January 27, 2022
January 26, 2022
OCCTA PowerPoint Presentation - Attorneys Mark Richard & Lucia Piva at THIS LINK
Testimony of OCCTA President Wendy L. Doromal at THIS LINK
“We are here today because OCPS schools have unsafe and unhealthy teaching and learning conditions. We are here today because District leaders do not want a health and safety agreement that is enforceable and teachers do not want to remain unprotected in the midst of a raging pandemic without an enforceable agreement. An enforceable Health and Safety MOU, like the two that the District previously signed, would provide educators with a sense of security, and peace of mind as they continue to sacrifice and navigate through the intense challenges of teaching during a pandemic. An enforceable MOU would spell out the specific measures that must be followed to prevent even more illness and in-school spread. An enforceable MOU is not just a moral obligation, it is a legal right.
We do not trust this District to provide needed protections without an enforceable MOU. Over 89% of teachers surveyed this month stated they do not feel supported by District leaders and the Board in providing a safe and healthy workplace during the pandemic. This same District that refuses to sign an enforceable agreement with OCCTA signed an enforceable MOU with OESPA in July 2021.” - OCCTA President Wendy L. Doromal
Testimony of OCCTA Board & Bargaining Team Member Clinton McCracken at THIS LINK
“An overwhelming number of comments from educators prove that the District is not enforcing its own procedures outlined in the District’s COVID-19 Procedures Manual, cannot be trusted to enforce them, and cannot be trusted not to change the manual when it becomes inconvenient.
. . . Hundreds of teachers are telling you their rooms aren’t being sanitized. . .This is why we are demanding an enforceable MOU. The current situation shows us that without it words are just words. And they are empty promises.” - Clinton W. McCracken
Testimony of OCPS Teacher & Parent John Martinez at THIS LINK
“Last year, before we had a health and safety MOU, I was one of the first teachers to get COVID in the classroom and was a long hauler. The District sent me a letter stating that I could not discuss reasons related to my Medical Relief of Duty status. If I were to follow this direction, I would be denying my coworkers who I was in direct contact with the right to know that they had been exposed, and were potentially exposing others. The District’s original position was to not reveal any positive cases to teachers or parents; it was only after under a court order that the District finally started sharing this information that is so important for the health decisions of families. This is the same District that is now asking us to trust it to make all the decisions alone.”
- John Martinez
Testimony of OCPS Parent Jen Cousin OCPS is at THIS LINK
“The district seems to have given up on contact tracing and transparency. When 14 students in my 6th grader’s immediate classes recently tested positive, I never even received a contact tracing communication. To make matters worse, the OCPS COVID tracking dashboard is terribly inaccurate and unhelpful. I know of several cases in my kid’s schools that were never reflected on the dashboard, nor did I receive a call about them from the school. I don’t know any parents who trust the dashboard data.” – Jen Cousins
January 21, 2022
JANUARY 2022 HEALTH AND SAFETY SURVEY
In an effort to determine what teachers are experiencing as far as healthy and safe working conditions in their schools and worksites, OCCTA put out a new Health and Safety Survey in January 2022. While the results from this January 2022 survey often mirror the results from the previous survey given in October 2021, this survey clearly shows teachers are having a much more difficult time teaching through a pandemic this school year than last school year.
Thank you to everyone for taking the time to take our survey so we can evaluate what steps we need to take to ensure that there are safe and healthy working and learning conditions in every school. We heard from educators representing over 200 separate schools and worksites in every learning community and corner of our District!
We know that having an enforceable Health and Safety MOU as we did last school year and also for summer school is something that will provide you with security, reduce your stress and make your job safer and easier. OCCTA is fighting for an enforceable MOU!
While the responses to the survey questions were very revealing, the pages of survey comments gave a vivid snapshot of what is happening in the schools across the District.
Below are some of the survey results:
Overall, how would you rate this school year?
Only 13% felt it was “fine” while the vast majority 54% are struggling a lot or overwhelmed and others 33% are struggling a little.
