Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter
Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter
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CAT Tracks for April 24, 2002
"ONE MORE DAY" |
GRADEBOOKS AND KEYS
The Board has trouble responding to our bargaining demands, but they did not waste any time responding to our "secure your personal belongings" note. Gradebooks and keys are District property...if they ask for them...provide them. You will NOT need them! (I never have figured out the "key thing"...their problem is NOT keeping us out...it's getting us to come back. Oh, well.) BUT...DO remember to take your personal belongings with you today when you leave the building, because WE WILL NOT RETURN until a settlement is reached.
THURSDAY MORNING
On Thursday morning, your "occupation" goes from educator to union activist. Instead of reporting to your building to work, you will report to your building to picket...in fact, show up early. The first day is when we really go public with our message...and the media will be there to "capture the moment". Picket captains will instruct you on the "do's and don'ts". (And, you never know who will be watching...judging. As an example, in 1994, our previous superintendent stopped prior to entering Garrison and remarked to the picketers there "how nice everyone looked". Whatever!) From there, you will be informed of the schedule for the remainder of the day.
"ONE MORE DAY"
Some of you...Steve Kohn mentioned it the other day...remember our former UniServ Director, Larry Bell. Larry was of the old school and had been involved in many different strikes...and had the "war stories" to prove it. With the onset of "old-timers", I won't even pretend to remember the story, but the gist of it was to focus on the task at hand.
Striking is not something that you do on a lark...it is not "fun". It is hard work...an expenditure of energy that would best be directed towards educational pursuits. However, sometimes you are given no choice. Reason and logic do not always prevail...it falls on deaf ears. That is where we find ourselves at this point in time. You told your bargaining team on Monday...that "enough is enough"...it was time to stand up for what was right.
So...as we approach the task ahead of us...do not concern yourselves with all of the possible scenarios...all the "what if's"...because the Board will always come up with one that you hadn't thought of...something totally "off-the-wall".
When the initial adrenalin rush subsides, and the day draws to an end...we will ask you to do just one thing for us...for you and your colleagues. It won't be some impossible task...it will be something very basic and "doable"...just give us "ONE MORE DAY". With that attitude and that commitment...we cannot fail!
See you bright and early Thursday morning!
As always...but, especially during the strike...if you have internet access, check our website 24/7 for late-breaking news AND share that information with your "unconnected" colleagues!
PS: Tuesday, April 23rd, 6:15 p.m. - Just caught the local news on WSIL-TV (Sorry, Kim!)...They reported that "Superintendent Isom stated that the Board would meet once more before Thursday"...hopefully with us! Stay tuned.
