Frequently Asked Questions

A bargaining agent is an organization that is the exclusive representative of a group of workers or employers in the process of collective bargaining.

Collective bargaining is the process of negotiations between the union and management over wages and working conditions.

The Syosset Teachers Association, Local 1596 (STA), is the elected exclusive bargaining agent for all full- and part-time teachers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, tutors, and summer school employees in the Syosset Central School District.

In addition to the elected officers of the STA, there are Building Representatives, each directly responsible for his or her own school and each elected solely by STA members in that school.

The building representatives elect one of their own as Head Representative.

STA is affiliated

• on the local level with Election District (E.D. 19)

• on the state level with the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT)

• on the national level with

  • the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA)

  • the American Federation of labor/Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL/CIO)

Syosset Central School District

• Major Medical/Hospitalization

• Dental

• Life Insurance

• Long Term Disability

• Early Retirement Incentive

• Participation in 403b Plan

• Participation in STA Benefit Trust

• Vehicle Vandalism Insurance

• Direct Deposit of Pay

• Payroll Deduction to Pay Credit Union Obligations

• Payroll Deduction for Dues and VOTE COPE...

STA

• Reimbursement for Umreimbursed Medical or Legal Expenses

• Employee Assistance Plan

• Hospital Supplement

• Vision Plan

   

 

• Working to elect candidates who support our interests

• Promoting the passage of school budgets

• Contacting elected officials via letters, phone calls, email

• Participating in coordinated political action

• There are a lot of us

• We're organized

• We vote

• We have a powerful lobby called VOTE COPE

1. vision care benefit

2. Employees Assistant Plan (EAP)

3. Excess Major Medical Insurance Plan

   1. rehabilitation services

   2. eyeglass coverage

4. in-hospital benefits

5. payments of certain un-reimbursed expenses

A list of Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) Companies will be updated soon. Stay tuned.

A nomination committee shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Representative Council. This committee is charged with the task of selecting qualified and interested members to fill positions of the STA. The Chairperson of the Nomination Committee presents a nominated slate of officers at the April meeting of the Representative Council. Nominations from the general membership in the form of a petition signed by twenty (20) members may be submitted to the Chairman of the Nominating Committee to be included on the ballot. All nominations shall be closed twenty-five (25) days prior to the date of election. Voting shall be by secret ballot. A majority of the votes cast is necessary for elections of officers of the STA. The results of the election shall be published.

The STA appoints committees when necessary, such as Negotiations, Grievances, and Elections. The Negotiations Committee is responsible for negotiating our contracts with the Board of Education. The Executive Committee prepares an annual budget for the operation of the union and recommends dues, subject to approval by the Representative Council. The Elections Committee oversees all elections and membership referenda. Other committees are formed by the STA on an as-needed basis.

• Mentoring will be available within the first year of employment to teachers holding initial certification pursuant to New York State Teacher Certification requirements effective February 2, 2004, unless they have successfully completed two years of teaching experience prior to this service.

• Mentoring will also be made available to first-year teachers employed for forty-one days or more.

When one joins the STA, the member automatically becomes enrolled in NYSUT, AFT, and AFL-CIO through a mandatory three-way unified membership. Of the total dues paid, approximately 51% goes to national and to the state, while the local retains about 49%. (These relative percentages change slightly from year-to-year depending upon how each group determines its needs and dues structure).

A grievance is a claim by any teacher based upon any violation, misinterpretation, or misapplication of the contract agreement between the Syosset Central School District and the STA.

• Movement on the salary schedule is granted after every 15 credits of study

• Credits may be a combination of graduate courses and in-service courses

• All individual courses must receive prior approval from the Deputy Superintendent's office (using MyLearningPlan.com)

• Moves can be made only once each fiscal year

• Salary advancement from one column of a salary schedule to the next may take place only at regularly scheduled intervals.

• When courses have been successfully completed, or a degree earned for advancement, placement on the higher schedule will take place as follows:
   

  If you’re ready to advance after:	The District needs to receive your application:	The District needs to receive your transcripts:	Your salary will increase on or retroactively to:
  Spring Semester	Prior to 9/1	Prior to 11/1	9/1
  Summer Semester	Prior to 9/1	Prior to 11/1	9/1
  Fall Semester	Prior to 2/1	Prior to 3/15	2/1

We work together to advocate for all Syosset students.  We meet monthly to share plans and strategies, to problem-solve, and to develop plans for future advocacy for our students.