Week of November 2, 2020
Message from the President
Nashua Teachers' Union 5th Annual Toys for Tots Collection
NTU COPE
Tomorrow is Election Day - don't forget to vote!!!
Upcoming Meetings: no meeting scheduled
NEF Spotlight
Congratulations to Caitlin Zibolis, Art teacher at Sunset Heights Elementary School.
Know Your Contract
Weingarten Rights
The right of employees to have union representation at investigatory interviews was announced by the U.S. Supreme Court in a 1975 case (NLRB vs. Weingarten, Inc. 420 U.S. 251, 88 LRRM 2689). These rights have become known as the Weingarten rights.
Employees have Weingarten rights only during investigatory interviews. An investigatory interview occurs when a supervisor questions an employee to obtain information which could be used as a basis for discipline or asks an employee to defend his or her conduct.
If an employee has a reasonable belief that discipline or other adverse consequences may result from what he or she says, the employee has the right to request union representation. Management is not required to inform the employee of his/her Weingarten rights; it is the employees responsibility to know and request.
When the employee makes the request for a union representative to be present management has three options:
It can stop questioning until the representative arrives.
It can call off the interview or,
It can tell the employee that it will call off the interview unless the employee voluntarily gives up his/her rights to a union representative (an option the employee should always refuse.)
Employers will often assert that the only role of a union representative in an investigatory interview is to observe the discussion. The Supreme Court, however, clearly acknowledges a representative's right to assist and counsel workers during the interview.
The Supreme Court has also ruled that during an investigatory interview management must inform the union representative of the subject of the interrogation. The representative must also be allowed to speak privately with the employee before the interview. During the questioning, the representative can interrupt to clarify a question or to object to confusing or intimidating tactics.
While the interview is in progress, the representative can not tell the employee what to say but he may advise them on how to answer a question. At the end of the interview the union representative can add information to support the employee's case.
Happening Now...
Free Computer Monitors Available for Staff
Last week, the United Way of Greater Nashua picked-up about 200 computer monitors donated by the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority. These are available to any staff member who would like an additional computer monitor. They are available at the United Way of Greater Nashua, 20 Broad Street, during School Supply Pantry hours - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays, 2:00pm - 4:00pm.
Scholarship Opportunity
Scholarship Opportunity! This opportunity through Union Plus is open now through January 31, 2021.
https://www.unionplus.org/benefits/education/union-plus-scholarships
On A Positive Note
All comments/posts have been shared somewhere in Nashua about a staff member or school.
Halloween Candy Showdown - The Winner
And the winner of the Halloween Candy Showdown is....
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!!!
Peanut Butter Cups received almost 66% of the vote. Thanks to everyone who participated.
Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dish Showdown
When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of turkey and all the delicious sides. After a quick Google search and according to Mr. Food, these are the top 8 side dishes. Let's figure out what the NTU thinks is the top Thanksgiving side dish.
How to Cook a Thanksgiving Turkey
When I was teaching 1st grade, I would ask my students how to cook a Thanksgiving turkey. Each student wrote their own recipe for cooking a turkey. I have never laughed so hard in my life reading their recipes. Here are 2 recipes from November 2010.
For the NTU calendar, click here
For the BOE calendar, click here
For the BOE agendas and minutes, click here
Upcoming Events
- November 3rd
- Election Day
- Remote Learning Day for all students and staff
- November 9th
- BOE Human Resources Committee Meeting, 5:30pm, via Zoom
- Board of Education Meeting, 6:00pm, via Zoom
- November 10th
- Executive Board Meeting, 4:00pm, via Zoom
- BOE Finance and Operations Committee Meeting, 6:00pm, via Zoom
- November 11th
- No School - Veteran's Day
- November 16th
- Para-Educator Contract Negotiations, 1:30pm, via Zoom
- November 17th
- Board of Directors Meeting, 4:15pm, via Zoom
- BOE Curriculum and Evaluation Committee Meeting, via Zoom
- November 18th
- BOE Policy Committee Meeting, 6:00pm, via Zoom
- November 23rd
- Remote Learning Day for all students and staff
- November 24th
- Remote Learning Day for all students and staff
- November 25th - November 27th
- No School; Happy Thanksgiving!!!
- November 30th
- BOE Human Resources Committee Meeting, 5:30pm, via Zoom
- Board of Education Meeting, 6:00pm, via Zoom