REA Union Voices

Krista and Jeri continue to explain the evaluation process for certificated employees other than teachers. In addition to listening, you may want to read Article IV which starts on page 18 of the REA-RSD Contract.

Krista and Jeri do their best to help members not on TPEP understand the different evaluation formats. For two teachers on TPEP, they muddle through the best they can. 

Krista and Jeri round out Article III by letting members know about liability insurance that may be available if personal items get damaged. They also discuss what to do if you are threatened while carrying out your duties as a certificated educator. Here’s a hint. Let your administrator know immediately and make sure you are included in the plan to keep you safe. 

Krista and Jeri are joined by REA Lead Bargainer, Sara Flores-Anderson. Sara’s union origin story is fascinating and educational. Makes sense, considering we are all teachers. One correction, though, the Triangle Fire that is referred to happened in 1911. Here is a link if you want more information: https://aflcio.org/about/history/labor-history-events/triangle-shirtwaist-fire

Krista and Jeri talk about a four-letter word, GRIEVANCE! All right, we know that grievance has nine letters, but it is often a word that provokes fear in members and administrators. It doesn’t need to, though, it’s just a formal way to solve a contractual issue. Listen to find out what a grievance really is and the process we follow when filing one. 

Krista and Jeri continue their conversation about due process. Even though they try to eliminate member fears about this, they may cause more anxiety. Regardless of what they say, they were trying to convey that the practice is contractual and just because you are being investigated doesn’t mean you are guilty and it doesn’t mean you will be fired. Also, they discuss freedom! freedom! Academic fre...

Krista and Jeri wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving and share the importance of being able to bargain cool benefits like getting to leave early before a holiday!  

In this episode, Krista and Jeri share information about personal freedom, harassment, and due process. If you don’t know what Weingarten means you definitely need to listen. Even if you do know, you should give this episode a listen any way. Have Krista or Jeri ever been investigated? Well now you can find out. 

Krista and Jeri are joined by a special guest, Emily, the REA Office Manager. The three of them share with you information about dues deduction, use of facilities, pay warrants and more. It’s exciting stuff!

Krista and Jeri explain how to read and refer to the Contract. They also explain provisions in the first article. If you don’t want to get in trouble for direct dealing, you should give this a listen. 

Krista and Jeri realized that they said a whole lot of stuff in the first episode that people who are not highly involved in the Union might not understand. In this episode they explain how the Union is organized from the local to the National level. 

Get to know your hosts, Krista and Jeri, the President and Vice President, of the Richland Education Association, REA. They will share how they got involved with the Union and what they hope to accomplish with this podcast.