Have you considered leaving your job due to health and safety concerns?
A staggering 52% of teachers surveyed are considering other employment, early retirement or a leave of absence.
Do you feel supported by the District leaders and the School Board in providing a safe and healthy workplace during the pandemic?
A total of 87% of teachers do NOT feel supported by District leaders and the School Board, up 17% from the October 2021 survey.
How safe do you feel at your school or worksite?
A total of 53% are anxious and so not feel safe, while 38% feel moderately safe and 9% feel safe.
How important is it for you to have an Health and Safety MOU that CTA can enforce as contract language?
An overwhelming majority – 89% believe it is important to have an enforceable MOU, 8% say it is somewhat important and only 3% say it is not important.
Is the District transparent in the reporting of Covid-19 cases at your school or worksite?
A total of 49% of teachers do NOT believe that the District is transparent in the reporting of COVID-19 cases at your school or worksite.
Have you been contacted by an administrator when an employee or student has tested positive at your school or worksite?
Only 36% of those surveyed believe they are always contacted when there are positive cases; 42% say they are contacted sometimes and 23% say they are NOT contacted.
Have you been informed of positive cases at your school that were not reported by your administrator? Check all that apply.
A total of 74% of those surveyed have been informed of positive COVID-19 cases at their school or worksite that were not reported to them by their administration – 28% from a coworker, 22% from parents, 23% by students and 1% by the media.
Have you been exposed to COVID-19 at your school or worksite this school year? (As confirmed officially by the FL DOH)
A total of 38% of those surveyed were exposed to COVID-19 at their school this year, which is up 10% from the earlier survey conducted in October 2021.
Have you been quarantined this school year?
A total of 16% of those surveyed have been quarantined once this school year (up 9% from the October 2021 survey) and 2% have been quarantined multiple times.
Have you been given directions on how to obtain more PPE?
A total of 48% of teacher, almost half, have not been given direction on how to obtain more PPE, up 7% since the last survey conducted in October 2021.
How often is your classroom or office cleaned?
Only 31% say their workspace is cleaned every day during this pandemic, with 20% saying a few times a week, 9% saying weekly and 40% saying they don’t know.
Have areas where positive cases been identified been deep cleaned or misted?
Only 9% say they areas are always deep cleaned or misted; 9% say they are sometimes deep cleaned and misted, 28% say they are not and 54% do not know.
Please read the comments for the survey questions below:
Have you been informed of positive cases at your school that were not reported by your administrator? Read the pages of the comments AT THIS LINK
WHAT PPE HAVE YOU BEEN PROVIDED? Read the pages of comments at THIS LINK
I have been needing masks. I have brought pack after pack and when I run out, I ask for more yet I am told that there are no more.
NONE PROVIDED THIS YEAR. Masks were requested, but request was denied stating that "We want students to bring their own".
I teach very young children and the few masks initially provided by district for children are way too big for my students. I rely on donations and purchasing disposable masks myself for the children.
The wipes that we all received have mold on them.
The cloth masks the county keeps providing are terrible, I have 3 bags of them that I don't know what to do with (they are too large for students) and the hand sanitizer they provided smells terrible, and I still have multiple bottles unopened stored in my classroom from last year.
Was given in beginning of year and was gone by September. Had to purchase disposable masks for my students.
The reusable masks are ill fitting and fall off the students' faces. The hand sanitizer is watery and makes a mess. It smells disgusting too so the students are hesitant to use it. There is no soap in some of the restrooms.
5 reusable masks and an 8oz hand sanitizer. This was gone the first 2 days of school. Have not received anything since August.
