The Problem
Charges of impropriety on the job require fact-finding and disciplinary hearings. Currently, such hearings are often conducted before the direct supervisor or body that filed charges. This can lead to intimidation and creates an unbalanced, unfair environment for the proper resolution of disputes.
The Solution
Fair is fair, and unfair is no good at all. The union is pushing a change to Civil Service law to ensure fair due process hearings for permanent employees facing disciplinary charges — including non-instructional school employees and other job titles in public service.
NYSUT-backed changes would provide a more reasonable procedure in which such hearings are heard before an impartial arbitrator, selected after mutual agreement of both parties. The change would also prevent employers from imposing harmful penalties before a case has been decided, which often happens now.
