CHTU Updates

Dear Colleagues,

Last night the Board of Education charged the superintendent and treasurer with the task of saving the district between $3.5 and $4.5 million dollars One reason among others was that there are unpredictable revenues from the state.  The Superintendent emailed all staff this morning that there will be lay-offs. Everyone will find out who will be affected before it becomes official at the April 23 Board meeting.

Every few years we seem to go through this experience.  A few years ago the Board pink slipped 60 of our members only to hire back almost the same number, some within

Dear Colleagues,

Yesterday your 795 bargaining team went through training with the Board’s team at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS).  Members of the team are: 1^st Vice-President Brian Schaner, 2^nd Vice-President Tamar Gray, Treasurer Jen Bennett, Monticello Steward Teri McGeary, and yours truly.  3^rd Vice-President Michael Carter will join us when we negotiated the monitor contract.  In the past, we have primarily engaged in traditional bargaining, which is where issues are not thoroughly discussed, where proposals are created in isolation and passed across the table, and

Dear Colleagues,

Going on strike is a last resort.  Imagine then how bad things must be for the teachers in Strongsville to cause them to strike.  Imagine how you would react if, in addition to not receiving step and cost of living raises and paying more for medical coverage, no respect was given to you on non-economic issues.  Strongsville teachers went for 9 months without a contract, hoping in vain that things could be worked out before they called their strike.

Today marks the beginning of the third week out on the streets for our colleagues.  At our Local 795 Executive Board meeting on

Link here for a full report on the 2013 OFT convention, including resolutions, info from all meeting, etc.

TEACHERS UNION SOCIAL HOUR:  Mark your calendar for February 8^th after school at Panini’s on Coventry.  Come and socialize and enjoy the food.  Please bring a donation for the Food Pantry at Forest Hill Church.  Suggested items are: canned meat or fish, beef or hearty soups and toiletries-soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

RETIREMENT INCENTIVE: The deadline to submit retirement letters for members eligible for the $12,000/$12,000 incentive is March 1.  You must have at least ten years in CHUH and be eligible to retire from STRS with no more than 30 years.  We meet with most everyone who is