ARTICLE 4 LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY AND MANAGEMENT RIGHTS

Westerly School District

The Committee, through the Superintendent or his/her designee, agrees to deduct from the salaries and wages of Association members ("Association Members" or "Members") dues that are to be paid to the Westerly Teachers' Association, provided that each Association Member provides to the Superintendent a signed and written document authorizing the Committee to make such deductions. A copy of each written authorization shall be maintained in the payroll file of each Member.

The Committee recognizes that the Association may from time to time change the dues amounts to be paid by Members in accordance with law and the Association's Constitution and By-Laws. If the Association makes such a change, it shall notify the Committee in writing thirty (30) days prior to implementation by the Committee through deductions from Members' salaries and/or wages. In all instances, the dues to be paid by Association Members shall be remitted to the treasurer of the Association.
The Committee shall promptly discontinue the dues deductions of any Association Member if notified by the Association or the Member in writing of this request. In the event the Committee receives such notifi.cation directly from the Member, it shall also refer the Member to the Association.

The Association is fully responsible for any claim by an Association Member regarding withholding or collection of Association dues. The Association shall indemnify, defend, and hold hannless the Committee and any and all agents against any and all claims, demands, suits, or other forms of liability (monetary or otherwise), for any and all costs, including legal costs, that may arise out of or by reason of action taken or not taken by the Committee in complying with the provisions of this Article. If an improper deduction or failure to make such deduction occurs, the Association shall deal directly with its Member to make whatever refund or deduction the Member and Association deem just.

The Committee shall give written notice to the Treasurer and President of the Association of all new employees within the bargaining unit who become eligible for membership in the local. In addition, the Committee shall provide a list of Members to the Ass ciation's state organization, the National Education Association of Rhode Island, at the start of each school year, no later than October 10th.

Subject to and in accordance with the School Teachers' Arbitration Act, the School Committee hereby recognizes the Association as the exclusive representative of all certified professional employees (other than temporary substitutes) of the Westerly Public Schools, below the rank of assistant principal. Unless otherwise indicated, the employees in the above unit will be hereinafter referred to as "teachers." The Association agrees to represent equally all teachers without regard to membership or participation in the Association.

Neither the Committee nor the Association shall unlawfully discriminate against any employee in the bargaining unit because of such employee's race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, genetic information, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship status, or status as a special disabled veteran, Vietnam Era veteran, or any other veteran who served on active duty during a ware or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law. The Committee and the Association affirm their joint opposition to any discriminatory practices in connection with employment, promotion or training, mindful that the public interest is enhanced with full utilization of each employee's skill and ability without regard to the above-cited factors.

It is hereby agreed that any alteration or modification of this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto only if such changes are agreed to in writing by the Association and the School Committee.