February
Treasurer Report 2/22
SHEA VOICE
Winter 1.0 Edition
Winter 2022
Nov - Dec
Volume XV No. 2
David Etkin,
Editor
SHEA VOICE
Sweet Home Education Association
Local #3041
1901 Sweet Home Road
Amherst, NY 14228
President's Message:
Paul Szymendera
As president, I get asked this question all the time: "When do we start negotiations for our next contract?" By contract language, we are set to begin negotiations in January of the expiring year. So, as the new year rings in, so too will our negotiating team as we prepare to meet with the District in January of 2023.
This is an important opportunity for us to secure improved working conditions, fair wages, and enhanced health benefits for all our dedicated members. Our key priorities each contract are always surrounded by salary, time, and health benefits.
We recognize the importance of fair compensation and robust healthcare coverage for our members, and we will strive to achieve significant improvements with salary increases as well as step reductions.
Preserving Current Benefits
Additionally, we are committed to maintaining the current benefits that have been hard-won in previous negotiations. We will continue to defend time! Our calendar days, school day, and meetings schedule are the best in the area because we negotiated these terms.
Your Voice Matters: Membership Survey
To ensure that our negotiating team represents the collective voice of our membership effectively, we will be conducting a membership survey in the coming weeks. This survey will provide an opportunity for each member to express their priorities, concerns, and suggestions for the upcoming contract negotiations. We encourage you to actively participate and share your thoughts so that together, we can achieve the best possible outcome for everyone.
Stay Informed and Engaged
Throughout the negotiation process, we will keep you informed about the progress and any important developments. Regular updates will be provided through "SHEA Updates," and our website. We strongly encourage you to stay engaged, attend union meetings, and voice your opinions during this crucial period.
Together, we have the power to shape our future. Let us stand united and demonstrate our strength as we embark on this journey to secure better salaries, improved health benefits, and the preservation of our valuable current benefits.
Paul Szymendera
SHEF is at it again!
Mark your calendars: November 18th at 6:00pm.
Join our Sweet Home community at the High School main gym for the Faculty and Staff Basketball game! This may be the biggest fundraiser of the year - you can help! SHEA has donated two $25 gift cards to the big basket raffle.
SHEF's mission is to enhance the educational experiences of students in the Sweet Home Central School District by providing financial support and other resources for enrichment in academics, athletics, extra-curricular activities, and community outreach.
For more details about SHEF click on the link below.
Calling all Elementary, Middle and High School teachers...
If you see something noteworthy going on in your building... Shoot me a quick "Shout Out" and have it posted in an upcoming edition of SHEA Voice. Pics are always welcome! We all see great things going on daily, yet are often unrecognized for it. Make a colleague feel great by acknowledging something special that they do:)
Contact: pszymendera@sweethomeschools.org
Make a Difference!!
Question: What happens if our contract expires??
Answer: Unions have the protection of Triborough!
Good News - We have the protection of the "Triborough Amendment" and the Taylor Law in New York State. The Taylor Law, enacted in 1967, aimed to establish fair negotiation processes for public sector contracts. While it granted public employees the right to organize and collectively bargain, it also took away the right to strike. This provision ensured labor peace in the provision of public services. However, the Taylor Law had loopholes that allowed management to unilaterally impose changes once a contract expired, without regard for collective bargaining. Since public employees were not allowed to strike, and were subject to severe fines and penalties if they did so, they were left powerless. Management had all the cards and could, and would, negotiate in bad faith without any consequences.
The 1982 Triborough Amendment aimed to level the playing field between management and public employees. It required public employers to maintain the terms and conditions of an expired contract until a new one could be negotiated. This provision helped ensure stability and continuity in providing public services by significantly reducing strikes. Prior to the Triborough Amendment, there were dozens of strikes each year, but there have been no strikes in the past two calendar years.
Contrary to claims that maintaining an expired contract leads to escalating costs, the article argues that the impact is typically around 1 percent in school districts, making budgeting stable, transparent, and predictable. The Triborough Amendment creates a stable environment that facilitates good faith negotiations and expedites successor agreements.
The Triborough Amendment ensures constancy and stability in the delivery of public services, particularly in the education of children, by avoiding prolonged labor disputes. Public workers gave up the right to strike to serve the public good, with the expectation of bargaining on a level playing field. Keeping a contract in place until a new one is negotiated honors that promise to public servants.
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