In a blatant attempt to decapitate the Hartford Federation of Teachers (HFT), Superintendent Stephen Adamowski has hired a law firm to enforce a “use tax” upon union leadership, according to HFT officials.  Because HFT president, first vice president and second vice president are on what’s called detached duty, sources inside union leadership say that the law firm, Shipman and Goodwin, maintain that the union must pay a tax for the detached duty, the services provided by the leadership.  To date, neither the Board of Education nor its legal representation has provided  evidence to support this claim.  Adding to the assault, the Board of Ed. sent HFT leadership a letter stating that as of August 24 its detached duty will be considered unauthorized, unpaid leave.   This change would cause the three officers of HFT to lose their rights to contribute to their individual State Teachers Retirement accounts and lose their health insurance benefits. 

Union officials say that the HFT contract gives them the right to three detached duty positions, and any change in this designation jeopardizes representation.  An added twist is that the Board of Ed. wants to open HFT contract negotiations now (what’s called impact bargaining) to discuss the detached duty issue.  However, this could lead to negotiations on all contract matters.  The current HFT contract took effect July 1, 2008 and expires June 30, 2011.  Therefore, union officials worry that Adamowski and the Board of Ed. may have other changes in mind as well.

HFT legal representation has filed for a temporary injunction to stop the August 24 change in status.  HFT has also requested a Formal Labor Board hearing, which will take place in September.

HFT is being proactive.  They have called a rally to oppose the recent moves by Adamowski and the Board.   Rally details are as follows:

Tuesday August 18, 2009
5:00PM
Sports and Medical Sciences Academy
280 Huyshope Avenue
Hartford CT, 06106

Click here for a map to the school.