09/05/2023
DPS Certified Employees (Teachers, Counselors, Social workers),
An issue came up at a school, concerning our lunch times and our duty hours (the amount we are required to be at school). I'm sure you've seen the results of this issue in the email from Mrs. Teri Trejo.
To provide clarification, here is what occurred:
A principal announced to her school a few weeks ago that because certified staff was being given 40 minutes for lunch, that they would have to stay at school an extra 10 minutes at the end of the day. The staff notified me that this violates the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). And they are correct. In Article 16, C.1 our CBA states, "The workday shall consist of seven and one half (7.5) hours, including a duty-free lunch of not less than thirty (30) minutes."
NEA-Deming filed a grievance on behalf of the employees at that school, asking that employees not work past their 7.5 hour day on a regular basis.
The district responded with this:
District Response: All teachers will be provided with a 30-minute duty-free lunch. If student lunch exceeds the 30 minutes, teachers will be assigned duty time including but not limited to cafeteria, hall and/or recess duty until their students are scheduled to return to the classrooms.
All employees will be notified on 9/5/2023 and the schedule will revert back to the 30-minute lunch beginning on 9/11/2023. A schedule of additional duties to cover the blocks where employees do not have students will also be distributed on 9/11/2023. Employees inquiring about the change will be directed to the Union Leadership for explanation.
The CBA is a living document that can be changed if employees want it changed and the district agrees to the change.
Would YOU want a longer lunch, but have to stay later? Please vote!
