Involuntary transfers: senior by county hire date or date of position in the school?

[Anonymous]

I was hired by the county over 20 years ago. My school hired me for a specific position 9 years ago. I was hired before six other people in my department. Only one person was hired before me.

Last year, I was badly injured by a student. I spent 70 duty days on leave as MCPS and the specialist they had me see fought over my return with a couple basic accommodations. As a result, my position was “released” after 60 days, but no one even interviewed for it and I was rehired. As a result, my date of position in the building changed from 9 years to a little under 1 year as of today. However, I’ve been a teacher in the county more than two decades.

My department needs to cut one person. This morning, I was told it will possibly be me since the person hired in late August 2024 is not eligible to transfer yet due to being on probation.

Is this correct?

[Anonymous]

This sounds like a question for your union rep, not DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Union rep and lawyer.

You were on leave for 60 days or 130 days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Union rep and lawyer.

You were on leave for 60 days or 130 days?

70

I returned on the 71st duty day day after my injury.

I am already working with a WC lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This sounds like a question for your union rep, not DCUM.

I emailed them, but hoped to a) get a quicker response and b) have a sense of the policy is usually followed.

[Anonymous]

Maybe a transfer would be a good thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe a transfer would be a good thing?

I’ve considered it, but there is unlikely to be anything equivalent in terms of commute and preps.

I haven’t pushed back yet since it was a heads up that it could happen rather than official notice.

[Anonymous]

Time in union. It is definitely not time since you returned from leave.

[Anonymous]

I am not even a teacher but I can Google your CBA-- it says "If other significant factors are equal, the principal shall use a unit member’s length of MCPS service as the prevailing factor, except for the systemwide effort to promote increased diversity in the workforce."

And MCPS service is defined in the CBA as "MCPS Service—Service earned working in a permanent MCPS position in the bargaining unit, minus any military, transferred, or
purchased service. Where unit members have identical employment dates, the dates they signed their individual employment contracts
shall be determinative of seniority. If two or more unit members have the same date of signature, seniority shall be permanently
determined by the time the unit member signs the contract."

I mean, talk to your union rep, but that sure sounds like it should be 20 years (assuming you mean "hired by MCPS" when you say "hired by the county.")

[Anonymous]

“ except for the systemwide effort to promote increased diversity in the workforce."

That line makes everything very gray and subjective…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was hired by the county over 20 years ago. My school hired me for a specific position 9 years ago. I was hired before six other people in my department. Only one person was hired before me.

Last year, I was badly injured by a student. I spent 70 duty days on leave as MCPS and the specialist they had me see fought over my return with a couple basic accommodations. As a result, my position was “released” after 60 days, but no one even interviewed for it and I was rehired. As a result, my date of position in the building changed from 9 years to a little under 1 year as of today. However, I’ve been a teacher in the county more than two decades.

My department needs to cut one person. This morning, I was told it will possibly be me since the person hired in late August 2024 is not eligible to transfer yet due to being on probation.

Is this correct?

First - I wish you all the best. It sounds like you have had a horrible situation, and deserve to be treated well and with respect.

Try to negotiate a better job with MCPS. I can imagine you must be feeling some PTSD. I would think that ADA laws would require MCPS to make reasonable accommodations for you.

[Anonymous]

Best wishes.

[Anonymous]

As far as I understand, and PPs confirm, it is time in the county. Glad you have been in touch with the union.

[Anonymous]

I got notified of my transfer today. It sucks but I saw the writing on the wall since I was hired on July 28th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got notified of my transfer today. It sucks but I saw the writing on the wall since I was hired on July 28th.

Just stinks because this August will be my 4th new school in 4 years. The job stays the same but the kids and buildings keep changing