CAT Tracks for March 27, 2001

CAT Tracks for March 27, 2001

EDUCATORS ALL!

We can't spell "respect" without the letters E-S-P.

The April, 2001 edition of the NEA Today focuses on Education Support Personnel (ESP) and their efforts to organize across the United States. "ESP are the fastest-growing group of educators in the NEA--now 13 percent of the total NEA membership."

Locally, the custodial and maintenance personnel affiliated with Laborers International Union of North America Local 773 at the same time that CAT joined the IEA-NEA. The secretaries and bookkeepers of CSD #1 joined us in the IEA-NEA, gaining recognition in 1994 and winning increased salary and benefits. Affiliating with Local 773, the teachers' assistants of CSD #1 joined the ranks of organized labor last year, winning recognition and a hard-fought initial contract. ALL have experienced the same struggles in trying to win the respect of the Board of Education.

Unfortunately, nationwide, our fellow members in the educational family face an additional obstacle--teachers. NEA President Bob Chase gave his "Viewpoint" on this topic in the current NEA Today. I took the liberty of copying this article in case you missed it. After reading it, we should all reflect and make sure that our daily words and actions show genuine respect for those who make our jobs so much easier. They truly are ESP--Extra Special People!