For Rye Neck educators, it's not really about money — it's about respect.

Marking 325 days without a new contract, members of the Rye Neck Teachers Association in Westchester County were joined at a solidarity rally on May 20 by NYSUT Secretary-Treasurer Lee Cutler and colleagues from about 15 local unions in Westchester and Rockland counties.

"It's about creating an environment that is humane and respectful," Cutler said. "What this administration has done is insulting and poisoning the tone and morale for years to come."

Intimidation tactics

Rye Neck TA President Nick Pagliuca said the district superintendent is well known for his hardball intimidation tactics, including:

• discouraging participation in union activities;
• requiring an unnecessary number of members to chaperone after-school events without compensation; and
• requesting "appropriate documentation" for personal day requests for even the most sensitive family situations.

Religious observance days have been questioned, and educators who already have their master's degree have been denied credits for salary advancement because they "don't lead to a degree."

"I believe many people have realized that Rye Neck is Ground Zero for a new (labor/management) paradigm in education and collective bargaining," Pagliuca said.

As New York Teacher went to press, the two sides had one more negotiating session scheduled before heading to a factfinder.

Rye Neck is one of about 175 NYSUT bargaining units working under expired agreements.