HAVE YOU SPENT YOUR PERSONAL MONEY ON PPE? Read the pages of comments at THIS LINK
COMMENTS ON CLEANING Read the pages of comments at THIS LINK
WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU FEEL SAFER? Read the pages of comments at THIS LINK
IF YOUR WORKLOAD HAS INCREASED, PLEASE DETAIL EXTRA DUTIES, INCLUDING THOSE RELATED TO THE PANDEMIC. Read the pages of comments at THIS LINK
DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT SOCIAL DISTANCING? Read the pages of comments at THIS LINK
READ SOME ADDITIONAL TEACHER AND PARENT CONCERNS AT THIS LINK.
Read about Dashboard Transparency and the Never Ending Battle for COVID-19 Information At THIS LINK
Please scroll down to the page bottom to read numerous articles concerning the Union's advocacy for healthy and safe teaching and learning conditions, the lack of adequate health and safety protocols, the failure to adhere to policies at OCPS schools and worksites, and other related articles.
HEALTH AND SAFETY IMPASSE RECOMMENDATIONS ISSUED
Special Magistrate Nicholas Taldone's decision concerning the health and safety during the pandemic is summarized below. Please read his decision at this link. (Download File (Amended Discussion and Recommended Decision 11 24 21.pdf)
Health and Safety Impasse
From Magistrate’s Discussions and Recommended Decision :
Some of the recommendations include:
January 11, 2022 and Update January 19, 2022
HEALTH AND SAFETY CRISIS AT DISTRICT SCHOOLS DISCLOSED AT JANUARY ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL MEETING
At the Association Representative Council Meeting last evening Association Representative after Association Representative spoke up about severe health and safety concerns, including custodian staff shortages resulting in no cleaning or partial cleaning of classrooms and other areas, no soap in restrooms, no PPE at the schools, and other concerns at schools across the District.
Specific Concerns:
"Students forgetting masks. . .Contractually, there is no longer the COVID-19 Healthy and Safety MOU to provide this." (11-21 FAC minutes)
"Mask distribution issues - principal reported that they were almost out and likely wouldn’t need more since he was thinking the mask policy would change at the end of the month."(10-21 FAC minutes)
"COVID-19 safety: minimal cleaning; staffing shortage
Mask distribution issues -Send students to front office hub for masks, May not be an issue after 10/30; rotating custodians; problems worse on third floor; rotate where they start"
If you have a concern please email us at orangecta@gmail.com
One AR and teacher outraged by the District's failure to provide safe and healthy working and learning conditions spoke up on behalf of the other ARs and teachers on Channel 6 News .
The District's Communication Director, Scott Howat attacked the Union when interviewed suggesting we were not credible or truthful. He failed to acknowledge a problem or offer a solution. Instead he did just what too many District leaders do - he deflected, misrepresented and attacked the messenger. And this is why teachers do not trust the District to actually put protective measures in place. This is why we are fighting for an enforceable MOU. Below is the transcript of the interview:
Teachers Union Accuses Orange School District of Disregarding COVID-19 Safety Protocols
Matt Austin: Some Orange County teachers at their wit's end they say five months into the school year there's still no plan to keep them safe from COVID-19. They said they're even having to buy their own personal protective equipment. Glad you are with us tonight, I am Matt Austin.
Ginger Gadsden: I'm Ginger Gadsden, now a special meeting to discuss safety has been canceled. And as News 6 Nadeen Yanes, reports teachers are still waiting for answers and supplies.
Nadeen Yanes: We are seeing some of the highest COVID-19 cases in classrooms here in Orange County this semester. This while the teachers union and the district are at an impasse over COVID-19 Safety and Health protocols and a chance to resolve the issue was postponed this week.
John Martinez: Teachers have to beg, and our administrators have to beg for masks and wipes and sanitizer.
Nadeen Yanes: Third grade teacher John Martinez said he and his fellow teachers at a title one school in Orange County are forced to buy more masks and supplies on their own during yet another COVID-19 spike in classrooms.
John Martinez: So OCPS just likes to play the game of like oh we are providing masks. They gave us this and pretend that’s enough.
Nadeen Yanes: These grievances, Martinez said he's expressing not only individually but on behalf of teachers as part of the Union, now at an impasse over COVID health and safety protocols inside classrooms.
