Eagle Pt. Teachers/Staff Standup for FAIRNESS

SOUTHERN OREGON JOBS WITH JUSTICE/Rogue IMC, 15.01.2009 15:48

1/14/08--HUGE RALLY IN EAGLE POINT, OREGON
A disrespectful school board gets an ear full of solidarity

This report is in three parts:
1) Introduction
2) Photos of the event
3) Messages from Teachers & Staff that were delivered to the School Board.

INTRODUCTION
The room was packed, in fact over-packed. The Fire Department showed up with fire code concerns, however by that time the meeting was nearly over. It was not the Fire Dept. but the School Board who called the meeting short. Looking at his watch (see very last photo) Board Chair Jonathan Bilden denied the request of 5 more minutes for the teacher/staff presentations and he kicked the teachers and staff out of the room.

In the Eagle Point School District the teachers and staff are all in one union, the Oregon Education Association, and they all speak with one voice.

At the meeting Teachers and Staff made brief presentations to the District's School Board. For those in attendance there was no doubt about the dedication of this workforce in spite of the lack of respect from the School Board and from Administrators who have already got their pay raise. Faculty & Staff are only asking for the same pay raise as the Administrators, and the words from an early presenter really set the tone for the evening when a teacher said: "This is like a family at dinner time when the parents eat first."

Unfortunately (but not a big surprise) press coverage of this HUGE event was horrible. One local TV station did cover the meeting, but that was it. And there was NO newspaper ink in the Medford Mail Tribune. What a disservice! Its no wonder that newspapers are in such steep decline. They don't report news anymore. That is why the Rogue IMC is proud to bring you this report.

"Thanks again for coming out and supporting us. I think we are energized again" were the words of grade school teacher Debbie Herzog in reference to the support from Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice members.

PHOTOS (click on a pic to make it bigger) Second set of pics here:  http://rogueimc.org/en/2009/01/14445.shtml

--MESSAGES FROM TEACHERS & STAFF THAT WERE DELIVERED TO THE SCHOOL BOARD--

Following is a very long list of messages (over 300) from Teachers & Staff that were given to the School Board at the meeting.

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These words come directly from the hearts and minds of School Dist. 9 certified and classified employees. We hope you will take the time to read each and every one of them. Thank you.

Messages From EPEA Members:

Please settle now!

Please settle the contract before Christmas.

Please settle now!

Please settle soon.

Please settle.

I can’t pay my house payment! Help!

Please consider getting this accomplished and helping us all.

Please finalize our contract. I want to see our energy and thoughts focused on our students.

I know we are all still working hard. Please settle now.

We want a contract.

Settle Now!

I don’t do insecure well. Please settle.

Please settle our contract fairly and quickly!

Please settle with fairness.

Please Settle! Play fair.

Please work to settle the contract. Let’s do what’s best for kids!

Thanks for working hard to settle tonight!

Please settle. I have a family to support!

Please settle this tonight. Extending this process is bad for this district.

We need a fair and equitable contract! Please be fair.

Please don’t drag this out. Settle soon!

Please settle today.

Thank you for the fair contract.

Thanks for your hard work. Please settle.

Please settle NOW!

Fairness. Stress! Please settle soon!

SETTLE!

We are the most valuable asset you have!

Thanks for all the long hours and hard work. Let’s settle soon, this is stressing me out!

Please settle quickly!

Please keep working towards a settlement. Thank you.

Let’s come to an agreement fair to all parties.

Please be swift but fair.

Please settle now. We deserve a fair contract.

Please do the right thing for all. SETTLE!

Please settle. Be fair, my family is very important to me.

Do the right thing…

Please settle.

Please settle soon and be fair.

Please settle today- this is affecting my life and my students. Be Fair and considerate.

Settle Now, Be Fair!

Please settle today! Thank you!

Please settle today! These are very stressful times for all of us, especially for my family. Thank you.

Thanks for working so hard to settle.

Please settle.

Let’s all be trustworthy and settle.

3% increase, fully paid insurance. Settle.

Put the pedal to the metal. Let’s settle!

Settle This!

A contract would be a real nice touch.

Please settle today!

Settle now. We need a contract!

Times are tough! We need a contract!

Pease settle.

Please Settle!

Just Do It!! Fair is Fair!

Keep working! We need to know!

Please settle the contract today! It will put a smile on my face.

Please settle tonight!

Let’s settle!

Do what’s right for kids! Please settle!

Please work to settle the contract now, ASAP, etc. Let’s do what’s best for all especially the students!

Please settle I am very stressed over the deal.

It is important for all involved that we settle now! Please get the situation resolved!

Settle. Thanks. The students are our focus!

I don’t want to strike BUT I WILL!

Please look at all sides and be fair.

