Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for February 5, 2002 UPDATE: NEGOTIATIONS & MERGER

NEGOTIATIONS:

February 4th - Rescheduled Fourteenth Negotiations Session - 5:30 p.m. - 7:08 p.m. - Confusion abounds...After a one-week delay (at Board request - said that they needed more time to prepare their "Top Ten" list), a snag occurred in the expected exchange of bargaining proposals. AFTER exchanging proposals, the Board team expressed their belief that these proposals were "language items" only...that "money" issues would be separate from and in addition to the "Top Ten" list.

The Association strongly objected to this interpretation...citing the FACT that we sent them a letter on January 22nd stating that the "Top Ten" included everything except the teacher salary schedule. The Board's team acknowledged getting the letter, but cited "communications problems". Oh, well...yet another delay...a small one, but after eight (8) months...any delay...(repeated delays)...becomes very (suspicious?) disturbing!

"Plan B" - the Board team will prepare a "new" (comprehensive) list for our next negotiations session - TENTATIVELY (Take nothing for granted!) scheduled for Monday, February 11th.

Two steps forward and one step back...we did TA Section 2.10 (Employee Evaluation) as expected. However, the full Board objected to their team's concession on Section 2.17 (Pupil Discipline). Therefore, more negotiations on that item. The other step forward was that we did reach verbal agreement on Section 3.1 - Notification of Teaching Assignment - an item appearing on both "Top Ten" lists. Another such item - Section 3.8 - Involuntary Transfer - is still being discussed.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Association suggested that the two sides request the services of a federal mediator as provided for in the Contractual Agreement. After eight long months, we feel that an outside presence would be beneficial...would keep both sides focused and on task as we reach a critical juncture of negotiations. The Leadership Teaming group that visited the District for our "intervention" in mid-January suggested and offered the services of a "facilitator", but questions now arise on the funding of such a third party. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service - FMCS (...yet another acronym for future reference - there will be a quiz/test during the ratification meeting - gives you plenty of time to study!) - is free. The Board team said that they would discuss this with the full Board at their Special Meeting on February 6th. As usual...stay tuned!

MERGER:

Some of you...hopefully ALL of you...have noticed the "MERGER ELECTION NOTICE" which is (supposed to be) posted in all attendance centers. It specifies the date of the election (Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - the day after the three-day weekend for President's Day), the location of the election (the CJHS Library), and the times of the election (Morning - 6:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and Afternoon - 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.)

If you are thinking..."We already had that election!"...that "election" (in September) was a straw poll...to see if the membership was in favor PRIOR to making various commitments. A membership meeting was held prior to that straw poll, the issue was thoroughly discussed, and everyone was encouraged to participate and voice their true feelings about merger. The results of that straw poll - reported to you at the time - were that almost 75% of the membership(47 "YES" and 16 "NO") voted to merge the CAT with the teachers' assistants. The teachers' assistants union did likewise.

The February 19th election is the "OFFICIAL ELECTION" required by the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB). It is very important that everyone participate in this election. I would also add that it is very important that everyone remember the commitment made at that time to the teachers' assistants. For our credibility...which has always been impeccable...we must honor that commitment.

See you there on February 19th!