This evening MIEA's general membership voted to accept the proposed negotiated agreement between MIEA and the Mercer Island School District.
The 3 year deal replaces the "93 hour Supplemental Contract" and the Technology contract with an "Additional Responsibilities Contract," adds a Preservice day to the calendar, includes "Furlough" hours to off-set state funding cuts, changes the Early Release day to Wednesday starting in the 2012-13 school year, and keeps class size overload triggers in place for Certificated staff.
For Classified members the District is covering 1.5% of the state budget cuts and allowing an opportunity to make up an additional .4% in the 2011-12 school year. In the remaining two years the district will backfill the entire 1.9%. Classified workers with a Letter of Assignment will be allowed to carry over two personal days each year and all classified will use a new 4-tiered evaluation form. Of course, Classified members will also experience the Early Release schedule change starting next school year.
Our bargainers deserve a HUGE thank you for the countless hours they put into what turned out to be a very difficult bargain. They were passionate advocates for you, our members, and never lost sight of the needs of our students and their families. If you see Joby McGowen, Heather Simmons, Tracy Michaels, Joy Dunne, Mike Radow, or our UniServ Rep, Kathleen Heiman, give them a pat on the back.
We also need to thank the District's bargaining team for working with us to find a settlement agreement that meets everyone's needs. We accomplish so much more when we work together.
The Mercer Island Board of Directors (MISD School Board) have yet to ratify the contract. The issue will be added to their September agenda. If it is ratified, the new contract is a done deal.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
MIEA and MISD Reach Conceptual Agreement
Great news! The bargaining teams have come to an agreement for our contract.
We are working on a document for you outlining some of the details. In the mean time, know the big items of concern have been agreed upon: There won't be a change to early release this Fall and your pay checks will remain the same! The teams still need to finish up some of the details and write language.
The proposed contract will be presented in detail for ratification at our General Membership meeting on August 30th at 4:15. It is important to have everyone there.
And a HUGE thank you to everyone who turned out for our rallies in support of the bargainers, attended school board meetings, and spoke at the school board meetings. You made the difference in this difficult bargain. Well done!
We are working on a document for you outlining some of the details. In the mean time, know the big items of concern have been agreed upon: There won't be a change to early release this Fall and your pay checks will remain the same! The teams still need to finish up some of the details and write language.
The proposed contract will be presented in detail for ratification at our General Membership meeting on August 30th at 4:15. It is important to have everyone there.
And a HUGE thank you to everyone who turned out for our rallies in support of the bargainers, attended school board meetings, and spoke at the school board meetings. You made the difference in this difficult bargain. Well done!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Hopeful News
In the 11th hour, the MIEA bargaining team received indications the District is prepared to make some movement on the money issue. Therefore, the teams will be meeting tomorrow. However, the rally is still cancelled. Check back for updates from tomorrow's bargain.
Tuesday's Rally Cancelled!
The MIEA bargainers have cancelled tomorrow's bargain. They need more time to create a counter proposal to today's proposal from the District. The District proposal still does not fully fund the 1.9% cut for certs and class. They are also still pushing to change the Early Release day to Wednesday for this coming school year. Because the bargaining teams are not meeting, tomorrow's rally is cancelled.
This means the bargaining teams probably won't meet again until August. In the meantime, we have a lot of work we need to do. Please frequently check this site for updates and to learn of ways you can help.
Lastly, the bargainers want to extend their gratitude to the many people who've greeted them for the past two bargains. They said your presence energized them during a rather demoralizing time. Thank you to all who showed. There will be more opportunities to help the District do the right thing. Stay tuned!
This means the bargaining teams probably won't meet again until August. In the meantime, we have a lot of work we need to do. Please frequently check this site for updates and to learn of ways you can help.
Lastly, the bargainers want to extend their gratitude to the many people who've greeted them for the past two bargains. They said your presence energized them during a rather demoralizing time. Thank you to all who showed. There will be more opportunities to help the District do the right thing. Stay tuned!
Members Show Support in Rain
Today was another good turn out. Over 30 people cheered on our bargainers as they returned to negotiations.
As expected, last Wednesday's bargain didn't lead to much movement toward restoring the 1.9% cut to wages. We suspected the District's bargaining team would need a little more time to respond.
Today's bargain will be interesting. Now that the District has seen over 116 MIEA members show up in support of their bargainers last Wednesday, the School Board, Superintendant, and many members of the District's bargaining team saw MIEA members pack last Thursday's board meeting, and they heard 5 people implore the Board to not cut our wages, perhaps they will now understand how important this issue is to us.
