Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for January 20, 2009 NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

Well, we put in our time for the cause...began at 6 p.m. and called it a night at 10:30 p.m.

Don't have a lot to show for the effort, but there was progress.

One big hurdle was cleared when the parties signed off on Section 3.4 - Voluntary Transfer. This issue was looming large...as a possible strike issue. As it is, you may not be thrilled, as your team was forced to make several concessions in order to salvage the "guts" of the language.

The parties have agreed upon major provisions that would go into the $300 per year "bonus". Details still need to be worked out and the language reviewed by folks familiar with the legalities of the 6% retirement cap. But...we have made definite progress. Every effort will be made by your CAT team to insure that you get as much of the bonus as legally possible...hopefully, 100%!

We "danced" around another item...a "Memorandum of Agreement" to replace the one attached to the 2005-08 Contract. A couple of items had been deleted...became obsolete or were to be moved into the new Contract. A few items were to be "rolled over". The BOE has objected to a couple of items and added a couple of their own. There was danger that this could be a new sticking point (and still may), but discussions past the 10 p.m. hour indicated that a solution might be possible.

The two parties are still at odds...without much movement...in the area of how to treat our new "part-time employees". Both sides have taken a position...and have basically presented that same position in writing...twice. CAT gave its version again tonight. There was no response from the BOE.

And, lastly...MONEY.

No monetary proposals were exchanged tonight. After last week's "underwhelming" offer by the BOE, CAT was hesitant as to how to proceed. We roughed out a proposal and discussed it. The question was: Do you make an insulting offer back (which can be very counter-productive), do you make a legitimate offer (hoping they will get serious but placing you at a disadvantage if they come back with another insulting offer), or do you "sleep on it some more". Since we stayed busy working on language until after 10 p.m., your CAT Team chose to hold any new monetary offer until probably next week's scheduled session. Start off fresh!

In between sessions, the parties have expressed the possibility of exchanging further proposals on the remaining language items...hopefully clearing the table, in preparation for a serious head-to-head about money.

(CAT has provided the BOE Team with the information it shared with you over the past week concerning the District's financial status compared with surrounding school districts...including Shawnee Community College. Hopefully, this publication of public documents will prod the BOE and the FOP to stop the laments and make a reasonable offer that CATs can live with while preserving the District's treasure chest.)

And, speaking of next week...

The next session is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27th. Hopefully, the mediator will be present!

Footnote: Since the original posting of this entry, Federal Mediator Ben Jeffries HAS CONFIRMED his intent to be present for the January 27th negotiations session.