CAT Tracks for October 7, 2003 CONTEMPT OF CAT

Haven't posted a story for a while...been distracted by an "old friend of yours" - PAYCHECK ERRORS!

According to past practice, Momma CAT is supposed to receive her share of membership dues on the first pay period of the new school year - namely, September 15th. Well, many days passed...no check. So, being of a naturally curious nature, I wrote a letter to the superintendent inquiring of the check. Well, wouldn't you just know it...the check arrived in the U.S. mail the same day that the letter was sent in school mail.

BUT...lo and behold...upon opening the envelope to prepare a bank deposit, I discovered that the membership dues had been made fully payable to the IEA...no $$$ for CATs!

(I know what you are thinking..."So, what's new? Been there, done that...got the anti-acid and Excedrin to prove it! But...wouldn't you think that just once...after YEARS of practice...they could get this right. I mean, this gets soooooooooooooo old. Every paycheck is an adventure!)

Anyway...wrote and faxed a letter to the superintendent - a letter that was in his office at the beginning of the business day on Monday, September 29th. In the letter, I pointed out that (because of the long delay in getting the dues check) the filing of a grievance was moot. (There was a note in the dues check envelope recognizing that an error had been made, stating that it would be corrected with the September 30th paycheck.) However, on behalf of the Association, I insisted that the payment to CAT be made ON the 30th...which would be in accordance with the 24-hour deadline for correction of paycheck errors after receipt of written notification.

Got the check on the 30th, right? Okay, no suspense there...of course not!. AND...the check did not arrive on October 1st either. (I waited an extra day prior to filing a grievance to see if they "mailed the check" on the 30th...which would NOT have complied with the 24-hour notice requirement...but, again, it's that curiosity thing!) On October 2nd, I sent a grievance to the superintendent in school mail. Finally, on October 3rd, I received the CAT dues check in the U.S. Mail.

Why do we constantly have to fight for money that has already been earned? And this was money that was deducted from YOUR check on September 15th! Why does it take 18 days to send your money to the CAT? Why does it take a letter and a grievance to elicit payment? But then, again, you've been asking similar questions for years! Why must we face each payday with uncertainty...hoping that it will not be "my turn" to fight for what has been rightfully earned?!

Remember "the good old days"...when your only concern on payday was how to spend your money...which bills to pay? Ahhhh....

PS: Mark your calendars...only 8 more days until the next great adventure!