The PSRP Contract is still being negotiated between the BTU and the school board and it is almost finished. After all the articles are closed, it will be T/A’d (Tentatively Agreed) which means that the chief negotiators sign it (Dr. Lorretta Johnson for the BTU and James Whattam for the BCPSS school board). Then the Tentative Agreement will be shared with all PSRPs to read over and hold a vote to ratify it. There will be information sessions to learn more about the new changes and ask questions before voting. The last step will be ratifying the new contract using an online voting system due to COVID-19. The current PSRP contract dated 2017-2020 is still in effect and the end date will be extended until November 30, 2020. The vote for the new contract will be held before November 30, 2020. If the new contract is voted yes and ratified, the 1.8% pay raise will be retroactively added to your paycheck for this school year.
For PSRPs being directed to return to work by the school district, but do not feel safe returning to school buildings or working on-site, you have several options. You can:
- Apply to the district for an Accommodation Request if you are in a high-risk category and your doctor recommends you work from home or need another accommodation.
- Apply to the district for Public Health Emergency Leave for any of these reasons:
- Employee’s Own Health Condition Related to COVID-19
- Employee Caring for an Individual with a Health Condition Related to COVID-19
- Child Care Need Related to COVID-19
Please contact your BTU field representative for assistance in applying for an accommodation or any type of leave needed or with any questions.
For PSRPs being asked to “volunteer” to work in school buildings or on-site, you do not have to go in! The district and BTU has a tentative agreement that “Employees who do not volunteer to report to a school or worksite before all schools or worksites are opened by the Board for all students and have not been directed to report to a school or worksite shall not be disciplined not shall they suffer any ill effect on their annual evaluation as a result of their failure to volunteer to report to a school or worksite.” In other words, there is union protection for PSRPs (and teachers) who do not wish to volunteer to report to a school or worksite prior to the opening of schools for all students. Employees cannot be disciplined or suffer any ill effect on their annual evaluation for refusing to accept any voluntary work to be done on-site. Please contact your BTU field representative for assistance in any situations like these.
PSRPs, be on the lookout for a phone call from BTU with a survey about your working conditions so far during COVID-19. Your input is valuable!
If you have any PSRP questions or concerns, please contact your BTU field representative or PSRPs on External Assignment at BTU: Tishea Lester tlester@baltu.org and Chris Bilal cbilal@baltu.org for assistance.