Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for October 2, 2008 NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

Snail's pace...

Four hours...no tentative agreements.

The good news is that talks are still amicable and no insurmountable hurdles appeared. The bad news is that CAT STILL has NOT receive a response to its monetary proposal made on August 19th!!! Therefore, we still do NOT know how far apart the parties may be on the one item that looms as a significant hurdle.

The mediator WAS present, along with the District's attorney for negotiations (Shane Jones) and IEA representative Larry Bell. The parties began the session at the table together and agreed on the outstanding issues. The parties then adjourned to separate areas - the BOE team in the Superintendent's office; CAT in the BOE room. Due to the long hiatus, much time was spent locating, rewriting, and presenting previous proposals.

The REALLY frustrating news is that the next session with the mediator is not scheduled until October 28th.

However, the mediator held out hope that the parties might continue to work toward a resolution of outstanding issues in the interim. THAT possibility and the details of such an exchange are still to be determined. The more that could be resolved prior to October 28th would increase the likelihood that the BOE would be inclined to make its monetary proposal. Then, and only then, will the two teams be able to get down to the "nitty gritty".

CAT will continue to keep you apprised on any major developments...

By the way, if it's any consolation...our friends to the north (Meridian) are also in mediation and their next session is scheduled for October 29th. As they say...misery loves company!

And, speaking of which...REMINDER...the joint Cairo-Meridian BOE meeting is still on for tonight at 6 p.m., meeting to be held at the Meridian Elementary building.