John Martinez: OCPS every day sends the message out to parents and says the infected areas has being disinfected and clean and everybody knows that works for OCPS, that it's not happening. One. Two, spend some money that you got from the federal government for masks, and sanitizer and cleaning supplies.
Nadeen Yanes: But OCPs school district spokesperson Scott Howatt says the district is doing all those things.
Scott Howatt: All of the safety protocols, the pandemic precautions are all there and we're continuing to do those things.
Nadeen Yanes: If that's the complete opposite from what we're hearing from teachers actually in the classroom. How do we solve that for our viewers?
Scott Howatt: So are you hearing that from the union or are you hearing that from actual teachers?
Nadeen Yanes: He is a teacher who's a part of the Union, he is saying that they get 12 masks a week and then they run out of those masks immediately. They are cloth masks so they don't fit the third graders well enough.
Scott Howatt: So we have plenty of masks in our warehouse so the school just needs to put in a request to the principal to have more masks sent over.
Nadeen Yanes: So again at yesterday's school board meeting they decided to postpone this special hearing by the school board with no future date as to when this will be resolved. In Orange County.
The masks should be in the schools and worksites -not in the warehouse. Hundreds of teachers do NOT have PPE, including masks!
OCCTA also wants to acknowledge that over that last few months several high school teachers (not this teacher) who have spoken to the media have been hauled into their principal's office and quizzed and intimidated. District leaders need to learn to work collaboratively with the union and stakeholders to SOLVE problems instead of constantly covering them up. Educators will not allow their employer to deny their freedom of speech.
UPDATE - Thank you for all of your emails. We hope all of you with COVID-19 have a very speedy recovery.
OCCTA has purchased some children masks, adult sized masks, disinfectant wipes and sanitizers. Let us know your needs. President Doromal and Maribel Rigsby are delivering supplies to those who are at schools and worksites with no PPE.
January 20, 2022
School Board Decides Impasse Meeting Parameters
Today the School Board decided the parameters of the impasse hearing. They agreed to change the starting time to 4:00pm, which will allow people to get off from work and watch the hearing. The hearing will take place at 4:00pm on January 26 at the RBELC. It will be broadcast live on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/OCCTA7448 .
The others limits the board members agreed to were disappointing. Instead of allowing 90 minutes for each side to argue their case, they agreed to only 45 minutes. They reasoned that the salary impasse had four issues and this impasse has less., so they should denote less time. We are concerned that the school board does not view the discussion of health and safety during a raging pandemic - a life or death issue - as important enough to allow enough time to listen to the voices of the Union that represents all 14,200 members of the bargaining unit. We do not believe that a thorough and fair hearing can be conducted within these limits.
When the board made the decision to postpone the health and safety impasse hearing scheduled for January 18th to a later meeting date, they stated some members could not be in attendance on that date and "it was too important an issue not to have every member present." We agree, and it is too important an issue not to allow a full and thorough discussion to allow teachers to be heard.
January 14, 2022
IMPASSE DATE SET
Finally, after four days of emails and phone calls, our attorneys were informed that the District will hold the Health and Safety Impasse Hearing on January 26, 2022 at 3:30pm. We asked that the hearing be held at 4:00pm so teachers could view it live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/OCCTA7448). Additionally, we asked that each party have 90 minutes to present their case. The District attorney states each party will only have 45 minutes. OCCTA attorneys are challenging these unjust and restrictive guidelines.
Please scroll down to the page bottom to read numerous articles concerning the Union's advocacy for healthy and safe teaching and learning conditions, the lack of adequate health and safety protocols, the failure to adhere to policies at OCPS schools and worksites, and other related articles.
January 12, 2022
Message from the President:
Dear Members of the Bargaining Unit:
We want to correct some misinformation in the District’s latest News You Can Use email. The District’s half-truths are always regrettable, and are particularly troubling when it comes to matters of health and safety.
