One thing you could do is utilize a special calendar (or use the small one from UTLA!!) and mark the days you have worked with the school name, or abbreviation, the teacher's name, and then simply check-mark each day *after* you get paid.

Additionally, if one keeps track of all receipts from each school, they can they gather the specific receipts they have been paid for and ATTACH them ONTO the actual check stub received, with any written annotations (i.e. date received, and if all days were paid appropriately...)

Another quick / easy way of organization is to keep a basic list (or notebook) with a simple record of all days worked.

1. Were you too sick or injured to work?

2. Was there any reason (other than sickness or injury) that you could not have accepted full time work each work day?

3. Did you look for work?

4. Did you refuse any work?

5. Did you begin attending any kind of school or training?

6. Did you work or earn any money, WHETHER YOU WERE PAID OR NOT?

As long as you were available to work if the Sub Unit called, answer no for 1,2,4 and 5 answer yes for #3.

You maybe eligible for some money if you only worked one or two days. Ask the EDD to calculate how much you are eligible to receive. Enter the gross earnings for the week for 6a. For 6b you write the number of total hours worked that week for LAUSD and list the "reason no longer working" as "working on-call."

Subs who are taking the unpaid 40 hour training in order to work long-term assignments can apply for benefits for that week. Follow the above directions and say yes for question # 3 on the form and yes for # 5.

After you call to start your claim you may get a letter saying that a telephone interview has been set up. They will be calling to ask you if you are on a recess period  (Meaning that all schools are closed) . If you are a year round Substitute Teacher the only time LAUSD is on recess is between Christmas and New Years. You are not eligible then. You are eligible during summer because there are schools open all year.

Sometimes the EDD makes a mistake and denies the claim of a year round Sub during summer, or the week before Christmas, when some schools are open. Explain in the appeal letter, that you are available year round for the LAUSD year round schools .

If you are a traditional Sub and do not work during the summer, then you are not eligible for unemployment money during that time. If you have received "non-school" earnings (e.g., earnings from a private sector job) during the 19 months preceding your filing for benefits, those earnings can be used to qualify you whether or not you are considered to be on "recess."

In the near future the EDD person who takes your information on the phone when you first apply will ask if you are a year round Substitute Teacher . This will eliminate the need to schedule a phone interview.

The EDD will not send you money the first week you are eligible. They will send you money according to the above procedures for the rest of your open claim.

Sometimes it doesn't take filing to solve a problem. It is always a good  idea to develop good rapport with the administration. When problems arise consult with the school's Union Rep (Called the Chapter Chair) or calmly try to see if the Assistant Principal in charge of Subs can fix it for you. (Note: If an administrator calls "you" in for a meeting (in person or on the phone), ask if it is disciplinary in nature. If so, ask to have the Union Rep in the meeting before you continue.

I had a problem with getting paid for the extra hour after school, when I worked for a teacher who had 6 periods, because they didn't know where I was for that extra hour. The next week I called the Assistant Principal in charge of Subs and explained to her the work I had done. She okayed the extra hour and told me next time to check in with the office after school first, before continuing to work in the classroom so that both she and I could be accountable for that hour of pay.

According to the contract the school must then give you the opportunity to make up an hour, after school. Some may dismiss you and give you the extra hour without requiring you to stay because they don't have anything for you to do. If that is the case consider yourself lucky, because they are supposed to give you some work to do.  So please don't give the office manager a hard time if s/he asks you to do some work.

The extra work they give you can only be in your job classification. You are a teacher. They should only give you work they would assign another teacher, like supervision or calling parents. If they ask you to do clerical or janitorial work, show them a copy of the Warren Fletcher letter that will verify your insistence regarding appropriate work. There is a copy of the Fletcher letter  in this newsletter. It is a good idea to make a copy of it and carry it with you when ever you go to school.

If an administrator still directs you to do work you believe is inappropriate, you must follow their directions in order to avoid being written up. You can then call UTLA to file a grievance.

If you work for a teacher who teaches 6 periods, then you will get paid for the auxiliary period, if you choose to stay an hour after school. You can spend the extra hour at the school site either before or after school. The hour can encompass some of your normal duties such as notes for the teacher, and straightening up the room as well as any other teacher duties they may assign.

Some office managers do not know they are supposed to pay you for the extra hour. I have included a copy from the District's policy manual that you can show them. It is also a good idea to keep a copy with you.

Once you attend all three days of training you will receive a letter of completion for your principal. This letter includes instructions for reporting pay for the substitute that covers for you while you were at the training.

As a  long-term Sub you do not actually receive additional pay for attending.  You receive the day of  pay that you would have been given if you were in the classroom that day.

There is limited space. The next trainings are September 20-22 in Woodland Hills, and

October 11-13 in Culver City. Register now.