Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for November 13, 2008 NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

Okay...you are a curious bunch of CATs. You've heard that we had two bargaining sessions this week...you wanna know, whassup?

Still bargaining...

Another four items were "TA'd" and there are proposals being considered on the outstanding items.

As reported in the past, it's counterproductive to get into details...that may or may not happen...raising expectations or raising fears that may never come to pass. So...trust us...we are doing the best we can do...and YOU will have the final say. YOU must ratify whatever the parties "sign off" on...

Unfortunately, there have been some "bumps in the road"...some "ups and downs". However, that is not at all unusual in the bargaining process. The parties simply have to put aside personal feelings and focus..."keep your eyes on the prize", a new collective bargaining agreement.

Several hours of bargaining time have been wasted addressing the actions of the Superintendent...the divisive nature of his unscheduled remarks at the Halloween SIP day...his premature implementation of new (unratified) contract language...his improper "extension" of said language to areas not negotiated...and his continued refusal to implement existing contract provisions that are to the advantage of CAT members.

NEVER have we had these kinds of "housekeeping problems" in the past. They continue to disrupt and delay negotiations.

However, we shall push forward...

Unfortunately, there will be another "pause" in negotiations...a "scheduled pause".

As you may have noticed, the Cairo Board of Education rescheduled its regular monthly meeting...it is tonight. The meeting was supposed to be NEXT Thursday. However, November is the month when Illinois school board members and superintendents have their annual meeting in Chicago. Therefore, our BOE members and Superintendent have a previous commitment for next week. (Uh, oh, yeah, that's right...next week is when the Superintendent will "blow off" the Illinois annual meeting in his "home town" to attend the Black Educators' Conference in Atlanta. Since one of the "issues" raised last night was the Superintendent's new edict that workshop attendees SHALL make a presentation upon their return...wonder when HE will make his report on what he learned in Georgia that will raise achievement in Cairo School District Number One? Just wondering...)

So...no negotiations next week. However, in the "good news" category...negotiations WILL RESUME bright and early the next week...Monday evening, November 24th. AND...the mediator WILL be present! (He has not attended since October 1st...the night before the "stuff" hit the fan in Meridian.)

Since the BOE Team has promised to have a financial counterproposal (to CAT's offer of August 19th) ready for that meeting, all cards will finally be on the table.

With the mediator "in da house"...may serious negotiations begin!