New Rochelle School District and F.U.S.E. Union Reach Tentative One-Year Agreement

Written By: Robert Cox

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The City School District of New Rochelle and FUSE union announced today they have reached a tentative agreement for a one-year contract which will increase salaries by 1.35%.

FUSE is the New Rochelle Federation of United School Employees, the union representing teachers, other pedagogic staff and school-related professionals.

The most contentious demand coming from school board members involved in the negotiations — requiring that lesson plans be made available “upon request” to administrators— was entirely withdrawn.

“In the face of the union’s consistent refusal to add any language to the contract requiring that lesson plans be made available “upon request” to principals/supervisors, the District entirely withdrew its proposal, thus creating creating the opportunity for an agreement to be reached.

Middle School Extra Help,” said FUSE President Martin Daly in a letter to FUSE Members.

The District issued its own statement.

“The District and FUSE are excited to have reached a settlement that benefits all and demonstrates the deep appreciation the District holds for its teachers, other pedagogic staff and school-related professionals. All are looking forward to a productive 2019-2020 school year.”

The agreement includes several provisions:

An 1.35% “across the board raise” to all salary tables, the FUSE Welfare Fund contribution will increase by 1.35% as will stipends.

A previous agreement to allow the principal to schedule teachers for study hall or hall duty will continue for the 2019-2020 school year. The provision will “sunset” on June 30, 2020 unless the parties agree to continue it past that date.

12 month employees who do not have snow removal responsibilities shall no longer have “snow days” charged against their sick leave.

Immediate family covered under Bereavement Leave will be expanded to include step parents, step-siblings and spouses of step-relatives.

To address the Instructional Hours shortfall, Middle school teachers will be required to provide an afternoon “extra help session” extending to 3:48 p.m. one day a week. Middle School principals will solicit volunteers to cover classes for absent colleagues by establishing a list of teacher-volunteers who will be compensated at the contractual “hourly rate” for teachers. (approximately $47). Volunteers will be asked to identify the period in which they would be available for coverages. In the event there are not enough volunteers on a given day, the principal may assign teachers during the teacher’s “non-teaching duty period” to provide coverage for an absent teacher. The teacher shall be compensated at the contractual “hourly rate.”

Additionally, involuntary coverages for teachers shall be capped at 2 per teacher per semester. Finally, this provision shall “sunset” on June 30, 2020 unless the parties agree to continue it past that date.

FUSE Members will be presented with more detailed information upon return in September, and a ratification vote will be held sometime in the second week of school. If approved by the members these raises will be effective on July 1, 2019 for 12 month employees and September 1, 2019 for all ten month employees. The proposed contract will be discussed at the FUSE meeting on Opening Day and a ratification vote will be held the following week.