As we approach the end of the year, I would like to remind you that negotiations are just around the corner. This year, our focus will be on negotiating salaries for the years 2023-24 and 2024-25, as well as addressing full-contract items for the 2024-25 school year.

To ensure we can negotiate effectively, your Bargaining Chair, Tammy Scorcia, will go through all of ATA's 2024-25 potential proposals for bargaining at our next meeting. All ATA BOD and Reps have received the detailed list and will review, discuss, and determine priorities at the December 5th BOD/Rep Council meeting. We need your input and feedback to help us decide which proposals are most important to you and why.

It's important to remember that your Rep Council is the driving force behind ATA negotiations. We rely on your guidance to help us make informed decisions that will benefit all members of our organization. Please take the time to participate in the process at whatever level you can. This is your chance to be heard and make your voice count.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me or any Bargaining Team member.

Ralph Hernandez

alhambrateacherspresident@gmail.com

As a member of a CTA bargaining unit, you are assured of fair representation by your local association, ATA. ATA’s representation of its members comes in many forms, including bargaining your salary, benefits, and working conditions, representing your interests at the bargaining table, enforcing your rights under the parties’ collective bargaining agreement through grievances and discussions with administration, and organizing around your issues when bargaining and grievances are insufficient.

In addition to representation from ATA you are also represented by CTA. If your employment rights under state and federal laws are violated, CTA may provide its dues-paying CTA members an attorney through the CTA Group Legal Services Program (GLSP) under certain circumstances. GLSP law firm attorneys are private practice attorneys who provide legal services to CTA dues-paying members.

Issues which may be covered are:

Work-Related Matters: Such as dismissals, demotions, promotions, retaliations/union activities, retirement, CTC proceedings and problems with certifications, Ed Code violations, probationary non-reelections, reduction-in-force proceedings, salary, temporary teacher dismissal, tenure, unemployment insurance, and working conditions.

Work-Related Criminal Cases: Such as allegations of assault, child abuse, criminal neglect, DUI, failure to report child abuse, illegal substance sale or use, misuse of school funds, sexual misconduct, and theft.

The amount covered and the hours provided to you by your legal counsel is dependent on many factors, including type and strength of case and assessments by CTA Legal and the GLS attorney assigned to your case. CTA pays your legal counsel up to a certain amount but can, under certain circumstances, pay more than the initial costs.

To access this service:

• You must have been, and must continue being, a dues-paying member at three points in time:
• At the time of the underlying incident occurred;
• At the time the need for legal services arose (usually when the request for legal services was made or should have been made); and
• Throughout the time that GLS services are provided (you have to continue paying dues the entire time you use and/or need .

In this sense, access to legal services is like car insurance, you cannot buy car insurance after an accident occurs and expect to be covered. Any lapse in membership will make you lose the right to GLS services.

• You must contact me, ATA's Executive Director (CTA Staff), Liz Pinkava. I will discuss the issue with you, assess the case, and if appropriate, assign legal counsel, and provide you with documents to send to CTA Legal for approval and to the GLS attorney.

If you have Non-Work-Related Matters such as wills and family matters, CTA offers half an hour of legal services and subsequent services at a reduced rate for our dues-paying members. If you need these services, you can contact the ATA office and get the number of the law office that provides this service. You will have to provide the attorney with your CTA Membership #.

For Workers' Compensation Claims, please reach out to me. I will refer you to a CTA recommended workers' compensation attorney who specializes in public school workers' compensation issues. However, workers’ compensation attorneys are paid by you (although, if there is a dispute between you and AUSD as to your workplace injury and/or leave rights, we may also provide you to a GLS attorney).

If you haven't already done so, please remember to list your physician of choice for workers' compensation purposes with Risk Management. Risk Management has the forms you need to fill out.

As always, please reach out to me if you have any questions.

Liz Pinkava

Executive Director

EPinkava@cta.org

Site-collaboratives are actively working towards building relationships and fostering consensus modeling to ensure that every voice is heard.

Here are some updates:

- The six community school leads are scheduled to meet on December 19th at the district to meet community partners, implement data collection systems, and build relationships.
- The planning stages for the Community Food Pantry at Moorfield are currently underway.
- A.U.S.D. Community Schools website will be launched in January, offering a valuable resource for all educational partners to connect with us.
- Asana, a digital workspace, has been established for Site-Leads to track progress and prepare for state benchmarks.

As stated on page 59 of the contract, the Alhambra Unified School District and the Alhambra Teachers Association firmly believe that every individual has the right to a safe and healthy school environment. The Alhambra school community promotes mutual respect, tolerance, and acceptance. Any behavior that infringes on school safety will not be tolerated. To ensure positive interactions with all members of the Alhambra school community, the District will provide yearly support and training.

In case you have any concerns regarding this provision, please contact your administrator/designee and ATA for assistance.

This year's Mix and Mingle event is canceled. Additional opportunities to connect with your colleagues will take place in early 2024.

No one likes to think of the need for life insurance, but it’s important to provide for your loved ones in case the unthinkable happens to you. That’s why this complimentary coverage for educators is so important to you and your family. It helps provide insurance protection to your family to help cover large financial obligations such as mortgages and college costs, as well as final expenses.

You’ll receive four levels of coverage

• $1,000 of life insurance

• Up to $5,000 of Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage; $1,000 per year benefit up to maximum

• $50,000 AD&D benefit for any covered accident that occurs on the job or while serving as an Association Leader†

• $150,000 Life Insurance benefit for unlawful homicide while on the job

Register today

1. Make sure you’re logged into your NEA Member Benefits account. Register for or update your Complimentary Life Insurance by clicking on the “Name Your Beneficiary” button.
2. Once you register, you will receive hard copies of all official information for your records. Claims can be processed by calling the Member Advocacy Center at 855-NEA-LIFE.

To access the registration link, click here.

- Grievance (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

December 5

- Joint BOD and Rep Council meeting (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

December 9

- ATA Mix & Mingle (4-6 pm, ATA Office) - CANCELED

December 12

- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)

December 21

Secondary School Pupil Free Day (9th-12th & LIFT)

December 22-January 5, 2024

- Winter Break

January 8

- Grievance (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

January 9

- ATA Board of Directors (4:00 pm, ATA office)

January 15

- MLK - Holiday

January 16

- ATA Rep Council (4:00 pm, ATA office)

- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)

January 22

- Pupil Free Day for PD

The Alhambra Teachers Association (ATA) exists to protect and promote the well-being of its members; to improve the conditions of teaching and learning; to advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education; to ensure that the human dignity and civil rights of all children and youth are protected; and to secure a more just equitable and democratic society.

Email: ataoffice3030@gmail.com
Website: www.alhambrateachers.org
Location: 3030 West Main Street, Alhambra, CA, USA
Phone: (626)289-1933
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlhambraTeachersAssociation/