Hello wonderful HPS educators!
The Holyoke Teachers Association had our fourth bargaining session this past Tuesday, April 1st, at Holyoke High School North. Thank you for the continued support from silent bargaining representatives!
During session #3, HPS’s management team requested a “rationale” for HTA’s proposals, stating that they were “75% [decided] on Health and Safety” in particular. In response, we gave them our rationale! Sam Ruggiero, core bargaining team member from Kelly, introduced 
five brave HTA educators who presented their Health & Safety stories.
Why do we need a health and safety committee to oversee strengths and weaknesses within our school systems? Why do we need a comprehensive leave package that includes injury recovery-time after situations of student de-escalation? As we silently listened to the stories told by our colleagues, those questions were answered loud and clear:
“I’m not here for shock value, and I’m not here blaming students. We are here all together presenting you with real solutions to ensure our schools are healthy and safe, ready to be true partners.
I don’t have much sick time due to the “accrual process” we have. This is not because I’ve abused my time, this is because I needed to be out for surgery. Due to the accrual process I did not have enough time to cover being out for 6 weeks, nor did I want to be away from the kids for that long. So I delayed my surgery to June. So please don’t tell me that educators are abusing their time or that we need to be here for consistency for the children. We know this, but we also are human and get sick just like everyone else.
I was out for 3.5 weeks because I was hurt by a dysregulated student. There was no support from the district to help facilitate that students return or repair our relationship. So when Receiver Anthony Soto says that HPS takes health and safety seriously that is in stark contrast to my experience,” said Nicole, Lawrence Elementary SAC.
Upon returning from caucus, the HPS Management STILL had ZERO responses to any of our Health and Safety proposals. In fact, they only had two questions: “did you calculate the number of student learning hours for the elementary work year proposal yet?” and “What’s the cost of your [leave] proposal?” In their actions, HPS Management continues to signal that our contract and work conditions under receivership are good enough to stay the same. We continue to affirm that an investment in the well-being of Holyoke educators is an investment in the well-being of students.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM SESSION #4:
- Our Proposals:
- No new proposals this session
- Management’s Proposals & Responses:
- Requested responses to their Ground Rules documentÂ
- Committed to providing responses to our Health and Safety Proposal at the next session
- Results:
- Spoke our truth and forced the HPS Management to face the reality of Holyoke educators, and the dire need of a comprehensive Health & Safety proposal.
- Next Bargaining Dates – Location TBD
- Thursday May 15th + Rally for a Fair Contract!
- Thursday June 5th at 4:30 PM
- Thursday June 12th at 4:30 PM
ADDITIONAL UPDATES
- Thursday, May 15th Rally for a Fair Contract! Families, students, community allies, and staff –join us at our Rally for a Fair Contract! We are looking for volunteers to bring snacks and refreshments, provide carpool, or donations if possible. Can you contribute/do you know someone who can? Add their name to this tracker.
- Can you support your union siblings with translation or interpretation? We are offering $350 stipends for up to three interpreters/translators to advance language equity in our union and community. APPLY AT THIS LINK!
- We are seeking a new Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Coordinator on the Executive Board. E-Board responsibilities require significant time commitment, but are essential to a functioning union! Inquire with Alex (alvitsohta@gmail.com) or Nick Cream (nickcreamhta@gmail.com) if you are interested in running for any of these Board positions.
- MTA Annual Meeting of Delegates – HTA has been allotted nine (9) delegates to join us at our statewide union’s Annual Meeting of Delegates to vote on statewide initiatives, priorities, and financial proposals– a range of decisions that impact every Massachusetts Teacher Association local. You MUST attend one of the pre-convention training sessions before attending as a delegate. You will receive union release time/coverage for your participation during the school day. More information about programming here: https://massteacher.org/events-and-conferences/annual-meeting-of-delegate. Please email holyoketeachersassociation@gmail.com if you are interested in self-nominating for a Delegate position. We will run an election if more than 9 members self-nominate.
We appreciate everything you do to ensure the best possible work and learning conditions in HPS.
IN SOLIDARITY,
Nick Cream, HTA President, nickcreamhta@gmail.com
Alex Cespedes, HTA Vice President, alvitsohta@gmail.com
Holyoke Teachers Association
476 Appleton St., #6
Holyoke, MA 01040
413-534-7342
