UFT members have a contractual and legal right to a safe work environment. We know the authorities are telling us to wash our hands for twenty seconds regularly. For those who aren't getting adequate washroom supplies, look at Contract Article 7S1:
Adequate supplies will be made available in teacher washrooms in schools.
Don't be afraid to yell immediately if supplies run out.
Also, Article 10E1 Safe Environment states:
In recognition of the importance of employee safety and health, the Board agrees to provide the appropriate recognized standards of workplace sanitation cleanliness, light, and noise control, adequate heating and ventilation. The Board of Education agrees to eliminate recognized hazards that are likely to cause serious physical harm.
What you need to know about coronavirus
The UFT has created a new
information hub on
its website that contains the latest information and city Department of Education guidance on the new coronavirus. Here you’ll find DOE guidance for principals, staff and parents as well as information about transmission and symptoms, quarantine guidelines,
preventive measures and absences. We will update this section as new guidance from the DOE or other important information is released.
Your chapter leader is gathering information concerning cleaning supplies and protective gear and the staffing of the isolation room, and using out this online form to report any issues to the union. The UFT continues to work with the DOE and the Department of Health to monitor the outbreak of Covid-19 and its effect on our school communities.
Your chapter leader is gathering information concerning cleaning supplies and protective gear and the staffing of the isolation room, and using out this online form to report any issues to the union. The UFT continues to work with the DOE and the Department of Health to monitor the outbreak of Covid-19 and its effect on our school communities.
Hmmm, is it necessary for everyone to travel to a meeting that could be done, say over a webinar? Head scratcher here.....
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be worried about the schools closing as much as the economy collapsing. Problem is nobody alive today ever experienced a real global pandemic, so nobody really knows what to expect.
ReplyDeleteSo why is the uft not demanding we use the 3 snow days, which are not needed, to get everyone out, see if anyone is sick, do the deep cleaning they promised? Typical UFT and DOE.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.change.org/p/andrew-m-cuomo-close-all-nyc-schools-because-of-coronavirus-outbreak-and-taking-classes-online?source_location=topic_page
ReplyDeleteNY Post
ReplyDeleteGov. Andrew Cuomo warned Monday that some New York schools could be closed for weeks because of the coronavirus.
”If a student tests positive in a school, the school is closed for an initial 24-hour period so we can do an assessment,’’ the governor said at a press conference.
If there are continued concerns about the facility after that, “At this point, it’s fair to say, we’re talking about a number of weeks’’ before it would reopen, he said.
“We have a major problem in New Rochelle,” the governor noted, referring to the Westchester County town where an infected lawyer who works in Midtown lives and has been tied to at least part of the outbreak there.
The county is the hardest-hit area in the state, at least so far, in terms of the virus, with 98 cases Monday — or 37 more than Sunday.
State officials said the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was assessing the New Rochelle school situation Monday and considering closing all of the facilities.
Cuomo predicted, “We are going to be closing schools for weeks.”
As part of the state’s current 142 tally, there also are 19 patients in New York City — up from at least six Sunday.
Eight people in the state with the virus are hospitalized, Cuomo said.
Ill bet this virus doesnt kill as many people as "bail reform" and sanctuary state status do by the end of this year.
ReplyDeleteOut of an abundance of caution, we have decided to cancel tomorrow’s RTC meeting.
ReplyDeleteI apologize for the inconvenience. Please stay healthy and safe.
In unity,
Tom Murphy
Retired Teachers Chapter Leader
"If any New York state student tests positive for the new coronavirus, their school will close for at least 24 hours, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday morning as the number of people who tested positive for the illness grew over the weekend. "
DeleteOh, so after everyone gets infected? So all these things canceled, but we have to be 1.2 million studnets, plus staff, plus travel? Thanks uft...
ReplyDeleteThe 24-hour period will be used to thoroughly clean the school facilities and investigate who came into direct contact with the sick person. The New York City Health Department will determine if and when the school can reopen.
@NYSEDNews
@HealthNYGov
@nysut
2/2
It is really good that as of today, we have not heard of any public school students in the NYC area that have come down with coronavirus. I can appreciate al the information we are receiving about procedures and protocols BUT, of course, there is always a BUT, I have not yet read any information or have been informed about handling this looming crisis for special populations of children we serve. I am troubled when the powers that be do not communicate protocols for our most vulnerable students in D75 programs who are in close contact with each other, cough and sneeze on each other spreading droplets across close spaces, on materials and faculty who serve. For a good number of our kids this is just a plain old inability to fully comprehend the importance of mindfulness to protect themselves or others.
ReplyDeleteI query, what procedures and protocols for health and safety are in place for our students and staff serving and subjected to fluids every day under this possible catastrophe?
Universal precautions- YES
Ability to distance 3 feet (DOE) 6 feet(CDC)- NO
Masks for children with symptoms- NO (most would be unable to maintain consistent unfamiliar coverage of face)
Masks for DOE employees handling potential exposure within close space in class- NO
Separate area/ room for potentially ill students- we all know space is at a premium, we hope but unlikely
Then what?
Our school is working to address issues as directed, we all can only do the best we can for our kids and colleagues BUT, specific procedures and protocols for special populations need to be addressed in order to maintain work place/public health and safety issues within our District 75 school community. We have not heard anything from David Doorka our District 75 UFT Representative who frequently reaches out to staff is silent. Why?