CAT Tracks for June 1, 2002 CHECK YOUR CHECK!

They're at it again...took out double federal taxes on at least four CATs who got lump sum payments. Also docked a teacher's pay who had an unused personal day.

After the 4th call, I sent a letter to Superintendent Isom calling for a review of the paychecks of all employees who got lump sum payments or who were docked a day's pay. BUT...don't rely on them...check your check!

Incidentally, on behalf of the Association, I sent a letter to Superintendent Isom requesting a 3rd personal day for all employees who have not already requested and received same. That would cover the "docked sick day" and require reimbursement of money to teachers who have been docked a day's pay...minus $60 "if, in fact, a substitute teacher" was used.

In other words...two can play this game. But...the thing that they don't realize...or do and don't care...is that this just poisons the atmosphere for the eventual resolution of these issues.

PAYCHECK ERRORS:

May 31, 2002

Robert J. Isom, Superintendent
Cairo School District Number One
303-34th Street
Cairo, IL 62914

Dr. Isom:

Due to the flurry of complaints concerning the withholding of federal taxes and the unannounced, unilateral docking of a day's pay from some bargaining unit members who had supposedly exhausted their sick leave, I hereby request that a review be made TODAY of the paychecks of ALL bargaining unit members who either received lump sum payments or were docked a day's pay to see if errors have been made, and if so that they be immediately corrected as per Section 4.15 of the CBA - i.e. by the close of business on Monday, June 3, 2002.

If this is not done, then the Association shall file a class action grievance over this failure of the District to comply with the terms of the CBA AND will refer said matter to IEA legal counsel as further evidence of retaliation against bargaining unit members for their participation in a legally protected activity.

I might add that any employee who was "surprised" with a dock day should be afforded the opportunity of receiving a donated sick day from another employee since that is the normal practice and provided under Section 5.8 of the CBA.

Your prompt attention to this matter would be appreciated.

Sincerely,

Ron Newell, President
Cairo Association of Teachers

cc: Jim Tammen, IEA UniServ Director
Wanda Van Pelt, IEA Associate General Counsel

SICK DAYS/DOCK DAYS:

May 31, 2002

Robert J. Isom, Superintendent
Cairo School District Number One
303-34th Street
Cairo, IL 62914

Dr. Isom:

Upon further review…

Under Section 5.2 (Personal Leave), "the superintendent shall grant one (1) additional day of personal leave to any employee who so requests. The employee shall reimburse the District at the prevailing rate for a substitute teacher-if, in fact, a substitute teacher is used."

Since the District chose unilaterally, without notice to the Association or its members, to dock bargaining unit members a "sick day" due to their participation in a legal activity without bargaining same with the Association, the Association, on behalf of its members, hereby requests "one (1) additional day of personal leave" for ALL bargaining unit members who have not already applied for and received same.

This means that the District should immediately reimburse all employees their sick day (with the aforementioned exception of bargaining unit members who have already applied for and received a third personal day). Any bargaining unit member who was docked a day's pay should be reimbursed said amount, minus $60 - "if, in fact, a substitute teacher" was used.

I will reassert (from my previous letter) that any employee who was "surprised" with a dock day should be afforded the opportunity of receiving a donated sick day from another employee since that is the normal practice and provided under Section 5.8 of the CBA.

Your prompt attention to this matter would be appreciated.

Sincerely,

Ron Newell, President
Cairo Association of Teachers

cc: Jim Tammen, IEA UniServ Director
Wanda Van Pelt, IEA Associate General Counsel