Sub Bargaining Update
As all of you know, the 2012 – 2016 Substitute Teachers’ Agreement expired on June 30, 2016. We reported to all Substitutes that we entered into an MOU with the District that extended the terms of the CBA until December 30, 2016. Unfortunately, we were unable to get a successor agreement in place before the expiration on December 30. During the period after a contract has expired and before a new contract is finalized, state law requires districts to generally maintain the status quo on contract provisions.
Your PAT Bargaining team for the new PAT PPS Substitute Teacher agreement has been meeting with the District to secure a new contract. In spite of snow days and team members on both sides with the flu, the two teams have met for three-hour minimum bargaining sessions on 11/22/2016, 11/29/2016, 1/102017, 2/14/2017, 3/13 and 3/24/2017. The negotiations are going well, but we have no final agreement to bring to you for ratification. What we can do is give you a snapshot of the two sides’ positions and indicate where progress is being made.
As we reported at the Sub Committee meetings following the two member surveys we conducted, the PAT Substitute Bargaining Team package consisted of proposals to improve:
- Work day and work hour conditions (stopping administrators changing assignments, controlling what happens if a Substitute must cover for a second teacher in one assignment)
- Payment for required trainings
- A request for an experience pay rate and a seventy-day pay rate
- A demand for clear assignment listings
- Changes in the discipline procedures including improvements in the complaint procedure, the building restriction process, and the employee discipline language
- Improvements in insurance
- Improved Sick Leave language
The PPS Bargaining Team proposed:
- The removal of the Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Changes to the complaint procedure and the employee discipline language
- Increasing the number of assignments for the Master list, the eventual removal of the Restricted list, and the removal of the right to be unavailable for work during a lawful PAT teacher strike
- Change in sick leave language
- Allowing for some paid trainings
- Changes to insurance (still being clarified)
- Reducing the ten-day rate of pay
- Creating an Incentive-Pay program
- Allowing PPS substitutes to use the Jobulator app when accepting assignments with the AESOP system
As you can see, the two proposals are not wildly different. In fact, at the last bargaining session, the two sides have made significant progress on all aspects of discipline, sick leave, and the issue of using the Jobulator app, conditions for both Master List and Restrict List postings, and creating financial incentives for Substitutes accepting jobs in high-need buildings. In addition, PPS has officially removed its proposal to end the FSA accounts for Substitutes.
The two teams agreed to bargain on April 13th and April 25th. We will update everyone after each of those bargains take place. We are hopeful that we can bring a finalized package before the year ends.
Still Having Trouble with the New AESOP “Upgrade”
Are your employees having trouble accessing Aesop after the upgrade? Here are some tips from Aesop:
1) Manually type in your log-in credentials without having them pre-populated by your web browser. If your login ID is a 10-digit phone number, do not include any dashes or spaces.
2) Clear your web browser's cache, close your browser, and try again. Visit this article for more information on clearing your cache: (click here).
3) Avoid using a bookmarked or saved link. Open your web browser and type www.aesoponline.com directly into the address bar.
4) Ensure that you are using an up-to-date web browser.
5) If you are using a handheld device (ex: mobile phone or tablet), make sure that the web browser has cookies enabled.
6) Double check that the local computer time on your clock is configured correctly (including the time zone).
7) Avoid using Safari. Chrome is recommended.
8) If a user is encountering an LDAP error, this means the user is using the wrong web address to login. All users should manually type in www.aesoponline.com into the address bar.
9) Check out this article for more troubleshooting help: (click here).
Don’t Forget About Cyber Security
As a PPS employee, your username and password provide access to multiple information systems (appropriate for your position) that contain confidential and sensitive information. Some examples are:
● Microsoft O365 Email - Some emails are confidential or sensitive.
● Oracle PeopleSoft and Employee Self Service - Where your personal and payroll information is stored and updated.
●· EduPoint Synergy - Where student and family information is stored and updated.
When accessing information systems, the following best practices must be followed:
1. Your password should never be shared with anyone, nor should it be written down where someone could find it (i.e. those sticky notes on your computer monitor, under a keyboard or in a desk drawer, or written on a lesson plan, etc.).
2. Do not provide your username and password to a substitute or other individual filling in for you (classroom, office, administration, etc.). This is not an acceptable practice and is in direct violation of the District’s Acceptable Use Policy 8.60.041-AD.
3. If you will be out of the office/classroom and another person will be filling in for you, they need to use their own login account. If additional access is required to complete the assignment, the IT Service Desk can assist.
4. All PPS employees (including substitute teachers, secretaries, administrators, etc.) receive a PPS account.
5. You are responsible for the safe keeping of your password and any use of your account to access information systems.
Get Involved in PAT Activities
As members of the PAT, you can attend the PAT Substitute Committee meetings that occur every second Monday of the month. The committee discusses issues of interest to substitutes and provides an avenue to share concerns about working conditions, and suggestions for substitute activities. Our next meeting is scheduled for April 10th. If you are interested in attending, simply email Lisa Wilkerson at [email protected] to let her know you will attend.
In addition, the PAT has six other standing committees that meet each month. The committees are:
COMMUNITY & HUMAN RELATIONS
INSTRUCTIONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LEGISLATIVE
PAT PAC
MEMBERSHIP & SPECIAL SERVICES
NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS
If you are interested in any of these topics or would like more information, please contact us at the PAT office and we will be happy to answer any of your questions.