CAT Tracks for May 14, 2002 MAY 13...DAY 13

STRIKE ENDS...LOCKOUT BEGINS

On a day that should have seen students and teachers back in school, teachers were forced to resume picketing "as usual". On Friday, the Board of Education refused to allow teachers to accept the Board's own economic offer for a one-year agreement...AND...took the offer off the table. The Board also refused to consider a new economic proposal submitted by the CAT...an economic proposal that was reduced by 3% from what was rejected last Wednesday. What did the Board propose? They resubmitted the same three-year proposal that was turned down by the CAT on Wednesday...the same day the Board said that they "were done"..."had nothing more to offer."

So...not only is the Board refusing to allow the teachers back in the building...on the Board's previously proposed (now withdrawn) terms...the Board refuses to negotiate! It demands that the CAT accept an offer already rejected...or else!

What about the children? The Board claimed to be so concerned...where is that concern now? The schools could have...should have...been open today. But...the Board said "No!"

In their press releases, the Board keeps saying that the teachers are asking for more money...that is a lie! The teachers said on Friday...we will take the money you offered.

What is the Cairo Board of Education up to...why are they keeping the schools closed? Those are good questions! All affected parties...parents, taxpayers, residents, employees...and yes, the children...deserve answers. Start asking Board members today! The teachers are willing to go back to work tomorrow for the money that the Board offered for this year. Then...with the children out of harm's way...the two parties can return to the table this summer and resolve the remaining differences. That is the only fair thing to do!

So...contact Board members. Contact parents and members of the community and have them contact Board members. If Board members won't listen, tell them that you plan on being at Thursday's Board meeting (5 p.m.)...to ask them to explain their position to the people who elected them to "serve the district"...NOT to destroy it.

It is time to turn up the heat on elected officials...the Board of Education members...a group that has demonstrated arrogance and contempt towards both public and employees.

Remember, Steve gave you a homework assignment today...one "student" turned hers in as soon as the meeting was over. We plan to update our "gradebook" each day. Let's make sure that we make 100% on this activity! (We did have some absenteeism today due to the flooding in the area. As you know "students" it is your responsibility to find out what you have missed and see that the assignment is completed and turned in on time! Even if your admit is "excused", you still must complete your assignment by noon Thursday.)

WELCOME VISITORS!

Newly elected IEA Secretary-Treasurer, Martha Bowman was a guest and speaker at Monday's meeting. (Martha is our neighbor from the deep south...serving as Region 1 Chair...Region 1 consists of the school districts on the "other side" of Interstate 57...including Meridian, etc.) Martha's remarks were very timely as the strike entered a new week and a new phase...where the Board refuses to negotiate and instead tries to foment dissension among the ranks. Martha emphasized the importance of remaining united and strong...to resist pressures directed at dividing the membership. She reminded one and all that we hold our destiny in our hands...that together, we can and will win this fight.

Incidentally, Martha did as her fellow IEA officers (Anne and Ken) and made a personal donation of money to the cause. Thank you, Martha!

In addition to Martha, our former IEA Region 2 UniServ Director, Larry Bell, made a return visit to headquarters on Monday. As a "fellow dinosaur", Larry recounted CAT's labor history, going back to the successful fight for recognition in 1978. Larry was personally involved in three of Cairo's (now) five strikes. With a little urging, Larry gave the "abridged version" of the "One More Day" story that I used in CAT Tracks at the beginning of this strike. For those of you who were not there...the "moral" of the story is that when members of the union are asked by management: "How long do you think you can hold out?"...the correct answer is "One more day!" And...each new day the answer is the same..."One more day...One more day than you can!" That is a story worth remembering as we keep getting "shoveled on" by the Board of Education.

ENTERTAINMENT

The "theater was dark" Monday - there were no performances. It is rumored that weather conditions hampered practice sessions. However, our headliners have promised two performances for tomorrow. Do I hear any "opening acts" warming up?

MASS PICKETING

Monday, the feeling, among many, was that we should focus our attention on the District central office...a response to the lockout! We will play that by ear...although those that participated yesterday seemed to "enjoy" the experience. It does get a little boring at Emerson, Bennett, and CJHS! The high school is "where it's at", due to its location on the highway. On Tuesday, let's do the same as Monday...picket your own building in the morning, come to the "noon" meeting at 11 a.m., and then report to Garrison. Know any good chants???

C Ya!