Extend COVID Stipend To Per Diem Workers, Newark Teachers Union Says

NEWARK, NJ — The Newark Teachers Union is asking the local board of education to extend a $1,000 stipend to a range of “per diem” employees who worked throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

The Newark Teachers Union (NTU) reached out to the board with their request last week, ahead of the board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 20.

NTU President John Abeigon wrote:

“The Newark Teachers Union, Local 481, requests the Newark Board of Education to consider the hard work and dedication of the following groups of employees within our bargaining unit during the COVID epidemic and permit them to also be beneficiaries of Let’s Go To Work stipends. Newark Board of Education per diem employees, many of whom became COVID victims, worked diligently as aides and teachers during the COVID epidemic. The Newark Teachers Union respectfully requests that the Newark Board of Education entertain a motion with a second that per diem employees who worked regularly during the COVID epidemic and who were employed prior to July 1, 2022, also receive a $1,000 Let’s Go To Work stipend.”

Abeigon continued:

“In addition, it is the Newark Teachers Union's position that employees who worked during the COVID period and who resigned or retired prior to December 31, 2022, should not be denied their Let’s Go To Work stipend, which exists as a reward for their stellar effort during the period of the epidemic.”

“The Newark Teachers Union respectfully requests that the Newark Board of Education entertain a motion with a second that employees in our bargaining unit who resigned or retired prior to December 31, 2022 who worked during the COVID period prior to July 1, 2022 receive the $500 or $1,000 stipend which has been denied them,” Abeigon concluded.

• See related article: Newark Teacher Union Wins 'Quarantine Day Grievance' vs. District
• See related article: Newark Schools Try To Attract New Teachers With $62K Starting Salary

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