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  • Writer's pictureMike Zilles

NTA EBulletin: September 29, 2024

Dear Colleagues,


In last week's EBulletin, I asked members to sign up to participate in one of the many Labor Management Committees that are called for by our new contract. While we received a good number of responses, we still need more volunteers. 


This week, I am asking again. And I want to say a little more about why this is important. 


We have a second year superintendent along with three new members of the central staff, a school committee that is largely ignorant about what happens in our classrooms, and a mayor whose primary concern is keeping costs down.


Who really knows what our district needs? You do!


We can't wait every three of four years for a contract crisis before we raise our voices. In fact, if we don't want the next contract campaign to begin, and end, in crisis, then we need you to be actively engaged in your union now. 


In fact, a theme of this week's EBulletin is the importance of our willingness to continue standing up, organizing, and making our voices heard. 


Perhaps the most important thing that I learned during our strike was the amazing ability of NTA members to rise to any occasion and bring their remarkable talents to bear on whatever needed to be done. It was a powerful experience.


We cannot fall back into the complacency of thinking that "union work" is only what Chris and I do in the office, or what building representatives do, or the "union leadership" does. It is that, and it is what all of us do; we are all leaders.



Kindergarten Aides Update


Yes, we won our arbitration to restore kindergarten aides, AND the SC is appealing the arbitrator's decision.


We are currently in the stage called "briefing" where the two sides file with the court their written memoranda in support of their respective positions.  Once briefing concludes (about mid-October), then a hearing will be scheduled.  After a hearing, then the judge will make a decision. If we win at that point (which in all likelihood we will), they do have an option to take it further up the appeals chain.


We met with K teachers this week to strategize putting pressure on the School Committee to honor our contract and the arbitrators decision by restoring kindergarten aides NOW.  


Save the date of Monday, October 21, 2024 for an NTA Action in support of Restoring Kindergarten Aides at that evening’s School Committee Meeting.



Joint Labor Management Committees

Volunteers Needed! (Revised)


Here, again, is the list of committees for whom we need volunteers.

We agreed in our last contract on a number of joint labor management committees (JMLCs), which will meet and make recommendations which will then go forward to the NTA Negotiations Team and the School Committee for adoption. 


This week, in particular, I want to call your attention to one committee where we we received few volunteers, yet this committee plays an outsized role in what we do as educators--the Joint Instructional Council.


This standing committee oversees the direction of professional development and curriculum planning for the entire district. I think you are aware that Dr. Nolin sees curriculum and professional develpment as an area where she believes the district has much work to do. Please consider joining this committee if you would like to be engaged in thinking with your colleagues about how the district reviews, develops, and implements curriculum. 


These Joint Labor Management Committees include:

  • An Elementary School Day JMLC, to make recommendations on improving the school school, including increasing elementary preparation time. (We began this work last spring, and the committee is now filled, with the exception of a kindergarten teacher).

  • A Mental Health JMLC to address the mental health supports for students.

  • A reconvened High School Joint Oversight Committee to address high school class sizes

  • A Teacher Evaluation Working Group to look at our evaluation protocols.

  • A Unit C Coverage JMLC to address the need for qualified substitute support when Unit C members are absent. 

  • A reconvened Joint Instructional Council (Standing Committee) to overseer professional development and curriculum.


To volunteer for one of these committees, please click on this link


To read the language from our contract that spells out the charge, structure and responsibilities of each committee, click here.



Protecting Our Contract


Last year we came together in solidarity to fight for a fair contract.  Our historic strike was just the culmination of that work — we showed our solidarity for more than a year leading up to the strike by coming out for marches and rallies, signing petitions, participating in work to rule, saying “no” to voluntary activities, and so much more. And as a result of our solidarity and strength, we not only achieved a significant contract victory, but we also preserved important rights in our contract against attempts by the district to limit or eliminate them.  


We proved our strength.  We need to continue to use our strength to protect the contract we fought so hard for.  We protect our contract by using the grievance process to hold the district accountable for adhering to the terms of the contract.


If you are wondering if something is permitted by the contract, or if you have concerns regarding your pay, benefits, or working conditions, seek out your building representative for support.  


A grievance is broadly defined as “a dispute, claim, or controversy by an employee or employees concerning rates of pay, hours or working conditions, or the interpretation or application of the terms of [the contract].”


Your building representatives can help you determine whether your concern rises to the level of a grievance as it is broadly defined. They can also support you in bringing the grievance to the attention of the appropriate person.  Our building reps can also seek support from members of our Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committee.  