I got the key to the highway, packed up, I’m bound to go, we need to settle the contract so my teammates won’t have to go!

Please be respectful of what is fair and for the good of kids.

Settle Now!

Please Settle.

Please Settle.

Morale counts with adults and kids.

Our morale is important. Let the healing begin. Settle Now!

Please listen and settle.

Enough distraction! A fair contract is practical and respectful at the same time.

Strike? I would! Let’s settle fairly!

We are waiting. The kids are waiting.

Please Settle. Happy, dedicated employees= Happy, dedicated students.

Fair Contract Now!

We need a contract. Reduce the stress level.

Please help us in finding a fair contract.

Morale is suffering. Settle now!

Please settle soon.

Think about if you were in our position. What would your want (need)?

Let’s be fair. We deserve a fair settlement. Look at our needs not just yours.

Let’s be a TEAM. Stand strong. We work hard for the district! I trust management will do right by our contract.

Please remember this is all for the students’ benefit.

A fair contract keeps excellent employees.

It’s time to settle a fair contract. Could you survive on what you are offering us? I don’t think so.

Let’s be fair.

I’m a good employee! I’m tired of taking a cut- I am worthy of my wages. Would like to know that the administration thinks so too- last contract you got yours- this time you got yours- It’s time! Working conditions and wages. Fair contract.

Let’s get this settled soon!

Keep Teacher Happy! We can do it. We Love Kids! $,

Trust, Support Staff #1, Prep time, fair insurance.

Honesty is the best policy.

Why would a once-upon-a-time teacher who worked hard on a fair contract…become an administrator and annihilate it?

Be family friendly! The flex time allows me to work more for the students.

You can show us that we are valued by giving us a fair contract.

District office 3%, all others 2%? Play Fair!

I do not feel valued as a teacher by the district.

Be honest and respectful.

Paying my mortgage.

Respect!

Children are our future… …if so, it would seem those who lead them would be treated fairly and honorably.

Fair Settlement!

Please let us go on and teach out students.

You got your 3%, why not me?

Please don’t make it difficult to pay bills and choose bills over our students.

My room is “Child Centered”, not your offers.

How is a lack of respect, “Child Centered”?

How will I pay my rent? Cost is up, pay is down-

You got a considerable raise for office work- I am in the classroom everyday- Where is mine for my 50 hour week?

Classroom teachers deserve respect!

We work hard for our kids and want to have respect for this hard work.

Please settle so we can teach!

Please Settle.

Complete health coverage.

More that 2%. As much raise as district office.

Share sick leave.

We deserve at least 3%.

Settle fairly.

Not us and them, but WE.

Please, no lay-offs.

Respect!

We are worth more than 2%. 2% will not pay my mortgage and support my family!

I need a living wage to support my family.

For our children!

Don’t forget, teachers and people too.

I am honest. I expect everyone to be honest.

Politics doesn’t teach kids.

Show you care by keeping our sick leave bank as it is.

Complete health coverage.

Please follow one of my classroom rules. “Treat others as you would want to be treated”

Please settle soon so we can focus on our important job of teaching our kids.

Teachers, where the rubber meets the road. FAIR SETTLEMENT!

Some of us are going backwards in pay= 15+ years instructional assistant.

… because nice matters.

You got your raise and so did your classified… so where is mine?

Please don’t do this to our children.

Don’t do this to our kids.

You, administration, received your raise and so did your classified staff. When will we get our raise?

Medical Insurance fully paid on lower level.

Raises- should be the same across the district= Admin. = everyone.

It is all about the students. People who have contact with them need the support! Aids, Insurance, Money

Stop treating us like children. Respect and support get respect and support.

Fair Contract- 3%

I am real tired of all the negativity and animosity within the district and would like to see a settlement ASAP.

Please settle on a fair contract.

3% + $938. Fair Contract!!!!!!

Hear us. Settle Now!

We have enough challenges. Don’t try to fix something that is not broken.

Settle Now!

Please settle our contract so we can move on with respect.

Please settle our contract so we can do our jobs without having uncertainty and turmoil hanging over our heads.

Are District 9 employees valued?

Please put a smile on this face and settle.

Thank you for all of your efforts. Please work to find common ground and settle.

Settle now!! Please settle!! Just settle!!

Let’s compromise. Let’s think of the kids.

Dear DO, In order to reach an agreement everyone has to give. Please consider a mutual giving… Thank you

Please Settle Now!

We are People!

Treat us well!

Not our sick bank!

Move forward.

Use your head! No contract is bad business, you pay for this bad business. Fair Contract!

Please settle now!

Settle Fairly. We are hard working people who need to be shown we are valued.

Please settle now! Fair Contract Now! We are here for the kids. Let’s put all of our efforts into what we do best!

Together We Stand!

Please settle the contract. Please support the staff and students.

