HEMET TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

Dear Union Members,

Welcome Back to the 2023-24 School Year! I sincerely hope that you all were able to relax and enjoy the summer break, taking time to recharge and reconnect with loved ones.

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New Office

I am pleased to announce that our Union office is open at our new location–which we own outright! You can find us at 1600 E Florida Ave, Ste 308, in the HCN Bank (formerly Bank of Hemet) building. Feel free to swing on by to check it out and say, Hi!

 

New Language

I also want to remind everyone of the new language added to our contract that was agreed to & ratified over the summer. Not only did we get a 12.03% raise (effective July 1, 2023), but language affecting class sizes, special education, and class coverage was added. Need a refresher on what it says? Head on over to the documents page of our website.

 

Comp Payout

On a related note, many of you received a payout check for your 2022-23 comp hours in July. These checks were calculated at the old rate of $61.16 an hour. We had negotiated for those hours to be paid out at the new “Extra Duty” rate of $75. This has been brought to payroll’s attention, and the remainder of any monies due will be on the 2M paychecks (August). If you do not see this payment on your August paycheck, yet you received the initial comp hour(s) payment, please notify the HTA office.

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Keenan Training

Please remember that the first 2 Wednesday collaboration times of the school year–Staff Meeting & Teacher Collaboration–have been set aside for finishing Keenan training. If you or your site is urged to spend this time in another way (yes, even partially), please alert your site rep & the HTA office.

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Covid: It’s Still Here

We have spent the last 3 years hearing about “unprecedented times,” so often in fact that the once extraordinary now seems, well, ordinary. This is just a reminder that COVID is still “a thing;” it is not going away. In the last week, we have received over 2 dozen notifications of positive cases, affecting at least 14 different sites. Remember, if you test positive for COVID, you need to notify the HUSD Covid team. You should also fill out a Worker’s Comp form if you contract COVID and have proof of one other positive contact from work. As the effects of long-term covid are still unknown, it’s best to have Workman’s Comp on file. Also, it’s always a good idea to have a Personal Physician Predesignation Form on file with the District. If filed before the workplace injury occurs, it will allow you to be seen by your personal physician for injuries suffered at work (including COVID). A new form must be filed each school year.

 

On a Personal Note…

As your new HTA President, I am both humbled and honored to be entrusted with the responsibility of representing you, our members. I hope to meet you all throughout the year as I make site visits. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your site reps, the office, or our executive board with any questions or concerns you may have.

 

In Solidarity,

Rebekah Young

President, Hemet Teachers Association