CAT Tracks for March 18, 2011 NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

Now there's a misleading headline...

No, you haven't missed out on anything...negotiations didn't start without you...negotiations have NOT started.

The reason for this post is that I received a testy e-mail from a disgruntled CAT this morning...prompted by the "minutes" from last night's BOE meeting reporting the dismissal of 20 District employees, including 12 teachers.

BTW: The testy CAT was NOT one of the dismissed dozen...was a "safe" CAT.

To every action there is a reaction...

Since the BOE fired the "first shot" last night, testy CAT felt that maybe it was time to fire back...time for some hard-nosed negotiations for the next contract (the current one expiring on June 30, 2011.)

Well, hell...I like that attitude!!!

However...

Beginning negotiations early does NOT guarantee success. Probably the only guarantee is that it would add extra months to negotiations. CAT's history with the BOE has been that urgency on our part does NOT produce a sense of urgency on their part. (CAT asked to begin negotiations last time in January 2008 for a contract set to expire June. A proposal, a change in Superintendent, a new proposal, thirty-six meetings, and over a year later...we FINALLY got a new contract.)

Next month...

There is a school board election with four seats up for grabs...including two members of the BOE's negotiating team.

On June 30th...

Superintendent Swopes drives north to Chicago...for the last time.

Beginning negotiations during such an unsettled period would seem unproductive.

THAT is why CAT has not yet demanded to bargain. We think it best to wait until the dust settles...

In the meantime, CAT is drafting a "demand to bargain" the impact of the Reduction in Force approved by the Board of Education last night. Discussions will take place between CAT and the BOE on the rights of those released, their rights of recall, and the effects of the RIF on the "survivors". THAT is our priority for the coming month.

Then...

In May/June, our attention will turn to negotiating a new Contract.

So...

Stay tuned...be patient!