Since CAT has been accused of "editorializing, skewing, and omitting", a few disclaimers are in order:

• Normally would NOT reproduce letters and e-mails. There was NO CONFIDENTIALITY involved, but just feel it's kind of "tacky". However, when someone charges you with "skewing and omitting"...seeing is believing.
• The letters and e-mails below were scanned to avoid accusations of changing the wording.
• Did use a photo editing program to erase e-mail addresses and telephone numbers...did NOT change any wording. My skills "ain't" that good.
• Deleted the CAT heading on President O'Shea's July 24th letter in order to reduce it to one page.

Thou Shalt go to Shawnee Community College on August 13th for the first Cairo Teachers Institute.

So was the decision from on high last night...

Let me back up a bit for those of you who have been out of touch this summer and have missed the first power struggle in what promises to be a long year.

On the afternoon of July 3rd, new CAT President De De O'Shea was "invited" by newly hired CSD #1 Superintendent Leotis Swopes to say a few words at the first Cairo Teachers Institute...that would be held at Shawnee Community College. (This invitation was made by a telephone call from the Superintendent's secretary. When President O'Shea asked to speak to Superintendent Swopes, she was told that he was unavailable.) Despite several face-to-face opportunities, President O'Shea was NOT asked her opinion of moving the location of the first Institute...THAT was presented as a "given". President O'Shea sought feedback from a few local CATs (which was uniformly negative) and conveyed that concern to Superintendent Swopes by e-mail on July 4th.

Superintendent Swopes replied to President O'Shea by e-mail on July 9th...clearly indicating that the decision to go to SCC "was a done deal" - although he "recanted" after a face-to-face "discussion" of the issue which took place on July 10th during a contract negotiations session. (During this session, Superintendent Swopes' defense of this unilateral change in working conditions - which must be bargained under Illinois Labor Law - was that it was to be an attention grabber...to signal "a fresh start" to employees...to jolt employees out of their failing ways.

Okay, before anyone strokes out here...

That last phrase..."to jolt employees out of their failing ways" is mine as I "editorialize, skew, omit" what we heard at the table. (Neither side tape records negotiations sessions, so there is no "proof" of this conversation. Actually, I do NOT remember the exact words by Superintendent Swopes, but I do remember that he backed up his (paraphrased) remarks with evidence...failing test scores.)

As the smoke was settling during the July 10th session, Superintendent Swopes stated that our reaction was premature...that the entire matter was in the "planning stages". In retrospect, (more editorializing on my part...but supported by "evidence"...a steadfast commitment by Superintendent Swopes to locate the Institute at SCC...a position that has NOT wavered)...the "planning stages" comment bought time...successfully closed discussion for the evening...allowed their exit, stage left!

Therefore, CAT waited for further word...and waited...and waited.

Nothing.

CAT expected to hear official word on July 17th, when the topic appeared as an agenda item for the Regular BOE Meeting. However, Superintendent Swopes was on vacation (which was certainly "a fresh start"...that's never happened before! His absence was later explained through the grapevine as a previously scheduled trip prior to signing his multi-year contract as Cairo Superintendent. Even I can understand pre-purchased tickets, so we could cut him some slack there.) Unfortunately, in Superintendent Swopes' absence, the agenda item was skipped...so, no official word.

Location, location, location???

Finally, on July 24th, CAT President O'Shea sent a letter to Superintendent Swopes indicating that the start of the school year was fast approaching...had any more thought been given to the location of the Institute. On behalf of CAT, President O'Shea indicated that the Association still objected to the unilateral change in working conditions and that, IF the Superintendent was still intent on SCC as a location, that CAT demanded to bargain BOTH the decision to relocate AND the impact of the decision...the increased mileage and the increase time commitment (exceeding the 7 and 1/2 hour limit on the work day.)

Did CAT get an answer to its request?

YES...by way of The Cairo Citizen (previously posted on CAT Tracks!) THAT is how the exclusive bargaining agent for the certified employees of Cairo School District Number One learned that the "planning stages" had become official.

Therefore, on July 31st CAT President O'Shea sent an official demand to bargain to Superintendent Swopes...the decision (which obviously had now been made official in direct defiance of CAT's demand to bargain same) and the impact.

Did not hear a word in response to our letter, but then, again, the Superintendent was out of town. In his absence, CAT did try to discuss the matter with the BOE's negotiating team...HEY, we wanted to talk to SOMEBODY!!! For the second time, however, members of the BOE team indicated that they didn't know anymore than we did...that they were getting their information in the same manner as us...or from us!

