Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for November 14, 2008 NOT A HAPPY CAT

A "funny thing" happened as CAT representatives were leaving the Board Room after the adjournment of last night's regular BOE meeting...

Well, definitely NOT a "funny, ha ha" moment.

As reported yesterday, the next negotiations session was scheduled for November 24th...a session that was scheduled on October 28th...and was reaffirmed at Wednesday night's negotiations session. Lending a certain gravitas to the November 24th session is that the federal mediator had confirmed his attendance at the meeting, after having to cancel out on the October 28th session.

With several language items having been TA'd, other items exchanged and under consideration, an economic counterproposal (to CAT's August 19th proposal) promised for the 24th meeting, AND the promised presence of the federal mediator...a "perfect storm" seemed to be building for real progress...possibly a tentative agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, three days prior to Thanksgiving.

Well, the "perfect storm" disappeared last night...a fizzle exceeding those promised snow storms that were supposed to shut down school for a week but somehow didn't materialize!

CAT representatives were told last night that the members of the BOE Bargaining Team had previous commitments that would prevent them from attending the session scheduled for November 24th. The question to us..."Had we heard?"

Well...in a word..."NO!"

Oh, hell, uh, well...

CAT understands prior commitments...we passed on one of two "extra sessions" offered by the BOE Team in November, after scheduling the 12th and 24th sessions. CAT has acquiesced in a seres of BOE cancellations in August...cancellations that eventually led to the joint request for mediation.

However, this mysterious, sudden, overnight cancellation...strange.

Unfortunately, ain't a thing we can do about it. The BOE indicated that the first week in December was open on their calendar. Whether THAT offer will match the calendar of the federal mediator is unknown at this time.

So...when is the next session?

Stay tuned! As soon as we are notified, we will let you know...