CAT Tracks for March 12, 2002 FREQUENT TALKER MILES

NOT MUCH ACTION...

The two teams met last night from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The session began with a brief discussion of Section 3.11 (Working Conditions), but there was no progress.

Attention then turned to Section 3.17 (Lesson Plans). The Board team made a "supposal" - an unofficial offer...which if not accepted..."did not happen". They offered to withdraw their original proposal and leave lesson plans up to discretion of the building administrator...while keeping the last half of the CAT counter...a requirement for lesson plans when absent and a provision for 3-day emergency lesson plans. No agreement was reached.

Next up for discussion...Section 4.3 (Payroll Installments). The Board's team indicated that they had contacted the technical support staff for the new payroll software company. Good news...the program CAN be modified to correct the problem of last June 15th...the excess taxes being withheld from people who opt for or are required to take a lump-sum payment of summer money. Language will be typed up for a possible TA at the next session.

Initial "exploration" was made in Section 4.8 (Insurance). After discussing the currrent single rate ($354.58) and the projected increase by BCBS of 32% to begin on May 1st, the item was tabled pending negotiation of the salary schedule. However, the Board's team indicated that the District had already asked the insurance broker to explore modifications of the District's current group health coverage (e.g. higher deductible) AND a possible switch of insurance carrier. The CAT did receive assurance that the District's Insurance Committee would be involved in the process as in the past.

The two teams briefly discussed Section 4.26 (Early Retirement Option). The Board team indicated that there were "no takers" on the early retirement letters (requesting a decision on retirement by March 8th) which were sent to eight bargaining unit members. Some of those members indicated that they would be interested ONLY IF the District agreed to do as last year; namely, pay the employee's share. The Board indicated that it was not prepared to do so at this time due to financial constraints. The Board team also indicated that it might have to "cap" the number who could retire under E.R.O. at the 30% level allowed in the law...which would be 3 of the eligibles...due to the amount required to be paid by the employer. The CAT reminded the Board that the whole purpose of the law was to allow the District to save money...by replacing the "high-priced" employee with a person of lesser experience on the salary schedule. They indicated their understanding, but cited a limitation on their borrowing power to finance the "buy out". The measure was tabled for the time being.

The final item discussed was Section 4.16 (Advancement on Salary Schedule). The CAT has proposed that "All employees shall receive the additional scheduled compensation for both horizontal and vertical advancement and will not be "frozen" due to failure of the Board and the Association to negotiate a new contract."

Currently employees can move horizontally by providing proof of educational advancement. BUT, if the contract expires (which it did on August 14, 2001), employees do not automatically move to the next level...do not get paid for an additional year of experience...the year that you spent teaching in CSD #1 last year. HOWEVER...an employee who came to Cairo from another District DOES get paid at the correct level...for ALL of their years of experience...which is as it should be! The CAT is simply asking that those who taught in Cairo instead of elsewhere be afforded the same privilege/right.

The Board's team did not agree. They emphasized that until a new contract is negotiated, the Board is mandated by labor law to maintain the "status quo"...to continue to honor the provisions of the old contract. The CAT agreed with "the rule", but NOT the interpretation. The "status quo" states that an employee with a certain number of years of experience should be paid a certain amount...as specified on the salary schedule for the 2000-2001 School Year. BUT...This is NOT being done!

EXAMPLE: You are an employee who had the good fortune to teach in CSD #1 last year instead of elsewhere. You now have 7 years of teaching experience (this is your 8th year of teaching). However, because of your loyalty, you are still being paid for 6 years. In effect, the District has taken away one of your years of experience! Oh, they recognize it...SOMEWHERE...maybe in your personnel file. You WOULD get paid for it IF YOU LEFT CAIRO TODAY AND WENT SOMEWHERE ELSE TO TEACH! BUT...do not expect to see it in your paycheck on Friday! But, then, you already noticed that! And we heard you...loud and clear! We are trying to remedy that...

MEETINGS R US!

Section 4.16 was also tabled until the next session...which is now scheduled for Saturday, March 16th. (By the way...Our Saturday, March 9th, session fell through due to other commitments by members of the Board team.)

Incidentally, the federal mediator will NOT be at the March 16th session as previously advertised. He will join us for a March 19th session...to begin at 5:30 p.m....following a 2:30 p.m. session devoted to bargaining the RIFs proposed by the superintendent at the Board's March 6th meeting.

The Board has also announced a special school board meeting for March 14th at 5:00 p.m. This meeting further concerns the RIF question and is in preparation of their March 21st regular meeting...the meeting when they expect to make a final decision on both certified and noncertified employees.

And did I mention that the CAT leadership team will join with the District leadership team for a training session sponsored by the state on March 20th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. This meeting is a planned follow-up to the "intervention" that we had on January 18th and 19th.

ON A SAD NOTE...

Gary Jones, Secretary-Treasurer of the IEA, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 10th. Well-liked and admired by his colleagues, Gary, along with President Anne Davis and Vice President Ken Swanson, provided the IEA with a strong, committed leadership. Gary's contributions to the organization...and his sense of humor...will be missed.