CAT Tracks for May 16, 2002 A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY...

SECOND AGREEMENT IN TWO DAYS

It's official...the Cairo Board of Education reached tentative agreement with the custodial union last night...for the same deal as the secretaries. Surprise, surprise, surprise!

Aides are scheduled to meet on May 21st...will most likely get the same deal...5%, 4%, and 4%.

But when CAT offered to end the strike and put kids back in school on Monday, May 13th, the Board rejected...without consideration...our 3-year proposal of "their first year", 5.25% the 2nd year, and 2.25% the 3rd year. Let's see...CAT's 2nd and 3rd year offer (to re-open schools immediately for students)...5.25% + 2.25% = 7.5%...The Board's 2nd and 3rd year offer to other union groups (to continue to report to empty buildings)...4% + 4% = 8%. Hmmmmmm...well, we know from previous experiences that they "don't do math".

Again, this proves...BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT...that the Board of Education is simply trying "to put the screws" to the CAT...punish us...break us! How else do you explain the Board's trying to force the CAT to accept a worse deal than they freely give to other unions?

However, the Board will fail in its efforts...their blatant lies and arrogant ways have made the CAT stronger and more united than ever. They resented "our power" before...well, from what your bargaining team heard yesterday while walking the line...the Board of Education now has one big, bad MF (Mad Feline) on its hands. Grrrrrrrrrrrr...

And the kids...well, excuse me, but the Board of Education doesn't give a d_mn about the kids...otherwise THEY would have accepted THEIR offer last Friday. Oh, but no...the Board of Education chose to lock out teachers...and students.

Hey, somebody stop me...I may already owe a couple of dollars to our resident censor!

AND THE BEAT GOES ON

CATs hit the streets once again drumming up attendees for Thursday night's regular meeting of the Cairo Board of Education (5 p.m. at Garrison). The message is clear: "Want to end the strike...attend the Board meeting...ask questions...demand answers!" The CAT doesn't ask which "side" a person is on...there is only one side...students!

The CAT has nothing to hide...is willing to negotiate immediately...and open schools Friday morning.

P.S.

The CAT has received unofficial reports that the Board of Education has requested police presence at Thursday's board meeting. Geez...these are the same people that put the word out in the media that parents feared for the children's safety if they tried to cross picket lines. Again...it clearly shows with what esteem they hold their professional staff. But, hey, WE like you! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

RETRACTION: The CAT repeats its earlier apology to the leadership of the Teachers' Assistant's union for the incorrect story which appeared in yesterday's edition of CAT Tracks. The meeting held on Tuesday morning was for parent liaisons...not for discussing contract proposals.

8 A.M. - 11 A.M. - 5 P.M.