Union Files Grievance on Behalf of Key Middle School Teachers

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Union Files Grievance on Behalf of Key Middle School Teachers

MyFox Houston - Houston,TX*

Friday, 02 Nov 2007

Key Middle School / KRIV-TV Houston FOX 26 News

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?

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The Houston Federation of Teachers filed a grievance Friday for

violation of the HISD Core Value -- Safety above All Else initiative

at troubled Key Middle School.

The suit, which was signed by more than 70 teachers from Key, was

filed against HISD superintendent Abe Saavedra and regional

superintendent .

The grievance alleges that HISD kept the staff in an unsafe

environment for five weeks after being informed that there was

something toxic in the building causing staff illness. Medical

reports given by their physicians confirm that the illnesses they

have and are experiencing are directly related to exposure to toxic

substances in the building.

The union wants HISD to provide on-going medical monitoring and

treatment for any and all symptoms associated with the exposure in

the form of a written commitment from the district to provide

indefinite medical care with regard to said exposure. It also seeks

to have HISD issue a public apology to the Key faculty, staff and to

the union for its callous remarks implying that the employees were

faking their illnesses.

" Either HISD truly believes in the core value Safety Above All Else

or not, " Federation president Gayle Fallon said. " How they rule on

this grievance will tell every employee, student, parent and patron

of this district whether the safety of the students and staff is

truly a concern or whether their core value is just PR hype. "

The problems at Key began in early September when seven janitors

became ill after allegedly inhaling bleach fumes at Key. HISD kept

the school open despite union concerns about mold problems in the

building before closing it weeks later and moving the students and

staff to Fleming Middle School.

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