CAT Press Release May 11, 2002

CAT NEWS
Cairo Association of Teachers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cairo, IL - May 11, 2002 Hopes for an end to the teachers' strike, which has idled the District's 900 students since April 25th, were dashed yesterday when the Cairo Board of Education rejected its own contract proposal.

"This should prove to one and all what the problem is in CSD #1" said Ron Newell, President of the Cairo Association of Teachers. Newell went on to add that "You have a new Board of Education that is on some kind of a power trip…ego trip." By a 2 to 1 margin, taxpayers in mid-March rejected the new Board's effort to raise taxes to build a "state of the art" elementary building. Newell said that "Apparently, the Board is now taking its frustration and anger out on employees." The District has four unions…all are working without a contract!

On Friday afternoon, the CAT hand delivered a proposal designed to end the 12-day strike and put the children back in school on Monday morning. The CAT offered to accept the Board's last offer for a one-year agreement. The Board refused, notifying the Association that it was now withdrawing its offer!

"We listened to the community," said Newell. "We decided to accept the Board's offer for this year in order allow students to complete their education. Both parties could then return to the bargaining table during the summer break and resolve the issues that divide us." The Board said "NO!"

"This is all about union-busting," said Newell. Added Newell, "How else can you explain the Board's refusal to accept its own offer and allow students and teachers go back to school?"

New trifold flyers were being distributed Friday afternoon at the District central administrative offices…flyers which contain out-right lies about pay raises and make personal attacks on the character of the District's teachers.