Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter



CAT Tracks for March 23, 1998
Tentative Agreement

Bargaining teams for the Cairo Association of Teachers and the Cairo Board of Education met for approximately 4 hours on Friday night and emerged with a tentative agreement that if approved would be in effect until August 14, 2001.

Yes, you read that right! The proposed agreement is for 4 years!!!

The tentative agreement is too extensive and complex to address completely in the form of a CAT Tracks. I will, however, give you an overview.

There have been numerous language item changes and additions. Many of these are in the nature of bringing contract language up to speed with actual District practice. Several others were specifically written to address real problems experienced by our members during the past year. Others provide guarantees and improvements in fringe benefits--e.g. TRS, health insurance premiums, and term life insurance coverage.

The break-through in negotiations occurred when the Board team abandoned their previous commitment to the status quo. They made a creative proposal that addressed their concern for fiscal responsibility and our concern for a salary increase in light of the District's improved financial condition and the new money being appropriated by the State for the next 3 years. The formula that we have tentatively agreed to is a combination of guaranteed money and a "gamble" based on the legislation passed by the General Assembly last December 2nd. I say "gamble", but it is as close to a sure thing as possible. BOTH sides now agree that Cairo School District Number One will receive additional funding for the next three years, but disagree on the certainty of the amounts. The Board insisted on contract language that directly addressed that issue. Therefore, what you will see for the next 3 years is a salary schedule for a base amount--guaranteed, and "bonus" amounts to be paid in December and June for the additional money received-- AFTER it is actually received.

Your team feels that this approach is reasonable. The Cairo Association of Teachers has always asserted publicly and at the table that we have a vested interest in the fiscal stability of the District. It is NOT to our advantage to "break the District". After all, it is our jobs at stake! Your team has always taken that into consideration when we negotiated with the Board. It is why we agreed last year to accept a pay freeze .

The tentative agreement is being reduced to writing and will need to be approved by the two teams prior to a ratification vote. The CAT team completed a rough draft over the weekend and it will be delivered to Dr. Bonifield today. Hopefully, the tentative agreement will be finalized within a day or two and will be ready for ratification. The Board had already committed to a Special Meeting for Thursday night to coincide with the mediation session--which, of course, has now been canceled. However, they indicated that they would proceed with that meeting but take a ratification vote instead. We would like to do the same. So...

RATIFICATION MEETING

THURSDAY, MARCH 26TH

3:15 P.M.

CHS CAFETERIA


PLEASE make every effort to attend this meeting. Your team put in many long hours over the past 10 months. You owe them this courtesy. Come prepared to voice your opinion and vote! The majority of those present will decide whether to accept or reject this tentative agreement.