Once we hear back from the bargainers following today's bargain, we'll post an update on this blog. Please make certain to check you home emails for updates, as well.
Before departing today, we ended the gathering with a cheer for the bargaining team thanking them for their service. Tomorrow we'll know if we have more to cheer about or more work to do. Stay posted!
As expected, last Wednesday's bargain didn't lead to much movement toward restoring the 1.9% cut to wages. We suspected the District's bargaining team would need a little more time to respond.
Today's bargain will be interesting. Now that the District has seen over 116 MIEA members show up in support of their bargainers last Wednesday, the School Board, Superintendant, and many members of the District's bargaining team saw MIEA members pack last Thursday's board meeting, and they heard 5 people implore the Board to not cut our wages, perhaps they will now understand how important this issue is to us.
Once we hear back from the bargainers following today's bargain, we'll post an update on this blog. Please make certain to check you home emails for updates, as well.
Before departing today, we ended the gathering with a cheer for the bargaining team thanking them for their service. Tomorrow we'll know if we have more to cheer about or more work to do. Stay posted!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Show of Support Monday and Tuesday
Keep the pressure on! Please turn out to show your support for our bargaining team this Monday and Tuesday. Monday's gathering is from 11:45-12:15 and Tuesday's is 8:45-9:15. Both are at the Board Room in the Admin. building. We'll be meeting in the lower parking lot. You are welcome to bring balloons, cards of supports, signs... whatever moves you. The best thing you can bring is another person! We want our bargaining team to know we support them in standing strong.
MIEA will hand out more information about the various issues that are currently "on the table" at Monday's gathering.
MIEA will hand out more information about the various issues that are currently "on the table" at Monday's gathering.
Friday, June 24, 2011
MIEA Members Speak From the Heart
At yesterday's school board meeting, Miguel Kerrigan (Driver), Cathy Dugovich (2nd grade), Jan Broussau (7th grade LA/SS ESL), Sarah Olson (Technology TOSA), and Kristen Bourke (5th grade Gifted) spoke with great passion to a room packed with MIEA members. They expressed their love for their work and their students while imploring the Board to support the staff by not cutting wages.
Miguel set the tone by outlining why he appreciates working for the district. He emphasized how cohesive we've been as a district and would like to see us continue to work together. Cathy followed by sharing a picture of her daughter taken 21 years ago chewing on a packet of peanuts with a sticker stating "Don't make us work for peanuts - WEA." She stated how disheartening it is to always be struggling to earn a professional wage and now to be here asking to not cut our pay. She said we always hear "it is for the kids," yet all the work we do is "for the kids." We have kids of our own to care for and it is harder to do that with ever decreasing salaries.
Jan Broussau started her comments pointing out what a strange position she is in -- essentially begging the school board to not cut her salary. She pointed out we've already seen cuts over the past 3 years and we know there are smaller districts than ours with fewer resources who have been able to keep their staff whole. Sarah echoed what a humbling position it is to be in. She shared how there are members on our staff who simply can't afford a 1.9% cut. Kristen Bourke finished up the comments section by saying the staff members give so much to the district while our costs continue to rise.
They did a fabulous job speaking sincerely and from the heart. We are lucky to have such amazing coworkers. Two questions remain, how compassionate are our School Board members and are you ready to do more to help the district do the right thing?
Miguel set the tone by outlining why he appreciates working for the district. He emphasized how cohesive we've been as a district and would like to see us continue to work together. Cathy followed by sharing a picture of her daughter taken 21 years ago chewing on a packet of peanuts with a sticker stating "Don't make us work for peanuts - WEA." She stated how disheartening it is to always be struggling to earn a professional wage and now to be here asking to not cut our pay. She said we always hear "it is for the kids," yet all the work we do is "for the kids." We have kids of our own to care for and it is harder to do that with ever decreasing salaries.
Jan Broussau started her comments pointing out what a strange position she is in -- essentially begging the school board to not cut her salary. She pointed out we've already seen cuts over the past 3 years and we know there are smaller districts than ours with fewer resources who have been able to keep their staff whole. Sarah echoed what a humbling position it is to be in. She shared how there are members on our staff who simply can't afford a 1.9% cut. Kristen Bourke finished up the comments section by saying the staff members give so much to the district while our costs continue to rise.
They did a fabulous job speaking sincerely and from the heart. We are lucky to have such amazing coworkers. Two questions remain, how compassionate are our School Board members and are you ready to do more to help the district do the right thing?
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