Thanks for all the time you have put in so far. Let’s settle J , please.

We’re here for the kids… Are you here for us?

Please be fair. Settle today!

Be fair, be kind, Safe, Respectful, Responsible.

Please settle a FAIR contract.

Please settle now! Want a fair contract. 16 years experience, community member for 25 years! Three children graduated from Eagle Point High School.

Treating us with dignity and respect cost nothing and… is in the best interest of everyone. Respect= 0$ dignity= 0$ Fair settlement= Priceless

We are the champions! My friend, and we’ll keep on fighting to the end!! “I Have a Dream!” That we settle quickly and fairly!! To what much is given, much will be expected. This is a two way street. Please settle. Please settle. Everything costs and arm and a leg.

We are here for the kids. But remember, we have kids of our own to care for! Fair Settlement Now- please!

Bail us out and be fair about it! Settle now!

Please settle our contract!

Keep thinking, keep… working, to every fall there is a rise! It’s okay to push back.

Together and Strong for kids!

“You have to work to make a living.” We are humans supporting one another in many ways… Support us with dignity and respect. “Settle!”

I can’t do more! Please reconsider you “work time” positions. I teach 4 different subjects, they change every year, and with a prep I still work until 7:30 pm almost every night and easily 5 hrs on the weekend. I am considered a top notch teacher so I know I’m not alone.

Leave the Sick Bank As It Is!!

“District 9 forever! May we always be! Faithful, proud and loyal in our love for thee! Hail – Hail – the gang’s all here.” It’s time to take care of their needs! Let’s “settle” and once again, become a GREAT TEAM!

Please think of us as “people” ~ not just numbers. Please leave our sick bank alone! SETTLE SOON!!!

FAIR SETTLEMENT

Respect us – We need flexible hours

A 2% cost of living increase is like giving a good waitress a 2 cent tip!

Don’t Squeeze Out Any More Good Effective People.

SETTLE NOW - SHOW US THAT YOU RESPECT US – SETTLE NOW

FAIR JUST no 2%

Tis the season for giving please be generous on both sides and settle.

Fair Contract Please!

Keep our current contract language

I want to teach. I need a fair contract.

Remember we are human beings…. Treat us as such…. Not slaves

RESPECT our desire to work as a team for the common goal of educating students requires mutual respect within our staff. Please show your respect for our dedication to our students with a fair and respectful contract.

Put Yourself in our Shoes

Our sick bank, as is allows us to be compassionate with each other. Please do not change our sick bank.

Keep our current sick leave language and flex hour language from our current contract. Thanks

Keep current sick-bank language and flex hours please.

TO DISTRICT BARGAINING TEAM: - PLEASE REACH A FAIR SETTLEMENT!!

· Insurance $

· Work day hours

· Sick bank leave

PLEASE SETTLE

Let’s put a smile on everyone’s face and settle on a fair contract now. Many items do not rely on money. You ask us to trust you, but your issues often sound like you don’t trust us. The last time we bargained, my raise turned out to equal 4 cents an hour. We were told the district had not money to spare. Not long after that, administrators received large pay raised. Let’s be fair this time to everyone.

CLASSIFIED CERTIFIED

HANDLE WITH FAIRNESS

Keep our sick leave bank as is…

Put yourself in our shoes

Easy as Pie Be Fair

Respect the needs of the teacher! Respect: Give it! Get It!

Please help “US” to help the children!

Collaboration! {responsibility, respect, caring} administration to work force. If administrators can get 3%, and there is money for that expense then certified and classified should get at least the same!!!!! We should work together collaboratively!!!! Not from the top down! Top down doesn’t work!

Please Settle Our Contract

Please consider and appreciate the value of the classified and certified employees by negotiating a fair and equitable contract.

We all deserve Respect! Treat others how you would like to be treated!

We want a fair contract and Respect!

Cynda’s Thanksgiving note said, “Being part of the JSCD9 family is a wonderful gift in my life.” I have many concerns about the honesty of this statement. A gift is something treasured and respected. If you respect something you don’t treat it with distrust and disrespect. What a person says and what is modeled should match. Teachers are expected to respect and build positive relations with students. The administration should do no less!

The issues are simple. We must get back to working together. We need to settle so we can get back to what we do best and that is Teach

I don’t feel trusted or respected by the contract changes you want. Administrators don’t deserve more of a raise than we do. I have a family to support. This process is destroying all trust between management and employees. Settle a fair contract NOW!!!

Cynda Rickert: We can not build a strong district nine team without working together. We must get back on Track!

Hello: In this trying time of economic down turn; I would like to receive my raise in pay immediately. It only seems fair. I understand the administrators have already received a 3% pay raise. Please settle our contract A.S.A.P. so we can focus on more important issues without additional STRESS on our jobs. Thank You!

