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ROEA REPORTER

CRISIS TEAM NEEDED

After successfully negotiating a very good calendar, bargaining has slowed considerably. With the exception of minor modification to the grievance procedure, we have not made progress on any other issues. Relatively little has been accomplished. 

Nevertheless, our bargaining team was disheartened when the administrative team (T. Shorkey, S. Standel, J Schwartz) declared at the August 28th bargaining session that they would not extend our contract beyond the August 31st expiration date. Although we have four bargaining sessions scheduled in September, the ROEA Executive Board considers the lack of an extension a hostile action by the administration. Since 1981 when the last teacher strike occurred in Royal Oak, the contract has always been extended to allow for successful bargaining. Even more damaging to our potential bargaining success was that the administration and the union had agreed to negotiate collaboratively. The meaning of collaborative bargaining is to work together until a new contract is achieved. Quite simply, and without any reason related to the quality of discussion at negotiations, the administration broke its promise to us to bargain collaboratively.

The immediate impact of not having a contract is that we no longer have the right to go to arbitration to resolve grievances. This makes the endpoint of the grievance procedure the assistant superintendent as the hearing officer. There have been very few grievances successfully resolved at this level. For the few which have been resolved at this step, resolution was made possible by our ability to go to arbitration.

Why would the administration seek the expiration of the contract which is so fundamental to our financial security, professional rights, and ability to advocate for our students? The somewhat lackluster answer offered at the table was that the District's attorney advised them to do so. My answer is that a teachers' union without a contract is less able to be effective in its pursuit of fair working conditions and quality learning conditions--and that is something that our administration evidently desires. A unionized teacher, after all, is one who is effectively empowered to address both work and professional issues. In the short run the administration has bolstered its ability to make unilateral decisions about our work lives and the educational lives of our students. In the long run, they are creating a demoralized work environment, one which deemphasizes the educational needs of students and the professional needs of teachers.

At present, our financial benefits continue. However, the administration has taken a step towards the imposition of a non-negotiated contract which can have an adverse financial impact upon our members.

As a result of administration's refusal to extent our contract--which I suspect is supported by the School Board as the Board has supported the expiration of the custodial and secretarial contracts--the ROEA Executive Board has authorized the formation of a crisis team. We would like at least one elected volunteer from each school to serve. The purpose of the crisis team will be to plan and coordinate activities designed to help the bargaining team achieve its contract goals. We need this done as soon as possible. I would like all of our AR's to schedule an after school or lunchtime union meeting as quickly as possible to appoint or elect a crisis team member. Please contact me with names of the crisis team members so we can arrange our initial meeting with the bargaining team. Additionally, we are planning to have a bargaining unit meeting on Tuesday, September 23rd so we can update everyone about negotiations.

Thank you for your support of our union. All things valuable are procured and maintained through struggle and hard work. Our contractual rights, professionalism, and dignity as teachers are no exception. Therefore, let our work begin.

Sid

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Our executive board is happy to announce three new members. Betty Ann Garlak is our new Political Action Chair; Pat Hein will be serving as Elementary Director; and Beth Morrison is taking on the duties of treasurer. Read their interviews below:

TIDBITS of INFORMATION

Absences and Professional Development Days
If you have a charged absence (sick leave, personal business day, etc.) on a professional development day, you do not have to make up the professional development hours that you missed. If you are not absent on a professional development day, but for some reason you do not attend the 90 minute curriculum meeting which is now counted as professional development hours, you will have to make up the time. Do not miss a professional development meeting on a day that you are not charged with an absence.
Contractual Lunch Time
For some reason, non-bussed schools were scheduled for a 50 minute lunch. This is a mistake which was corrected at the Joint Committee meeting of September 3rd. Non-bussed schools get a 55 minute lunch.
Calendars
The calendars are in! Please get a building count of all ROEA members and call Sandy Riccardi or Pat Nothaft (248/358-4770) with the information. We will be able to give you a few extra calendars for other MEA members in the building (secretaries, custodians, media techs, etc.). Please do not distribute the calendars to non-members until we are sure that all of our members have received a calendar. If we have calendars left over, we will then give extras to anyone who would like one.

CLASSIFIED

All of the people who advertise in the REPORTER are connected to the ROEA. They are either members of the union, spouses of members, or retired teachers. You can expect a high quality of service and commitment to the needs of fellow union members as a result. Classified ads are also posted on our web site, ROEA.com!

Advertise your service or product free of charge in the Reporter
and on our web site, ROEA.com.
E-mail Cadine Nicholson at Cadinen@aol.com to be included.