Teachers at Olney High were 'threatened'
Teachers trying to unionize at ASPIRAs Olney Charter High were threatened, a federal agency said.
TEACHERS AND STAFF trying to unionize at Olney Charter High School were "threatened" and "interrogated" in retaliation for their efforts, the National Labor Relations Board stated in a complaint released this week.
The NLRB found merit in two charges of unfair labor practices filed by the Alliance of Charter School Employees against Olney Charter and operator ASPIRA Inc. of Pennsylvania and will proceed to trial at a hearing scheduled for Oct. 15.
"I feel very positive ... about getting closer to recognition," said Emily Guck, an English and theater teacher at the school. "It has been a difficult year in many ways, but I've also been very inspired by my colleagues to make our school a better place."
A majority of the 187 teachers, guidance counselors and other staff at the school announced their intentions in March to form a union with the help of the alliance, which is associated with the American Federation of Teachers. The staffers said they wanted due process when a complaint is filed against them, structures for communicating with school administration and professional development.
Instead, according to the complaint obtained by the Daily News, three school administrators used threats and one-on-one meetings to interfere and coerce employees who said they supported a union.
The NLRB identified the administrators as principal Jose E. LeBron and assistant principals Bridget Bujak and Lisette Agosto Cintron.
LeBron "threatened that Respondents would play 'hardball' because their employees were engaging in union activity," according to the complaint.
Cintron warned staff that the school "would withhold a decision on the renewal of their contracts because [the school's] employees were seeking union representation," the document reads.
The school issued a disciplinary warning to teacher Amelia DeGory - a vocal union supporter - thus making good on the administrators' "stated intention to play 'hardball,' " according to the complaint.
Responding to an email requesting comment, ASPIRA board president Fred Ramirez wrote: "Of course I will have something to say in the future about education in our community." Other ASPIRA officials did not respond to the request.
The school has paid $17,094 in public funds to the law firm Eckert Seamans, which is handling the union-organizing effort on Olney's behalf, according to records released under a Right to Know request.
Online: ph.ly/DNEducation
