UESF Structure
The Union Building Committee (UBC) is the single, most effective way for teachers
and paraprofessionals to collectively voice opinions and affect policy at the school site.
How a UBC functions varies from school to school. However, communicating
and meeting with staff and administration, enforcing the union contracts
and helping to set budget priorities are just a few of the tasks all UBCs
have in common.
From time to time, we hope to describe some of the many exemplary
UBC practices that take place at school sites around the District.
If the UBC at your site has developed some practice that's
worked for you, please let us know by calling the Union office at 621.4438 or emailing the
webster.
Fairmount School: Each of the five UBC members of a staff of 45 is
responsible for communicating with eight members each contacting them about
union issues, distributing literature, etc. They've set up monthly meeting
times with the principal, a few days after the regular UBC meeting,which
are "calendared" in for the entire year. They rotate UBC meeting facilitators.
Mission High School: So, the UBC created a flow chart diagraming the communication pathways
that were functioning and held a focus group to recommend how to improve communication.
By actively searching out meetings where decisions were made,
the UBC was able to keep the staff more informed about these meetings and increase the chances for participation.
Able to identify where decisions were made, they were
able to gain more access to planning staff meetings and becoming part of the agenda,
setting the tone for two way communication.
The agendas and minutes of the UBC meetings were posted on the UBC bulletin
board so staff could see where and how decisions were being made.
The results of this year's staff survey indicated they they felt
communication had improved because of work on the UBC.
Woodside Learning Center: Michel attributes this to the UBC which he said has
only existed since last school year. Prior to the setting up
the UBC which is playing an active role, spending decisions were
made unilaterally -- by the administration.
Exemplary practices
UBCs have voice, help to set policy at sites
Cynthia Lasden, building representative,
reports that her UBC developed efficient systems to disseminate information
and share responsibilites.
Susan Boshoven, building representative,
reports that last year her UBC developed a survey to identify and prioritize
concerns at Mission HS. One of the main issues was that the staff felt site
communications and decisions were "top-down."
Roberto Michel, para rep,
reports that as a result of requests by his UBC, led by Building
Rep Lois Cardinal, the principal now openly discusses the site budget
with staff and that for the first time in his five years at Woodside, the staff has had a say in how unrestricted funds are being spent. A new staff person is being hired and dictionaries are being purchased for classrooms.
UESF's Mission and Affiliates
| Calendar
| Committees
| Constitution and Bylaws
| Contract for Paraprofessionals
| Contract for Teachers
| Directory
| Governance
| Know Your Rights
| Member Benefits
| Labor Resources
| Political Action
| Reform and Education Issues
| S.F. Teachers in the News
| Teaching Resources
| Treasurer's Accounts
|
