Public Employee Press

Union gives school principal an F in labor relations

When DC 37 Schools Division Council Rep Domenic Renzi went to PS 53 in the Bronx to represent a member of Board of Education Employees Local 372 in a hearing with the school's principal, the last thing he expected to hear was an anti-union rant from the principal.

"That was totally uncalled for. Even more importantly, it was a clear violation of the state Taylor Law on public sector labor relations," said Renzi.

DC 37 attorney Deena Mikhail filed improper practice charges against the city Dept. of Education before the state Public Employment Relations Board in January, asking the board to order the principal to cease and desist from making anti-union statements.

Such anti-union speeches by a management official would have a "chilling effect" on union activity and could intimidate union members from exercising their legal rights, said the union.

Pre-hearing settlement

Before a hearing that was scheduled for June 23, the union reached an agreement with DOE. The agency acknowledged its obligation under the Taylor Law not to interfere with or retaliate against the union in its lawful representation of members or to interfere with or retaliate against individual members exercising their union rights. Both DOE and the union acknowledged their mutual obligation to handle issues in a way that will be productive to both.

"The process works," said Renzi after the hearing. "It may take a while but it works. And this principal has learned an important lesson: Respect the rights of union members."