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CAT Tracks for March 3, 1998
Enough is Enough! |
Rest assured that your team will do everything within its power to avoid what has become an apparent attempt by the Cairo Board of Education to force us into a strike. They still evidently harbor grudges from the prolonged 1994 strike. During that strike, they tried--UNSUCCESSFULLY--to break the union . Instead of abandoning that failed strategy--instead of sitting down with us in a spirit of cooperation rather than confrontation--the Board continues their BAD FAITH NEGOTIATIONS with the CAT. We had hoped that the ULP findings against the District--in both the CAT AND the CAESP cases--would have shown them the error of their ways. But--stubborn defiance prevails!
Rest assured that YOU, THE MEMBERSHIP will decide our future course of action by majority vote. You expressed an interest in mediation, and we are requesting that service for our next session. The "intent to strike" notice is a requirement of Illinois labor law when the parties have filed a joint deferral of mediation in the past--which we did LAST SEPTEMBER! Almost 6 months later, the Board continues to play games. Filing the "intent to strike" notice restores that option--unfortunately, the only option that the Cairo Board of Education seems to understand.
Your team will continue to deal with a reluctant Board of Education in hopes of reaching tentative agreement on a successor agreement. We will continue to keep you informed at every step of the process. Your team thanks you for your continuing support and asks that you remain hopeful, strong and united!
We know that you are frustrated with the delays inflicted upon us by the Board. The community appreciates your patience. We can only hope that the Cairo Board of Education will FINALLY set aside vindictiveness and pettiness. IT IS TIME for the Board to sit down with us as professionals and work out a long-term agreement which will restore much needed peace and stability to Cairo School District Number One.