DR Alison Coviello, PhD and Principal of PS 154 in the Bronx Tramples Rights Underfoot

So as readers of the blog know by now, I have been reassigned. I'm biding my time at the CFN at 4630 Broadway. Alone. With no one to talk to. No one to "infect" with the truth.

I felt, and still feel, that I am being treated disparately. I decided to file a grievance citing Article 22a of the UFT contract;

A “grievance” shall mean a complaint by an employee in the bargaining unit (1) that there has been as to him/her a violation, misinterpretation or inequitable application of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (2) that he/she has been treated unfairly or inequitably by reason of any act or condition which is contrary to established policy or practice governing or affecting employees,

So the grievance was filed and I got an email from DR Alison Coviello, PhD and Principal of PS 154 in the Bronx. The email had an attachment instructing me that my Step I hearing was to be today, September 23, 2013 at 9:45 PM. But there was a glitch.

The meeting was not to be face to face, but rather over the phone. What? Can this be done? The Crack Team perused the UFT contract and could find no mention that this is permissible. In fact the exact wording is;

at the conference, the employee may appear personally or he/she may be represented by a Union representative or by any teacher of his/her choice in the school; but where the employee is represented he/she must be present. The Union representative shall be the chapter leader or his/her alternate in the school or, where there is no Union member in the school, any other designated Union representative. 

 

 So I sent DR Alison Coviello, PhD and Principal of PS 154 in the Bronx and email stating;

After consulting with the UFT I was informed that my Step I grievance meeting can not be done over the phone, and must be done in person.

I was rightly concerned. I would have no privacy. I would not be able to consult before or during the hearing with my CL. Others, unbeknownst to me could have been listening in on our conversation. There might be no cell reception.

 

The above was sent Saturday. On Friday, the Bronx UFT let her know in no uncertain terms that this was unacceptable, that this was a violation of my rights and if she had a problem with it she was to call the Office of Labor Relations. 

 

Early this morning my CL asked where the meeting was to be held.  DR Alison Coviello, PhD and Principal of PS 154 in the Bronx didn't budge. It was to be over the phone. I did it. I did not get to consult with my CL before or during. I had zero privacy. I am not sure that no one was listening in.

This is par for the course with DR Alison Coviello, PhD and Principal of PS 154 in the Bronx. Fiat rules at PS 154. Facts are created, rules are created. And those that dare to point out these fallacies are damned. 

If she did not want me to come to the school, fine. There were other options. The District 7 office a few blocks away, the CFN, or she could have come to 4360 Broadway. 

I am still being setup I believe and this has been going on since September of last year. I believe God will see the truth. I believe in my heart of hearts it is out there.