The District says that health and safety are a priority, but its actions reveal the truth. OCCTA has heard from teachers all across the District that their classrooms are not being cleaned; there is an inadequate supply of masks, soap, sanitizer and other PPE for students and teachers; teachers and parents are not being made aware of positive cases and exposures; sick educators are being asked to teach; and there are no uniform procedures throughout OCPS. Teachers report that they have been told by their principals they no longer have to adhere to safety guidelines because there is no MOU this year! These are the crucial issues that are at stake in the disputed agreement—an MOU that the District wants to be able to change at any time to evade accountability.
Health and Safety are not an OCPS priority. Otherwise, the District would not have postponed the upcoming impasse on these very issues that had been already scheduled for January 18, 2022. OCCTA never agreed to delay this matter. District leaders do not seem to understand the sense of urgency as this pandemic rages, and just how unsafe teachers, parents and students feel in the schools and worksites.
Health and Safety are not an OCPS priority. OCPS has been delaying health and safety decisions since the beginning of the school year, and is forcing teachers to again resolve through impasse the same issues that were already decided by a Magistrate last year. It is disheartening that teachers must fight for clear and enforceable health and safety rights.
Teachers deserve to know what their rights are. They deserve to be able to enforce those rights. Teachers and students deserve to feel and be safe in school.
Please go to this link for more information and to read both Special Magistrates’ reports.
Stay safe and healthy,
Wendy L. Doromal
President
January 11, 2022
SCHOOL BOARD POSTPONES HEALTH & SAFETY IMPASSE HEARING
The District postponed the Health and Safety Impasse Hearing. They stated that some school board members could not attend and they felt "it was too important an issue not to have everyone in attendance." We will update you when we have a new date.
PLEASE GO TO THE LINKS BELOW TO READ RELATED ARTICLES
Go to THIS LINK to read Special Magistrate Holland's Impasse Ruling from last year.
Health & Safety Crisis Revealed at January AR Council Meeting at THIS LINK
Dashboard Transparency and the Never Ending Battle for COVID-19 InformationTHIS LINK
Washington Post Chronicles OCPS Teachers Resigning Because of Unsafe Working Conditions THIS LINK
OCPS Responds to Corcoran Concerning Mask Policy THIS LINK
Health and Safety Committee Minutes at THIS LINK
Superintendent and School Board Reverse Mask Policy THIS LINK
School Board Meetings Unsafe - District's Own Policies Not Followed THIS LINK
School Board Rule Development Meeting a Circus THIS LINK
OCPS Medical Advisory Committee Advice Ignored by School Board THIS LINK
District COVID-19 Procedures Shared With School Board Members THIS LINK
District Unilaterally Guts the OCPS COVID-19 Health and Safety Procedures Manual THIS LINK
Press Conference with State Lawmakers & School Board Meeting THIS LINK
OCPS Changes Mask Policy AGAIN -Student Opt -Out THIS LINK
OCPS Mask Policy to Be Determined Tomorrow THIS LINK
State Board of Education Meeting Supported Governor's Political Agenda This Link
State Sends Non-Compliance Letter to School Board THIS LINK
New Surgeon General Issues Parent Choice Quarantine Rule THIS LINK
Health and Safety Impasse 2021 THIS LINK
Letters to DeSantis and Florida District Superintendents from U.S. Secretary of Education THIS LINK
District Posts Unilateral Health and Safety Manual THIS LINK
President Doromal Joins U.S. Congresswoman Val Demings to Advocate for Passage of the American Rescue Plan and Vaccines THIS LINK
Agreement on Summer School Health and Safety Provisions Reached THIS LINK
District Violates 12-8-21 MOU THIS LINK
Is COVID-19 Spread in OCPS Schools? THIS LINK
OCPS Universal Mask Mandate THIS LINK
CTA Prevails in Lawsuit Against District on Health and Safety THIS LINK and District Fails to Follow Court Order to Provide Health and Safety Documents THIS LINK