wages. The same effort has also been successful for several ESP organizations in Washington State.
Typically, a Living Wage Campaign is three to five years in duration and results in significant wage increases for working people.
You will be hearing more about this important topic this fall.
Don’t Forget May is Sick Leave Bank Month
ESSA’s annual Sick Leave Bank membership drive is during the month of May. This is the only time other than during the first 30 days of employment to join the Sick Leave Bank. If you are not currently a member of the Sick Leave Bank and wish to join, look for a Sick Leave Bank application form that you will be receiving soon at your work location. Simply fill out this form and send it to the ESSA office by intra-district mail before the end of May. Once you are a member of the Sick Leave Bank, you will continue to be a member until you let payroll know, in writing, that you wish to resign from the Sick Leave Bank.
ESSA’s Sick Leave Bank is a great benefit for our members. Our Sick Leave Bank Committee is chaired by Flora Roddy and members include Susan Coltellaro, Marie Fletcher, and Trish Patterson. These members have devoted countless hours of their own time to make sure that each and every sick leave request is processed in a timely manner. They are doing a tremendous job!
By the end of March, the Sick Leave Bank Committee had granted 51 Sick Leave Bank members a total of 2,967.24 hours since the beginning of the school year.
In addition to handling sick leave requests, the committee conducts an annual audit of the Sick Leave Bank by comparing the list from payroll with ESSA’s list and grants, checking for and reconciling discrepancies between the two lists.
The New Website is up and Running!
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Jared D. and Dave P., our new website looks great! It is user friendly and informative.
All you need to do to create an account is click the link at the beginning of the website:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
and send Jared an email. He will direct you from there.
The website will continue to be updated regularly. Only our members will have access to the forums, or will be able to submit articles. This is a great opportunity to voice your opinion on any and every topic concerning ESSA in a members-only setting, from the comfort of your own home! Suggestions for improvement are welcome and encouraged! Please email questions or concerns to the above email or to
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.
Thank you all and have a great summer!
From the ESSA Communications Committee
Donations needed for one of our own…
Rufina Cheek, an ESSA member who works as a custodian at Weller Elementary, has just lost her husband. An account has been established at Denali State Bank to help with his final expenses. This account will be open from April 24, 2009 through July 24, 2009. The account is 029025228. Contributions to this account would be greatly appreciated, not to mention needed. Let’s all come together to help a fellow ESSA member in need!
Thanks, Fred
ESSA Contract Ratification Policy
1. Ratification Vote
a. All ESSA members and only ESSA members are entitled to vote on contract ratification. Identification will be checked to verify membership.
b. Ratification votes will be conducted by secret ballot.
c. Voting will occur at the site of the ratification meeting and will begin at the conclusion of discussion and debate.
d. A majority of members voting at a ratification meeting is required for ratification.
e. Ballots will be counted by a committee appointed by the ESSA President for this purpose. This committee may not include any members of the ESSA bargaining team.
f. Any ESSA member may observe the ballot counting.
2. Ratification Meeting
a. The ratification meeting will be held on a Saturday beginning at 9:00 a.m. ESSA will attempt to hold all ratification meetings for the Association Contract during the school term. Attendance will be limited to members and Association staff.
b. At least one hour will be reserved for information and clarification of the tentative agreement under consideration.
c. The information portion of the meeting will be followed by discussion and debate. The opinions of all members will be encouraged and heard.
d. Voting will begin at the conclusion of discussion. Ballots will be available for voting starting no later than 11:00 a.m.
[Passed by membership 4/17/99, amended 02 (NBI02-05)]
DO YOU KNOW YOUR RIGHTS?
UNHAPPY WITH YOUR EVALUATION?
Article 6.6 Post Evaluation Conference, pg. 9:
Guarantees you the right to mutually schedule a conference with your evaluator within 5 work days of your evaluation to discuss any questions you may have.
• The employee being evaluated has 5 work days within which to respond, in writing, to the evaluation, if they choose.
1. Write or type your rebuttal/response. The last page of your Classified Employee Evaluation Handbook has a response template you make a copy for your use.
2. MAKE 3 COPIES and have them date-stamped @ HR
3. COPY ONE (1) - Give to your evaluator.
4. COPY TWO (2) - Give to HR with directions to place in your personnel file attached to your current evaluation.
5. COPY THREE (3) - Keep in your personal home file.
Have questions or concerns? Call your ESSA Office for HELP.
456-4435 X225
