Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/81027
At least read the table of contents "Lots of people never open the contract until they have an issue. It's true of both sides — administrators and teachers," says Jon Van Drimmelen, Tracy Educa- tion Association. TEA members receive a hard copy of the contract, but most access it online via the association's website. Even though members have the contract handy, some go to their peers when they have a prob- lem — and many times their colleagues aren't familiar with the bargaining agree- ment, either. "They get misinformation this way and sometimes get into trouble," says Van Drimmelen, who is the chapter's grievance chair and a high school chemistry teacher. "Go through your contract. Look at the amount of time you can take for sick leave or pregnancy, or even dictate when you may be eligible for a pay raise. Your contract stipulates how you are evaluated and who does your evaluation. Contracts also determine "bumping rights" and seniority in case there are layoffs. As a union member, you are entitled under the Weingarten Act to have a union rep with you if you are being reprimanded by an administrator and fear it could jeopardize your job. Educators tend to be overly trusting the parts that pertain to your grade level, teaching or coaching situation," he urges. "Some parts may not apply, but at least look through the table of contents." Contracts, for example, may put a cap on the number of students in your class or at times, and they need to be educated so they won't be taken advantage of. Reading the contract is not only informative but empowering, since you are no longer guess- ing what is allowed or not allowed under your bargaining agreement. "Once you are educated, you can be active at your site and participate in your own union, instead of sitting back and let- ting someone else do the work for you, thinking it will all work out," says Kho. "You'll be glad you did. " "Don't be taken advantage of," says Carminda Kho. September 2012 www.cta.org 35