The most important thing you can do in making sure your contractual rights are protected is to ask someone if you think they aren't, and be willing to do something if they are not.


When you say--"Oh, I don't want to cause trouble; it's not a big deal," or when you say, "I'm afraid I will be perceived as a trouble-maker if I go to the union and file a grievance"--then we are all at risk of losing the very contractual rights we fought so hard to win.



Know your Contract!


The City of Newton is exempt from Workers Compensations Laws, but the NTA has made sure our members are protected by negotiating for and winning contractual rights around workplace injuries.


In order to protect your rights, If you are injured at work, first of all: be sure to complete an incident report to record the fact and circumstances of your injury.  Additionally, email HR and request that they provide you with a letter for your doctor/insurance company that states that you are not covered by Workers Compensation for this workplace injury.


There are two primary benefits related to workplace injuries that are provided by our contracts:

  • No "out-of-pocket" medical expenses. You will be reimbursed for “co-pays for office visits, emergency room visits, and prescription drugs, as well as physical and occupational therapy appointments that are not covered by insurance incurred due to physical injury/accident to the employee arising out of and in the course of employment.”  You need to keep receipts and careful records of these expenses for submission.  

  • No use of personal sick days while absent from a work related injury. You do not have to use your own sick time for days missed from work due to a workplace injury:  “Individuals who are absent as a result of an on the job accident or personal injury suffered during the workday shall not lose pay because of such absence. The parties agree that sick leave bank days may be utilized for such purposes.” 


If you have any questions, please reach out to your building representative for support.



Changes to Newton's Dental and Life Insurance


On January 1, the City of Newton will change carriers through which it offers the dental and life insurance to employees. Currently these plans are offered through Guardian. However, when the city put its insurance plans out to bid, Blue Cross Blue Shield proposed better pricing, improved service and expanded benefits over Guardian for dental insurance. Similarly, Hartford Insurance outbid Guardian for life insurance coverage.

The Newton Insurance Advisory Committee (IAC), comprising municipal and school union leaders, recommended that the City enter into contracts with Blue Cross Blue Shield to offer employees dental insurance, and end its relationship with Guardian dental. We also recommended that the city not renew its contract to provide life insurance through Guardian, and instead enter into a contract with Hartford Insurance Corporation. 


Having just reviewed the proposals and agreed to new contracts, the city is in very early stages of making the change. Please be patient, as details about the transition will be forthcoming. 


A couple key points on why we made the decision to change below, and what the new carriers will offer that is different.


Life Insurance


Per our contract, the City of Newton currently is required to pay half the cost of premiums for a $5,000 term life insurance policy, which is now offered through Guardian. Employees must sign up for this policy when they are hired. Employees are also given the option, when hired, to purchase additional insurance through through group policy offered by the city, which must be paid for fully at their own expense.


Beginning on January 1, Hartford Insurance will be the new carrier for the City of Newton, and carry any policies employees currently have through Guardian. In June, the City of Newton and Hartford will offer an open enrollment period. Anyone who would like to sign up for life insurance or change the amount they currently purchase through the city will be able to do so then.


Dental Insurance


When Blue Cross Blue Shield becomes the carrier for our dental insurance, plan design will largely remain the same. The city will continue to pay 50% of the cost of premiums for the basic plan, with employees paying the other half. Employees who choose the high option plan will continue to pay the full additional cost of premiums for this plan.


While plan design will remain largely the same, there will be two important changes. For both the low and high option plans, employees will be able to keep dependent children on their family plan until they turn 26.  Employees who choose the high option family plan will now also have orthodontia coverage for their children, up to a maximum lifetime benefit of $1,500 per child. 


The cost of premiums for the basic plan will go down slightly (-2.2%); the cost of premiums for the high option will go up slightly (5%); premiums will be locked in at the new rates for 30 months. 


The Blue Cross Blue Shield network is, overall, much more extensive than Guardian’s, which also helps to control dental costs. 


Overall, by putting the plan out to bid, the city has secured more favorable terms for our members, as well as all Newton active employees.



NEA Advocacy


Those of you who entered education late and paid into social security in a prior career are probably aware that you will have your social security pension benefits reduced because you left the private sector when you apply for your social security pension. But did you know that legislation is now on the House of Representative floor that could change this? 


Read about this here.


Write your representatives here


Please, write your representatives even if you know they support this bill!  The more emails our supporters get, the more fiercely they can advocate on our behalf!


Sign up to be on the NEA action list here. Take just a couple of minutes a week to stay abreast of the NEA's advocacy, and support their work!


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In solidarity, 

Mike Zilles, President

Newton Teachers Association

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