call to action: School committee 3/10/16

​Dear Members,


We met with School Committee/Administration tonight for yet another three hour negotiating session. Despite, all possible remedies, it is safe to say that we are at an impasse. I am frustrated, and I hope you are as well.

Please take that frustration and put it to use for the Association. If we want a fair and equitable contract, we have to show SC that we are willing to fight for it. It is disappointing that it has come to this, but our contract is undeniably worth fighting for. Their position will only be swayed if we take action. 

High School Teachers: NEASC is an issue upon which the HS staff is divided. If you receive a stipend, you should participate on March 6th. If you do not receive a stipend, do not attend. This is the next logical Union action. This is an ideal platform upon which we can leverage further negotiations. It is not meant to single out a specific school. 

All members should plan on attending the next School Committee meeting on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 6:15, WHS Humanities Center. We WILL hold signs. It will be undeniable that we are there as Unit A members to advocate for a fair contract. I will formally request to speak at this meeting. 

At the risk of micromanaging this action, members should stand shoulder to shoulder from the entrance of the building to the entrance of the Humanities Center. I know BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT this will have an effect on School Committee. This will only be effective if we have hundreds of set of eyes looking at them as they pass.

Other political parties tried to use our attendance at the last SC meeting for their political gain. They said we attended because of NEASC. While severalmembers may have attended due to NEASC, the request was for Unit A members to attend to push for a reasonable contract. WE know the truth. 

The Patriot Ledger said, "Parents packed Thursday's meeting and urged the committee to push for the full amount (fully funded budget/contract negotiations)." I called the Patriot Ledger and asked for a correction. "Parents" should be changed to the word "Teachers." The Patriot Ledger said that "my request did not warrant a correction." Personally, I would cancel my subscription to the Patriot Ledger, if I had one. 

Negotiations are tiring and frustrating. But now they border on insulting. Tonight, a SC member would not make eye contact with me until I spoke his/her name directly. By ignoring me, they in effect, ignore you. Our collective action shows that we will not be ignored. 

We have approximately 500 Unit A members. However, only about 200 members have added their email address on the Weebly site. If you know of someone who is not receiving emails, please direct them to the Weebly site, atweymoutheducators.weebly.com.