ARTICLE 1 RECOGNITION

Cumberland School District

A. Under the provisions of the Rhode Island School Teacher Arbitration Act of 1966, the Committee recognizes that teaching is a profession.   The Association is recognized as the sole bargaining representative of all certified teachers, as defined in General Laws of 1956, Reenactment 1968, R.I.G.L. §28-9.3-2.

B. The  Committee  agrees not  to negotiate with any teacher organization  other  than the Association during the life of this agreement, except as may be directed by the state labor relations board.

C. The Association recognizes the Committee as an agent of the State of Rhode Island and as the elected representative   of the people of the Town of Cumberland.   The Committee is the employer of all certified personnel of the Cumberland School Department.

D. The Association agrees to equally represent  all personnel in the negotiating unit  without regard to participation in the activities of the Association or any other employee organization, and to admit teachers to membership  without qualification other than payment of dues and employment with the Cumberland School Department.

E. During negotiations, the Committee and the Association will make available for inspection pertinent records of the Cumberland School Department and the Association  upon request of the other.

F. After the ratification of this Agreement, if the Association elects a new bargaining agent, or if the Association acquires an affiliation other than the National Education Association Rhode Island/National Education Association, the Committee agrees that the provisions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and the new bargaining agent and/ or new affiliate will be accorded the full rights and privileges as required by law and this Agreement.