Public Employee Press

Union stops principal from blocking aide's return after health-care leave

School Aide Tynisa Glasgow was all set to return to her job for the first day of class on Sept. 8, 2009, after being away on approved medical leave to address health issues. But although she arrived at Harlem's P.S. 38 with a clean bill of health, the principal prohibited her from returning to work.

Glasgow, a 10-year veteran at the Dept. of Education and a Local 372 member, quickly contacted DC 37 Schools Division Grievance Rep Latreva Scott to get help. Scott immediately called and informed the school principal that Glasgow was cleared to work and should be allowed to return to her job. "That was not the principal's decision to make," Scott said.

Scott was able to get Glasgow back on the job, but the school's mistake cost Glasgow 15 days of work and wages. Scott filed a grievance against DOE on Glasgow's behalf, demanding payment of the wages she lost from Sept. 8 to Oct. 2, 2009.

At a grievance arbitration hearing on June 17, 2011, where the union was represented by Assistant General Counsel Aaron Amaral, the DOE was ordered to pay Glasgow her wages for the days the principal had kept her from working.

"The DOE was trying to push her out of service. That's why winning this case was so important," said Scott. "They have to respect our collective bargaining agreement."