I want to introduce you to RESPA and give you information about our union. RESPA is our local union of MEA, Michigan Education Association (state) and NEA, the National Education Association (national). RESPA was formed in 1987 and united the other barging groups with Rockford Public Schools.
RESPA is the union that represents all of the support staff except the security and technology departments. Before the Rockford Educational Support Personnel Association was united, each group bargained their own contract. Prior to being RESPA, we were separate units and our benefits of being a union were limited. The first unit, the Non-Teaching unit consisted of the custodians, maintenance, and mechanics and later the food service staff joined the Non-Teaching unit. The secretaries and transportation had their own contracts and bargained for their own needs. The paraprofessional did not have a contract and were brought in as RESPA formed. We vote to unionize with the Michigan Education Association in 1988 and joined with MEA and NEA. Our local county office is Kent County Education Association- KCEA.
Why would you want to belong to RESPA and MEA/NEA? It’s simple the power of many makes a force of one. What do you get when you support the union with your dues is the most common question. As you read the union contract, everything that you see in there was bargained over and negotiated through with the school district. None of the benefits of the contract are giving to you just because you work in your profession. Since RESPA we have an agreement with the district, none of your benefits cannot be taken away. Here is some of the highlights of your benefits of the RESPA contract:
I hope you take the time to read over the information provided. If you have any questions you can contact me direct or check out the websites of MEA (www.mea.org) and NEA (www.nea.org). We have Vice Presidents who representing each unit and they too can help you. They are:
Ray Plath
RESPA President
Rockford Educational Support Personnel Association
4500 Kroes NE Rockford MI 49341
616-863-6349 ext 7526 616-430-0212 cell
RESPA is the union that represents all of the support staff except the security and technology departments. Before the Rockford Educational Support Personnel Association was united, each group bargained their own contract. Prior to being RESPA, we were separate units and our benefits of being a union were limited. The first unit, the Non-Teaching unit consisted of the custodians, maintenance, and mechanics and later the food service staff joined the Non-Teaching unit. The secretaries and transportation had their own contracts and bargained for their own needs. The paraprofessional did not have a contract and were brought in as RESPA formed. We vote to unionize with the Michigan Education Association in 1988 and joined with MEA and NEA. Our local county office is Kent County Education Association- KCEA.
Why would you want to belong to RESPA and MEA/NEA? It’s simple the power of many makes a force of one. What do you get when you support the union with your dues is the most common question. As you read the union contract, everything that you see in there was bargained over and negotiated through with the school district. None of the benefits of the contract are giving to you just because you work in your profession. Since RESPA we have an agreement with the district, none of your benefits cannot be taken away. Here is some of the highlights of your benefits of the RESPA contract:
- Due process. This gives you the right to be treated fairly; if discipline is applied you cannot be terminated for a simple infraction. Due to state law teachers no longer have this protection.
- Leave time.
- Sick time, personal leave, vacation and family leave.
- Holiday pay.
- For several years you did not receive holiday time if the holiday fell on the weekend.
- Paid Christmas and New Year’s holiday for part time staff is for compensation for non-instructional days off.
- Insurance:
- MESSA (medical) insurance for full time staff.
- Vision and dental for part time staff (20 hours or more).
I hope you take the time to read over the information provided. If you have any questions you can contact me direct or check out the websites of MEA (www.mea.org) and NEA (www.nea.org). We have Vice Presidents who representing each unit and they too can help you. They are:
- Sue Bibler – Vice President of Paraprofessionals
- Sandi Peterson – Vice President of Food Service
- Vacant – Vice President of Secretarial
- Karen McGarry – Vice President of Custodial & Maintenance
- Joe Fortier – Vice President of Transportation
Ray Plath
RESPA President
Rockford Educational Support Personnel Association
4500 Kroes NE Rockford MI 49341
616-863-6349 ext 7526 616-430-0212 cell