Thursday, March 25, 2004.

PICTURED: Florene Tolliver, Hempstead Teaching Assistants Association, tries her luck at the wheel.

School-Related Professionals received an up-to-the minute legal briefing at the Local Presidents' Conference held before the RA.

SRP local leaders participated in workshops designed by NYSUT just for them.

An Oct. 2, 2002, Public Employment Relations Board decision that expanded "Weingarten rights" to SRP members was explained by NYSUT attorney Ivor Moskowitz.

"Weingarten" was a transit authority case in NYC that established the right to union representation at any meeting that could lead to discipline. If districts violate an employee's Weingarten rights, unions can opt to file improper practice charges. Also, employers cannot use any information disclosed by an employee whose Weingarten rights have been violated.

In the legal issues workshop, SRP leaders also reported a growth of confidential employees in support positions. "What should we do when the district says the job is management/confidential?" asked Deb Paulin, member of the Alden TA and a NYSUT Board member.

"First, you go to your labor relations specialist," advised Moskowitz. "There are a variety of options to challenge a job classification. It might be that all you do is ask. It might be that when the job was created, it was expected to have a disciplinary nature."

A second workshop focused on strategies for advocating for professional development.