ARTICLE 5 - ASSOCIATION RIGHTS

5.1 Use of Facilities

The Association shall have the right to make use of school buildings, audio-visual equipment, typewriters, and duplicating equipment on site at reasonable hours for normal Association business provided such use is not disruptive of normal school operations. These rights shall not extend to the use of District supplies.

5.2 Bulletins, Bulletin Boards, Mailboxes and Mail Service

The Association shall have the right to post notices of activities and matters of Association concern on school bulletin boards in the space(s) provided for the Association by the school. At least one (1) space of 3' x 4' minimum size shall be designated by the principal at each school campus for the Association in an area frequented by members. The Association may, to the extent permitted by law, use the District mail service, employee mailboxes, District email, and District phones for communication to employees. The Association shall have the right to place announcements, of average length and unrelated to employee concerted activities, for publication in the regular faculty bulletins.

5.3 Visitation of Association Representatives

Authorized representatives of the Association shall be permitted to enter onto school property, with notification to the site administrator, to transact official Association business during time when such transaction does not conflict with the instructional program or impair the normal flow of business. The Association shall be given opportunity after the close of faculty meetings to present reports and announcements to the membership.

5.4 Release Time

5.4.1 Unpaid Leave of Absence

The Association may designate two (2) employees who are Association members to receive unpaid leaves of absence for Association business. Length of leaves, which shall be reasonably related to the required duration of the Association business, is subject to approval by the Board.

5.4.2 President's Release Time

The Board shall grant release time to the President of the Association in accordance with the provisions below:

5.4.2.1 During tenure of office the Association President shall be granted full release time to perform Association-related duties.

5.4.2.2 Upon expiration of the term(s) of office, the President will, if possible, be returned to his/her previous position, or otherwise be afforded first choice of any available teaching positions for which he/she is qualified.

5.4.3 Association Release Time

The Exclusive Representative shall be allowed without cost to the Association, up to thirty (30) person days of released time for purposes of conducting Association business. Such Association designated unit members shall suffer no loss in compensation. It shall be the responsibility of the Exclusive Representative to inform the District of its intention to exercise this provision at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of a member's absence via the authorized form. It is the unit member’s responsibility to request a substitute. Days of released time will be taken in increments of half or full days.

5.5 Names, Addresses, Assignments

Names, addresses, and assignments of District members shall be provided without cost to the Association as soon as possible during the first semester. Information regarding new contracted members shall be provided as soon as possible after their employment.

5.6 Pre-School Orientation Involvement

The Association, on request, shall be given time on the agenda of the pre-school orientation program for the Association to explain its activities to new unit members.

5.7 Association Representative Communications

Designated representatives of the Association shall be allowed to receive telephone calls and other communications concerning Association business during school hours. Such communication shall not be in conflict with the instructional program or impair the normal flow of business except in cases of emergency.

5.8 Professional Dues and Payroll Deduction

5.8.1 Authorization

Any employee who is a member of the Association, or who has applied for membership, may sign and deliver to the District an assignment authorizing deduction of unified membership dues, initiation fees, and general assessments of the Association. Such authorization shall continue in effect for the term of this Agreement unless revoked in writing. Pursuant to such authorization, the District shall deduct one-tenth (1/10) of such dues from the regular salary warrant of the employee each month for ten (10) months. Deductions for employees who sign such authorization after the commencement of the school year shall be prorated appropriately to complete payments by the end of the school year. The District shall not be obligated to put into effect any new or changed deduction until the pay period which commences thirty (30) days or more after such submission.

5.8.2 Organizational Security

5.8.2.1 On or before September 15th of each year the Association shall present to the District a list of those members of the bargaining unit who are members of the Redlands Teachers Association. Upon receipt of this list the District shall determine which employees are not currently members of the Association. The District will then notify each non-member of his/her status, subject to Education Code 45061, and indicate that as a condition of employment, the employee must within thirty (30) days from the date of notification, either become a member of the Association or authorize a monthly payroll deduction as a representation fee which will provide an amount of money equal to only that portion of the total dues, initiation fees and general assessments paid by members of the Association which are applied to the legitimate costs of representation. Upon request, the Association shall return PERB mandated refunds. The District will follow a similar procedure for all those unit members hired after the presentation of the initial list.

5.8.2.2 In the event an employee cannot, for reasons of conscience, pay the representation fee to the Association, he/she shall not be required to join, maintain membership in, or financially support the Association as a condition of employment except that such employee shall be required, in lieu of the representation fee, to pay sums equal to such representation fee to one of the non-religious, non-labor organizations, or charitable funds listed below:

The American Red Cross, the Foundation to Assist California Teachers, the Redlands Community Scholarship Foundation, the Redlands Teachers Association Scholarship Fund, the United Way, Redlands Boys and Girls Club, or Redlands Family Service.

5.8.2.3 The foregoing paragraph shall apply to employees hired after May 11, 1979. Those employees currently members of the Association shall be required as a condition of employment, subject to Education Code Section 45061, to maintain their membership in good standing for the term of this Agreement.

5.8.2.4 The Association shall, as provided in Exhibit A, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the District, members of the District's Board of Education and employees, agents and representatives of the District from any and all claims, demands, suits or other forms of liability, including, but not limited to, wages, damages, judgments, fees, fines, court costs and attorneys fees, which may arise by reason of, or result from the operation of, Section 5.8.2 of this Agreement. The District shall notify the Association within a reasonable period of time of any and all such claims, demands, suits or other forms of liability, as provided in Exhibit A. The Association shall bear all costs of defending against any and all such claims, demands, suits, or other forms of liability, including, but not limited to court cost, attorneys fees and all other costs of litigation.

5.8.3 Deduction Procedures

With respect to all sums deducted by the District pursuant to authorization of the employee for membership dues, the Board agrees to remit monthly such monies to the Redlands Teachers Association accompanied by an alphabetical list of employees for whom such deductions have been made.

5.8.4 RTA Assistance

The Association agrees to furnish any information needed by the Board to fulfill the provisions of this Article.

5.8.5 Allowable Deductions

Upon appropriate written authorization from the employee, the District shall deduct from his/her salary and make appropriate remittance for jointly approved payroll deduction plans.

5.9 CBA Production and Cost

The District agrees to provide each employee within the bargaining unit a copy of this Agreement as soon as practicable after closure on negotiations for a new contract has been reached and has been ratified by the Association and the Redlands Unified School District. The District will provide the Association with seventy-five (75) copies per year of the Agreement in addition to those provided to all unit members.

5.10 Consultation

The District shall consult with the Association upon request, on the definition of educational objectives, the determination of the content of courses and curriculum and the selection of textbooks. Agendas in advance of the meetings of committees treating these topics as well as post-meeting minutes shall be forwarded to the president of the Association.