Quote:
|
However, in my experience, she is likely an actual member of the Local; otherwise AFGE would never expend resources to champion her cause. They have no use for non-paying members of the bargaining unit...
|
I have no experience with the AFGE, but have been a member of the "Council of Representatives" and "Negotiations Team" as well as at one time being VP of more than one local "Educational Associations" (aka union)... all under the umbrella of the NEA, unfortunately.
Like your situation, the contract language with the district provided that a teacher had the right to have a "representative" at any personnel issue discussion with admin. Usually, the teacher chose one of the school's members of the Council of Reps. We (the local EA) were under no obligation to accompany any non-member (they could have a lawyer, friend, other teacher, etc go with them). However, on a case-by-case basis, if the issue was one that was important to the EA, we'd do so.
Perhaps AFGE Local officials would seriously love to get rid of this political appointee, and see the incident has having the best chance to do that - whether or not the complainant is, or is not, a union member.