Cairo Association of Teachers CATTRACKS FOR 11-9-94

IMPORTANT MEETING--NOVEMBER 15

Let me start off by answering a frequent question: “Are we going to school on November 15th?” YES!

There are several reasons for this. Your bargaining team is remaining optimistic despite constant delays and the disturbing “Open Letter” to District employees. We have been trying to get these issues settled since early August and we will give another 100% effort to resolve our differences with the Board of Education at the mediation session on Monday night. Hopefully we will have a tentative agreement to present to you for ratification at the November 15th meeting.

A second reason–from a more negative viewpoint–is that we promised you at the last general meeting that we would have another meeting before taking action on your authorization to strike. We always keep our word! If we are not successful in mediation, we will give you a full accounting of the meeting and discuss our options.

There was a third reason . . . it escapes me now . . . oh, yeah, it’s pay day.

Don’t let my feeble attempt at humor fool you. Your bargaining team is very serious about this process and the mediation session scheduled for Monday night. We met for almost 3 hours after school this past Monday in preparation. We are planning for all eventualities next week.

What can you do? You have already given your bargaining team what we needed going into mediation–your overwhelming support. We intend to bargain from this position of strength. In the meantime–support each other! We went through the turmoil of the Spring “RIFing”, the Summer of uncertainty, and now face the possibility of a work stoppage. We need to be strong and continue to offer encouragement to our colleagues. The strength of a union is numbers–and togetherness. Don’t let anyone feel isolated in this process. Reach out to each other.

It is natural to be nervous as we approach the coming week. However, most of us have been through this before. We have been very successful when we have stood together for what we knew was right. This time is no different.

Whichever way negotiations go, the Tuesday, November 15th, meeting is extremely important. Please plan on being there. We need your opinion and your vote–on ratification or our future course of action.