Posted on Jan 28, 2010
The past two weeks have been tumultuous for SDEA members. On Jan. 14 the District handed us a bargaining proposal that was patently unacceptable. Five days later the District amended their proposal with an eight percent salary cut, fueling anxiety and dismay across the District, and receiving significant play in the media.
In keeping with the SDEA bargaining team’s commitment to bringing important decisions about the future of our contract directly to you, SDEA held fourteen all-membership meetings this week to identify and implement the strongest bargaining position possible given current conditions. SDEA members District-wide came and participated in incredibly tough and candid conversations.
We know there is a great deal of misinformation and confusion surrounding the District’s proposal and the path before us. Members are asking, has the union endorsed an eight percent cut? Why is the District asking me to verify my seniority date? Are layoffs a foregone conclusion? Is my voice being heard, or is our future a done deal?
Your union leadership understands the legitimate anxiety and anger that SDEA members are feeling right now. We are committed to winning the best possible contract for San Diego’s educators — a contract that we can all rally around and defend. Let us be clear and direct:
- The purpose of these meetings is NOT to discuss whether the District’s proposed eight percent wage cut is acceptable or has any merit. It is NOT and it does NOT.
- SDEA’s membership is committed to fighting tooth and nail any and all layoffs should the District go down that ugly road. San Diego’s children cannot learn without teachers.
- Your union leadership hears you, and we promise you that our counterproposal to the District will reflect the questions and concerns you shared with us over the past four days.
Through the tough conversations we’ve had together this week, a clear direction has emerged. Across the District, an overwhelming majority of those who participated voted to authorize the bargaining team to explore the possibility of giving a little to get a lot back — with strong contractual guarantees. That being said, there are two meetings scheduled on Monday, Feb. 1 (3:30 and 6:30 at the SDEA office). We want to hear every SDEA member’s voice — this is your chance to speak.
Our bargaining team’s next step will be to craft a counterproposal that we all can rally around, and that reflects the feedback you shared with us this week. But the hard truth is that a handful of people sitting at a bargaining table are powerless unless the District sees all 8,000 of you standing behind us. In the weeks ahead, your Association Representatives and other union leaders will be calling on you to act collectively in support of our bargaining proposal. We need you now. If we are going to protect our jobs, our standards and our profession, we must stand together as educators and union members, and commit to continue to act collectively until we reach a fair resolution
If we stand together WE WILL WIN a fair contract
TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER!