Ladwig, MEAA Win Bargaining Awards
Following are winners of the 1998 Paul Bierbrauer Award for excellence
in bargaining. The award alternates between teachers and educational
support staff. This year’s winners are from ESP locals.
Mindy Ladwig, who was chief negotiator while
the Rio Education Support Team negotiated its first contract last year.
UniServ Director Karen West, who nominated Ladwig, said Ladwig is “both
an agent of change and a power actor.” She is a risk-taker who
“has worked hundreds of hours by herself on bargaining proposals.”
As a result of her leadership, her 22-member local has engaged in job
actions in an effort to force a fair and timely collective bargaining
agreement.
The Milwaukee Educational Assistants’ Association
Bargaining Team. The association, which just affiliated with WEAC/NEA
in 1997, bargained a provision in its newest contract for participation
in the ESP Certificate Program. The program is offered through the WEA
Professional Development Academy. The provision provides $100 to members
who complete the PDA certificate program. Members can continue to receive
$100 payments by continuing to meet certain credit requirements. Specifically
cited for recognition were MEAA President Patti Anderson (pictured above)
and MTEA staff member Cheryl Barczak.
Posted December 2, 1998