Dispatch - December 17, 2008

 

 

Epidemic of Dispatch Violations

On numerous occasions since the start of the school year, QTI   Professional Staffing has failed to follow the negotiated procedures for assigning substitute teachers.  QTI, the private firm MPS contracts with to handle dispatching, has violated the contract in several ways.  Here are a few examples:

• Although Southside subs were available, QTI has assigned subs on the Northside list to Southside schools - and vice versa.   

• High school substitute teachers have been assigned to four-year old kindergarten positions - despite the need for subs at high schools the same day.  In one case, a Southside high school substitute was dispatched to a kindergarten class at the German Immersion Elementary School on the Northwest side, on a day when Pulaski High School needed 12 subs.

• QTI has failed to assign substitutes certified in special education and other areas to positions within their certification.

MTEA Has Filed 14 Grievances This Fall
 

Our union has filed 14 grievances on behalf of substitute teachers impacted by QTI’s dispatching errors since the start of 2008-09.  Sandra Wilant of the MTEA staff met with MPS administrators on December 15 to present the facts in 11 of the cases.  (The other three grievances were filed more recently.)

Timely Action Required If Contract Violated

If you believe QTI has not followed the contractual priorities, please send the form below to the MTEA by U.S. Mail, fax at 259-7801, or to Sandi Wilant, to determine if a grievance should be filed.  

For a copy of the form, go here.

The contract requires the employee to initiate a grievance “promptly, but in no case longer than thirty (30) workdays after he/she knew or should have known of the incident.”  This means that if you filed a grievance today based on a violation in September or October, MPS can deny it as untimely.

Dispatching Procedures

The contractual priorities for assignments are reprinted below:

1. Substitute teachers are divided into four (4) zones for dispatching purposes.  They are north elementary, north secondary, south   elementary, and south secondary.

2. Within each zone, substitute teachers are designated as regular status or day-to-day status in accordance with the MBSD/MTEA substitute teachers contract.

3. Substitute teachers are assigned according to academic certification.  Within areas of academic certification, regular substitute teachers are assigned before day-to-day substitute teachers.

4. If no substitute teacher possesses the required academic certification for an assignment, substitute teachers will then be assigned as follows:

a. The employer shall determine the most appropriate certification for the assignment.

b. Regular substitute teachers possessing the most appropriate certification shall be assigned, followed by day-to-day substitute teachers possessing the most appropriate certification.

c. If no substitute teacher possesses the required certification or an appropriate certification, any regular substitute teacher followed by any day-to-day substitute teacher may be assigned.

5. Assignments may be made across zones consistent with the above priorities of assignment when the demand for personnel requires such exchange.

 

6. Every effort is made by the dispatcher to accomodate substitute teachers with special problems subject to the restriction contained herein.

 

Exceptions to the Above Priorities
 

The contract allows six exceptions to the above steps including:

• Contracted teachers who sub may be assigned before substitutes.

• Principals may request an individual regardless of priority.

• If retained in an assignment, the priorities may not apply.

 
Wanted: A Few Curious Members

Would you like to learn more about our union?  The power of collective action to improve teaching and learning?  How to advocate for public schools?

Do you believe in social justice and that being an educator goes beyond the classroom?

Are you thinking about getting involved in our union at some level, but don't know where to start?

Unique Opportunity for Emerging Voices

If you responded "yes," our Emerging Voices program may be for you.

Apply Online

If you're interested, apply here by January 9, 2009.

Are You Interested in Becoming an Urban UniServ Director?

The Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) is seeking applicants for its Urban Intern Program, a full-time internship for one year (approximately July 1 to June 30).  The selected candidate will work at the MTEA during the internship.

The intern program is an on-the-job learning experience.  Internships are paid, full-time positions with duties scheduled during the week and on weekends.

Interns are selected from applicants who are interested in becoming professional staff.  Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. 

For details on qualifications, salary, and benefits, go here.

Applications are due by Friday, January 9, 2009.

Your Paychecks: Planning Ahead
This year's winter break will affect the number of days paid in January.  The January 9 and 23 checks will cover up to 5 days each.  

Winter Break - MTEA Schedule

During the winter break, the MTEA Building will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on four days - December 22,23,29 and 30.  The office will be closed on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday both weeks.