Finally, at approximately 4 p.m. on August 4th, CAT President O'Shea received an e-mail from Superintendent Swopes indicating clearly that the Institute WOULD be held at SCC. As an apparent "concession" to CAT's demand to bargain the impact of his unilateral decision to move the location of the institute, Superintendent Swopes indicated that a bus would be provided for those employees who had concerns about driving their personal vehicles to the conference. Oh, and by the way, when employees reached the Institute, they would SIGN IN with their respective principal. (Hmmmm, guess in the "strange location" the principals might not be able to recognize or find their hirelings. THAT actually sounds like another reason NOT to go to SCC...never had to sign in to a teachers' institute before...in fact, the principals would INTRODUCE the new employees! Oh, well..."a fresh start".)

Approximately one hour later, CAT President O'Shea received a second e-mail from Superintendent Swopes...a direct response to CAT's demand to bargain the unilateral change in working conditions. Short and sweet (?)..."Ok! You want to set a date???" Well, hell...after telling CAT at 4 p.m. THIS IS THE WAY IT WILL BE, you "grant an audience" to discuss what thou hath ordained?!

Hey...we're humble CATs. We took him up on his offer...what's a lowly bunch of CATs to do?

So, last night we interrupted Contract negotiations to "complain" (won't use the term bargain or negotiate; definitely NOT appropriate). Same old, same old, with Superintendent Swopes professing no ill will toward CAT or its members. He was just acting in accordance with the way things were done where he came from. (Here we go again...new superintendent...imposing his ways on the backward locals.)

Actually, CAT President O'Shea made a very legitimate point when she stated that CAT might well have been amenable to "new ideas" if CAT's input had been solicited during the month that this decision was allegedly in the "planning stages". However, when a new Superintendent DICTATES a unilateral change in working conditions, ignores the Association's rightful, lawful demand for input, and makes disparaging remarks about CATs efforts...well, it sets the stage for confrontation.

The Board negotiating team then asked to caucus. After 30 minutes, they returned to the room and delivered their verdict. (Again, no tape recorder, so I will paraphrase what was said...trying not to editorialize, skew, or omit.) Although claiming to understand our concerns, the Board team stated that they had hired Superintendent Swopes to "run the District" (to end the micro-managing by BOE members that had gone on in the past). Therefore, they were supporting his decision to hold the first Institute at SCC and would charter an air-conditioned bus for transportation should employees desire and sign up.

The BOE team asked if CAT was satisfied with that offer...that resolution. We indicated clearly...NO. End of discussion...end of "bargaining".

So, dear CATs...THAT is where we find ourselves today!

Superintendent Swopes created a molehill by making his arbitrary decision without first asking about past practice or seeking input from four unions. Superintendent Swopes turned his molehill into a mountain by defiantly rejecting CAT's questions and ignoring CAT's demands to bargain until the week before school is scheduled to start...an hour after presenting a fait accompli.

Knowing the futility of our efforts at the table, I indicated to Superintendent Swopes last night that he might "win the battle"...he might be able to force everyone to travel to SCC on August 13th...whatever he was trying to prove with that effort. BUT...he would "lose the war"...alienating a large number of employees...from day one!

Proclaiming "a fresh start", Superintendent Swopes has heavy-handedly botched his first effort.

Superintendent Swopes (determinedly hanging on to the SCC Institute) pledged last night to do things differently in the future...to set up a mechanism for improved communications with CAT. Will that happen? More importantly, will it be more than a sham? Or is it simply another attempt to put out the fire and make another exit, stage left?

CAT has heard such assurances time and time again...from a succession of Superintendents. Unfortunately, only two kept their word. Will Superintendent Swopes be the third, or will he be "Terminator VI"?

Time will tell...

Ooh, ooh, ooh!

Forgot the best part!!

In Superintendent Swopes' e-mail of August 4th...deigning to grant the concession of a bus!!!

Talk about "ass-u-me"...

For some reason, I asked Superintendent Swopes about the bus..."What kind of bus is it?" I had already "assumed" that some benefactor was going to arrange for a chartered bus to transport employees to Shawnee College. So, did my mouth drop open when Superintendent Swopes matter-of-factly responded that the bus in question would be a school bus.

A YELLOW SCHOOL BUS...NO AIR CONDITIONING...MIDDLE OF AUGUST???

What was he thinking???

Some kind of a sequel to a play/movie...CATs in a Hot Tin Bus!!!

Folks, contrary to what Superintendent Swopes implied by his "editorializing, slanting, omitting" charges...I am not creative enough to make this kind of stuff up!