Casazza protests
in April./ Globe photo

On the first day of school Wednesday, Sept. 8, traffic supervisors were directed to return to fill a number of shifts, as the union representing them filed an unfair labor practice.

Roseann Casazza, head of the Arlington Traffic Supervisors chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, confirmed the union actions and clarified numbers Sept. 9. Because of budget cuts, 34 supervisors, also called crossing guards, were eliminated last spring.

The Advocate reported Arlington public schools had agreed to reinstate 15 shifts, plus four funded by external sources. Casazza said the correct total is 13. Of these, she said, six work a.m. and p.m. shifts, and seven work an a.m. shift. But a listing of locations and shifts provided on the schools' Web site shows 17 shifts.

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The union filed a grievance under the parties’ collective-bargaining agreement in late June. A hearing before an arbitrator is to be scheduled.

Casazza said the actions are in response to what the union called a violation of state Civil Service and collective-bargaining laws. She said the way she and her coworkers were informed of the layoffs was illegal in that their contracts extended until June 2011.

According to the contract, Casazza said, both parties have 30 days to tell the other of an intention to end the agreement. School Superintendent Kathleen Bodie acknowledged that school officials missed the deadline in which they were legally obliged to inform the employees that their positions had been eliminated and that she believed she and other school officials had corrected that mistake, The Advocate reported.

The APS-funded shifts were chosen based on recommendations from the Transportation Advisory Committee in July.

The times and locations will include one crossing guard in the mornings at Bishop and Dallin schools. Two morning shifts will return to Hardy and Thompson schools. Two morning positions and one afternoon shift will be reinstated at the Ottoson Middle School. Stratton (at Overlook/Washington streets), Peirce and Brackett schools will receive one morning and afternoon shift each.

Two shifts will be funded by the Dunkin’ Donuts on Broadway and two by Ecole Bilingue, the French academy on Irving Street.

Casazza said she and all others who were invited to return would work part time. She said her annual pay was reduced $3,000 now that she is working only a morning shift.

It is not clear yet how many supervisors will return to their positions. Casazza said some may have found alternative employment or retired.

The positions will be funded through what Bodie described to The Advocate as "turnover savings."

Throughout the summer, she said it is not uncommon for faculty to turn in resignations or announce their retirement. This turnover is accounted for in the budget. Each new hire is budgeted at $50,000 but not every one will earn that much, she said. If a newly hired employee receives a salary below $50,000, the difference goes toward the turnover savings.

Casazza said neither Bodie nor any School Committee member has been in touch with union representatives other than the initial notice of their eliminated positions, a letter informing them of the possibility of reinstatement this summer and the most recent reinstatement offer.

Bodie has not responded to a request for comment from YourArlington.

This story was first published Thursday, Sept. 9, and updated Sept. 14.