Archive: April 1999

Letters of Reprimand And Suspensions

Article 34 - Unit members have a vehicle to challenge the content of a Letter of Reprimand. A series of progressive disciplinary steps are laid out in the contract.

Section 34.2.1 requires multiple warnings prior to the issuance of a Letter of Reprimand. The progressive steps are:

• Verbal Warning
• Written Warning
• Letter of Reprimand

Each progressive step is triggered by a separate incident. Only in cases of "egregious conduct" may the progressive steps be set aside (Section 34.2.2). The contract does not define egregious but Webster's definition is "remarkable or extraordinary in some bad way; glaring, flagrant: an egregious mistake, an egregious liar". This definition places a high burden of proof on the District when it claims an action is egregious.

Sections 34.2.3 through 34.2.5 establish your right to challenge the content of a Letter of Reprimand. The challenge process concludes with a hearing before a neutral hearing officer. No longer can an administrator write a Letter of Reprimand based on dubious facts and expect it to be upheld.

Important! If you receive a Letter of Reprimand or a Written Warning contact your site's Association Representative immediately. The appeal to challenge the reprimand must be filed within ten (10) working days.

A long-term goal of the Association has been to develop a fair and equitable process for such disciplinary actions taken against unit members. We believe this Article provides such a mechanism.