Something is wrong in a district when you start loosing great administrators and employees don’t feel respected or trusted. Please start taking a look within.

Settle Now!! So we can concentrate on what is most important, teaching!

Please Be Fair. Thank you

Please Settle

Please, Please, Please. Let’s come to a fair settlement!

Please help us resolve this

Please help us help Kids

Let’s settle this.

All I want for Christmas is a Contract

I’m flexible. How about you?

Please settle soon! I just want the security to work with my students.

We stand behind our negotiation team

Please Settle on a fair contract. Thank you

Please Settle!

We are blue with no contract

Please Settle

Please Settle! It’s time to build relationships.

Respect you staff – settle fairly!

Settle NOW!

Please Settle

Please Settle!

I deserve financial compensation for my large EFFORT! EFFORT!

We’d love a fair contract. Thanks for your work

PLEASE SETTLE A FAIR CONTRACT- WE ALL DESERVE IT.

Please listen

Please Settle!

Will work 4 contract

We want a fair contract. Please!

Hip, Hip, Hooray! Let’s settle TODAY!

Please make a commitment to settle this contract. No one wants to live in uncertainty. Kids need our complete attention. Kids First, School Staff Second, Administration Third- That’s the way kids stay on top.

9/10ths of education is encouragement!! We need a fair contract.

Visit me in my classroom. Stay for more than 4 min. Stay with me after school til 4:15 as I plan. Come home with me and visit with my family as I plan. Watch as I work on the weekends. Look into my checkbook. I’ve spent $1,000 of my own money.

We all deserve a fair contract! Let’s work together for the children! Kids need happy, healthy teachers and staff.

SETTLE NOW! WE NEED A CONTRACT! BE FAIR, BE RESPECTFUL. HELP!

Let’s Settle Now! SHOW US SOME RESPECT! Let’s work together. We deserve it, our students deserve it! FAIR CONTRACT! Together and Strong!

Settle Now! Be Fair. Help Now. We need a contract. Please Compromise.

Fair, just, respectable settlement tonight!! Please honor my time, my work ethic, my dedication to our students and this district. I’ve been here 26 years.

Be Fair, Be Just, Be Reasonable, Be Honest!

WCE – ET – LBS – MVE - HELP US NOW!

We love kids! Let’s work together! Let’s all have a fair contract! An 8 hour day doesn’t exist in a teacher’s world. Working together for children.

Come visit me in my classroom soon…Learn what we do and why we love our jobs! (and why we work so hard)

We put in the extra hours. We care about kids! Our teachers go above and beyond! We deserve a fair contract!

We are the wind beneath your wings!

My family and I need and deserve a fair contract. I love my job! Visit our classrooms to see what your choices will impact.

We teach READING, WRITING, MATH, SOUCIAL STUDIES, SCIENCE, MUSIC, ART, HEALTH, PE, MANNERS, SELF-ESTEEM, HYGIENE, LIFE. Don’t we deserve your respect?

Bargain in good faith! Let’s work TOGETHER FOR OUR CHILDREN! Let’s treat each other with respect and professionalism! For our students!

WCE loves kids! Settle NOW! Respect, Responsible, Work Together for a Fair Contract! Together and Strong! Together and Strong!

You could hire another person with all the unpaid hours I have worked in the past three years. We all go above and beyond. We deserve a fair contract. Settle Now!

I love my job. We are a team! I need a contract! Kids need to see happy, healthy staff members. I need to make a decent wage! I give more time and effort than you know! Treat me with respect!

Us + You! Show us you care.

We work in the most challenging jobs of all, working to make a difference in the lives of children. Teaching is a respected, honored profession. Why are we feeling so disrespected? Please be fair. Do the right thing.

Are you enjoying your raise? We need ours too… We make less than you and we work just as hard as you!

You are here because of us. We are here because of kids. Let’s support each other and value ALL!

I love my job! We all deserve a fair contract! Kids must see happy, healthy staff members. Ask my family about my “8 hour” days. Let’s work together… it’s about the kids. Kids are our lives.

I spent $1,000 of my own money. My class is my family and my life. Please show some respect.

SETTLE NOW! WE DESERVE BETTER! Support Us!

2% Won’t Pay the Rent! SETTLE NOW! We deserve a fair contract! Think about others. Be Respectful!

I love our kids and staff and I put in more than my 8 hours to make a difference in their lives EVERYDAY! After 14 years I deserve better than no contract for 6 months. I deserve a contract! Please settle now!

Been working without a contract. Scary times. Kids, schools, staff deserve the best. Be helpful, be fair, be generous, be happy! Please settle now.

Please show us the respect that we show our students every day! Please settle fairly! Please!

Talk is cheap, please show us respect by settling a fair contract.

Actions speak louder than words, fair contract now!

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