Posted by maryhelen on May 5, 2003, at 11:16:59
In reply to Re: work and other things ... » gabbix2, posted by Willow on May 5, 2003, at 9:10:09
Willow:
I also live in Ontario, Canada. Unions are supposed to be very powerful and they certainly have access to lawyers and whomever else they need to get advise from and intervene. In this case though, I think the union rep was actually excited about fighting this matter and suing the principal. I certainly did not get the impression that this would in my best interest but for him to be able to showboat. Evident as he started to become really angry at me for not providing the records that he percieved were relevant to do this and by his behaviour at the meeting.
I had to take a step back and look at everything that was happening. The issue of the drinking at lunch would be very hard to prove, as I experienced, she says yes, I say no. I feel I am fighting a losing battle. Throughout that first meeting and the ensuing turmoil I had to listen to what I had not really heard.
I was assured by the Superintendent that the school was mine. He gave me the option of a few different schools to retrain at as so much has changed in two years.
The insurance rehab rep set forth a more than decent retraining schedule, of which I am agreeable, and again suggested to getting back to work should be the focus at the moment. He then gave me the cell phone number of the Superintendent, which surprised me to no end. The Superintendents, in our Board, would be next to the Director of Education. He was very positive, encourgaging and said he had spoken to the principal again and she said she only had my best interests at heart. Which nearly made me sick because I know this is not true.
I am 51 years old and will be retiring at 65. Principals do not stay at schools as long as we do, in fact she could be retiring as soon as Christmas.
I have made the decision to take the retraining, go back in August to the school I love and bite the bullet on the drinking issue unless it continues to be an issue. How I am going to work with this woman is beyond me, but I'll just have to see what happens.
The irony of all this is that I have just started a medication change. I will begin 3 hours of work this coming Monday and I really do not feel terribly capable or strong enough right now to work. I guess my mask will be the biggest one I will have to wear up to this point.
There is one more alternative and that is to stay on LTD and not go back to work but what the heck would I do with the rest of my life. Also, pride cometh before the fall is a huge issue for me right now.
By the way, I have requested not to have a second meeting and, under the circumstances, I think everyone will be agreeable to this, except the Union rep, of course.
I would like to thank everyone for your responses and please wish me luck.
maryhelen
poster:maryhelen
thread:223776
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030426/msgs/224451.html