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Know Your Contract

The Benefits of OGEA Membership

Know Your Contract

The Benefits of OGEA Membership

By Bob Prola, OGEA Vice President bobprola@gmail.com

 

OGEA Meetings (Article 6.2.1)

  • Are you aware that our contract protects Wednesdays as an OGEA meeting day?
  • District meetings should be scheduled on other days of the week unless they clear it with the OGEA president first.
  • This is a great day for your OGEA site representative to hold a 10 minute meeting so that you can learn more about your union.

Grievance (Article 7)

  • Are you aware that any OGEA member may enforce the contract by filing a grievance?
  • You do not need permission or clearance from an OGEA officer to file a grievance if your contract has been violated.
    • It is a good idea to contact your site representative and/or our grievance team for help and support.
  • All of the grievance procedures are outlined in article 7.  Make sure you follow the timelines outlined in the article.
  • All grievances should start with an informal grievance meeting, usually with your immediate supervisor.  Make sure you document that this meeting was held in an email.

Weingarten Rights (Not in the contract – labor law)

  • Are you aware that as an OGEA member, you have the right to a union representative if you are being reprimanded or disciplined?
  • You may need to assert this right with your supervisor.
    • “If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated, or affect my personal working conditions, I respectfully request that my union representative be present.”
  • You also have the right to ask what a meeting’s purpose is before attending a meeting with your supervisor.
  • When in doubt, ask for a union representative.
  • You can learn more about your rights from CTA’s resource on teacher rights.

Are you aware that, as an OGEA member, you are part of a democratic organization that helps determine the rules you are employed under in your collectively bargained agreement?  You get to give input into the bargaining process, vote for OGEA leadership to direct bargaining, and vote on whether or not to accept the bargaining agreements.

 

You can review the entire OGEA contract with all of your rights at ogea.org.