Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter
Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter
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CAT Tracks for May 19, 2009
NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE |
Strange meeting...
We began the meeting at 7 p.m.
The CAT Bargaining Team reviewed a rough draft of its latest proposal on part-time employee language, a proposal that made significant movement in areas of substance. The CAT team gave its proposal to the BOE Team at 7:30 p.m.
After giving the BOE "something to chew on", the CAT Team turned to salary. The CAT Team was taken aback when representatives of the BOE's Team knocked on our door shortly thereafter...wanting more proposals. I mean, they had no response to our proposal...complained of its length (four pages), but asked for more!
We informed them that we were almost ready with a salary proposal, whereupon they apologized for jumping the gun. Approximately 10 minutes later, we gave them our salary proposal.
In drafting the proposal, the CAT Team grew concerned that we were entering dangerous waters...the point at which members would find the proposal unacceptable. We "telegraphed" that message to the BOE Team by including the following paragraph with our salary proposal:
The CAT Team presented this salary proposal at approximately 8 p.m. and then we waited...and waited...until approximately 10 p.m.
Well, we sure got the "quantity"...an 11-page proposal, covering salary, part-time employees, severance/bonus, and hiring/firing of coaches.
To be honest...I have not had time to read the entire package. From skimming, progress WAS made...most significantly, a re-opening of the previously TA'd health insurance premium language. The BOE Team evidently acknowledged the CAT Team's concern that the salary increase proposed by the BOE would be eaten up by the proposed increase in BCSB health insurance premiums. Accordingly, the BOE has offered to absorb (pay) an additional 50% of the scheduled health insurance increase in 2009-10 (and retain that level of expenditure for the 2010-11 school year.)
The BOE Team responded to the CAT Team's "warning" about reaching a "bottom line" in salary with an ultimatum of its own:
In short, the BOE Team wants you to vote on its proposal.
The CAT Team has no problem with that...we are always transparent in our dealings. THAT is how we have earned your trust over the years.
Does the CAT Team think this is a good deal?
That a good question...that I cannot answer at this time. As I indicated above, I personally have not read the entire proposal...have not pulled out the calculator and figured out if the additional health insurance premium paid PLUS their salary proposal (which was NOT increased) meets the threshold of acceptability. With that respect, I can safely say I speak for the other members of the team.
To make that determination, the CAT Team has set a meeting for itself...to review the entire package (that we will spend the next couple of days compiling.) Hey, it's been a year since we started this process...there is a lot "out there".
So, what we have here...is NOT an official "Tentative Agreement". The two parties have NOT signed off on the agreement. AGAIN...neither side has a complete draft of what has been done.
On Thursday afternoon, the CAT Team will make a decision...whether to endorse the package...whether to recommend its passage.
The CAT negotiations team will continue to entertain any offers that the Board chooses to propose. However, this proposal represents the lowest offer that the CAT negotiations team would recommend for passage to its membership when taking the ratification vote. Furthermore, The CAT negotiations team members reserve the right to speak as individuals regarding ratification on an offer of lesser value.
The Board urges the Association team to present Board Salary Proposal #5, as modified by the Board's willingness to absorb an additional 50% of the scheduled health insurance increase in 2009-10 to employees, for ratification. The Board reserves the right to communicate the terms of its proposal directly to the affected employees in the Bargaining Unit, and to urge their ratification.
THEN...
General CAT Membership Meeting
Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at 3:30 p.m.
Location - The CJSHS Cafeteria
A vote on the BOE's proposal will be taken!
You must be present to vote...no "proxy votes".
That's all we can tell you for now.
Progress was made.
Was it enough?
THAT is for you to decide!!!
The CAT Team will make every effort to provide you with a copy of the language items by Friday so that you may review them prior to Tuesday's meeting. Feel free to discuss the items with each other...feel free to ask questions.
Be present and cast an informed vote!
Thank you for your patience...
See you Tuesday afternoon at CJSHS!!!
The actual "bare bones" salary proposal from the BOE...the one that they want you to vote on is as follows:
Don't even think about asking for a salary schedule yet...
PS: Don't freak out over the "BA" and "MA"...it's "BS" (and "BS+16) and "MS" (and "MS+16"). The BOE attorney sees things through his educational background...the world of BA's and MA's.
PPS: REMEMBER...you are already receiving your "step" for this year. Your "new money" will be $605 for this school year...divvied up over the remaining months of the contract. If they entertain "lump sum", it would be 75% of the $605 (approximately $450) with the remainder divvied up over the summer checks.
