Newton, Mass. Teachers to Protest on 9/11 – Higher Wages for Themselves, May Defile Newton’s 9/11 Memorial Ceremony?

NOTES BETWEEN PRINTED EDITIONS

NEWTON, MASS. – Mike Ziles, president of the Newton Mass. Teacher’s Association issues an essential work-to-rule missive with his first e-mail “bulletin” of the school year. In it, Mikey tells teachers: “don’t volunteer to do things that aren’t a part of your regular job,” “don’t be available for meetings, consults, emails, etc. outside of your contract hours.”

The teacher’s union president also urged members to “solidarity”  – urging members to attend a 9/11 School Committee Meeting, gathering at 6:45 at the “Ed Center!” to silently yet visibly protest “FOR BETTER SCHOOLS.”  The union president seeks more money, etc., for teachers.

In his long, detailed notes of things NOT to do, he includes:

“Be silent at any meeting lead by an administrator. Silent Meeting Guidelines and FAQs

• Participate in the meeting in ways that do not require you to speak: take notes, complete tasks on your computer if requested to do so.
• If the meeting sends you off to work in small groups away from the administrator, then speak with your colleagues in these groups.

NTA Silent Meeting Guidelines & FAQ

Meeting participants – Goal: Passive participation

• What to do:
  • Attend the meeting
  • Sit silently and respectfully
  • If you are required to bring your computer to the meeting, do so.
  • Respond if addressed or questioned directly:
    • “I prefer not to answer that question right now.”
    • “I’m not sure what I think about that.”
    • “I will think about that.”
    • “I don’t have an opinion right now.”
  • If you are asked to use your computer, use it and participate that way. If not, participate by taking notes on everything that is presented. Careful, thorough notes. Do not do other work. These meetings won’t be painless, but hopefully they will be short.
• What not to do:
  • Do not do other work during the meeting (e.g., grade papers, check emails, do lesson planning).
  • Do not defy a directive. If a supervisor tells you to do something, tell them you would prefer not to and ask if they are giving you a directive.

• What exactly is a directive?
  • A directive is something you have to do. You may have to ask for a clear directive if you are unsure if what you’re being asked IS a directive.
  • For example, if your principal says: “I need you to offer up professional judgment on this matter”, respond first with any of the passive prompts above, such as: “I don’t have an opinion on that right now”.
  • If they repeat themselves, respond by asking: “Are you giving me a directive?”
  • They must respond to this question. It can be uncomfortable, but it is necessary.
  • A directive is something you need to do at that moment. After the meeting, report it to your building rep to file a grievance, as remaining silent is protected “concerted action”.

Meeting presenters – Goal: Support the silent meeting action

• Ways to support prior to meetings:
  • Express to the administration your support of the silent meeting action.
  • Express to staff members your support of the silent meeting action.
  • Express to the administration the difficulty in moving initiatives forward while there is no contract in place.
• Prepare for your meeting in ways that allow you to do your job of presenting while respecting and supporting the silence of your colleagues:
  • Present necessary information in a lecture format.
  • Do not ask for participation from your colleagues by asking direct questions or directing them to take actions during the meeting time.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why are we being silent at meetings?

• We need to send a message to the mayor, the school committee, and the NPS administration that there will not be business as usual for so long as we don’t have a fair contract.
• We must break the pattern of protracted contract negotiations. Starting the year without a contract despite almost a year of negotiations is not acceptable.
• We will win a fair contract if we all work together.

When are we being silent at meetings?

Beginning on August 30th, all staff meetings led by a principal or administrator will be silent.

So, what meetings do I actively participate in? When should I be silent?

If an administrator is setting the agenda of the meeting, the meeting is silent and your participation is passive. If you are unsure what meetings to be silent for, check below.

What if my principal asks me to present at the staff meeting?

• If it is part of your job to present at a staff meeting, then you need to do the presentation.  This mostly applies to NTA Unit B members and may on rare occasions apply to Unit A members (e.g. math coach, literacy coach).
• Voluntary participation in a committee does not translate into an obligation to present at a meeting. 
• If you are unsure, contact your building rep.

What do I do during the meeting?

• If you are required to bring your computer to the meeting, do so.
• If you are asked to participate individually, do not respond unless given a directive to do so. (Not likely.)
• When the meeting shifts to a presentational mode, if you are asked to use your computer, use it and participate that way. If not, participate by taking notes on everything that is presented. Careful, thorough notes. Do not do other work. These meetings won’t be painless, but hopefully they will be short.

What if the meeting breaks into smaller work groups during the whole staff meeting?

• Be silent in your smaller groups.

If you have other questions, please reach out to your building rep or a CAT member. You can also reach out to the CAT co-chairs Mike Schlegelmilch (mikeschlegelmilch@gmail.com) and Kelly Henderson (kellyrachelhenderson@gmail.com), NTA President Mike Zilles (ntapresident@newteach.org), or NTA Treasurer Christine Walsh (treasurer@newteach.org),  or call the NTA Office 617-244-9562.