At the start of the 2015-16 school year, LAUSD issued an unfair attendance policy that targeted Special Education Paraprofessionals. Because the District never discussed this with our union, we formed a Special Ed Labor Management Committee to push back and forced a negotiation with the District on the matter. We reached an agreement in January 2016 on a policy that is fairer and completely eliminates some of the most punitive language in their original policy.
Here are some highlights:
Supervisors or administrators—not Special Ed Paraprofessionals—are responsible for giving us our work schedules.
If we have an emergency, we are not required to notify our administrator in advance. We simply need to follow the procedures set in our contract.
We are to sign in at the beginning of their shift and proceed immediately to our work area. We no longer have to be in two places at the same time.
If our assigned meal or rest periods need to be adjusted due to work duties—and we don’t have to do this in advance, we must notify an administrator or the person directing our work.
The District must follow the process in our contract to address any problems with excessive absenteeism. The District cannot set-up its own counseling or disciplinary procedures.
Employees with good attendance will be commended.
Read the full language of the revised policy.