Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter
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CAT Tracks for March 17, 1998
Spring Retreat, Spring Break & Negotiations |
Last week you received information and registration forms for the Region 2
Spring Retreat to be held on Saturday, March 28th at the Touch of Nature
Center at Giant City State Park. The deadline for registration is fast
approaching. You need to let me know today or tomorrow so that I can make
reservations with our Marion office. Again, I think this would be a pleasant/fun
experience for any and all members of CAT--
AND CAT WILL REIMBURSE THE
REGISTRATION FEE
for all who attend! Hey,
FREE
food and
FUN
times!
What are you waiting for?!
So . . . if you are interested in attending the 1998 Region 2 Spring Retreat,
contact Ron Newell TODAY OR TOMORROW! If you have misplaced your
registration form--NO PROBLEMO--I have extras.
Speaking of Spring . . .Several members have recently inquired as to the status of
Spring Break . . . As in "I've already made reservations, nonrefundable deposits,
etc." Do NOT worry! Spring Break is guaranteed by the Contractual
Agreement--even though it expired on August 14, 1997. During negotiations,
THE BOARD MUST MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO
. The only way that it can be
changed is by mutual agreement--voted on by the membership of both parties.
And speaking of negotiations . . . The mediation session is definitely scheduled
for March 26, 1998.
We have also been contacted by our IEA attorney. The bargaining team has kept
her informed of the Board's reluctance to negotiate AND its "lack of authority"
once we drag them to the table. Our attorney immediately recognized that these
were the same tactics for which the Illinois Labor Board found the District
GUILTY OF UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES
--as WE told the Board at the table
and told you in the last CAT Tracks. She is coming to Cairo to meet with us.
We have also sent a letter to the Superintendent/Board requesting the
opportunity to meet with them on Wednesday, March 18, during the closed
session of their regular Board meeting. We reminded them that the purpose of
calling in a mediator was to get us to talk to each other--to negotiate with each
other.
WHY NOT NOW
? We sent the letter on Thursday, March 12th. WE
HAVE
NOT
RECEIVED A RESPONSE AS OF TODAY!
In short, contact Ron Newell about Spring Retreat, do not worry about Spring
Break, and stay tuned for negotiations!