CAT Tracks for April 16, 2002 NEGOTIATIONS MOVED TO APRIL 17th

It's official...the negotiations session scheduled for April 15th has been moved to April 17th at the request of the federal mediator. Rick Tygett spent last week in Effingham mediating a possible plant closing involving over 1000 workers. He expected to be done, but the union requested an extention in order for their actuaries to compile and present further data concerning an insurance proposal...something with which we can definitely relate. Not having much choice...and knowing that the closing of a plant and the resultant loss of jobs was more crucial than our dispute, the Association readily agreed to the change. Unfortunately, it took longer for the Board team to commit...thus the delay in notifying our team...and YOU!

As soon as negotiations are completed Wednesday night, we will begin working on the next edition of CAT Tracks and distribute a hard copy on Thursday...Stay Tuned!

And...REMEMBER...for the "connected"...Breaking news from CNN (CAT News Network...groan!) is available 24/7 at:

However, since you are anxious for news...

Several members of the Association (bargaining team & "rank-and file") met with IEA personnel - the Area Coordinator, UniServ Director, and Region Chair - at Cairo High School on Thursday afternoon. The purpose of the meeting was to conduct a "crisis assessment" - to determine if CAT was ready for any and all eventualities. Checklists were reviewed and strategies were discussed. Although there is always more work to be done, the general consensus of the "consultants" was that the CAT was "on target" in its efforts to accomplish the goals of its membership.

The IEA representatives assured the CAT that the resources of the IEA were at our complete disposal. (Anne Davis, President of the IEA, has already indicated that she is more than willing to come to Cairo to "rally the troops" if needed.) They wished us well for Monday's ( now Wednesday's) negotiations session and urged us to contact them if we needed ANY assistance.

Let's hope that the Board team comes to the table Wednesday evening with an open mind...with a desire to negotiate a new contract...not to do further damage to a District that has seen waaaaay too much turmoil in recent years. BECAUSE...it takes two to negotiate!

Hopefully, when we give IEA a call on Thursday...it will be to report SUCCESS!