Negotiators, Members Congratulated for Raising Public Support
About 40 local association negotiators from southeast
Wisconsin were congratulated Monday (February 4, 2002) for the work they
have done to increase public support for Wisconsin's public schools, teachers,
and support staff.
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WEAC President Stan Johnson thanked the negotiators
and their members for helping to raise public awareness of Wisconsin's
great schools and the need to preserve quality education.
Johnson spoke to the negotiators at the first of several
regional bargaining meetings scheduled throughout the state this winter
and spring.
Johnson said the strong resolve of negotiators and members
who are standing behind the WEAC Statewide Bargaining Standards clearly
is raising public awareness of the unfairness of the Qualified Economic
Offer law and the harmful impacts of school district revenue controls.
Citizens, the media and public officials are taking notice of the fact
that more than 300 teacher contracts remain unsettled for 2001-03.
"It is making a huge impact," Johnson said.
Johnson said he understands how difficult it is for
members to hold fast to the bargaining standards because the result is
having an unsettled contract. But he emphasized it is important in the
long run to demand fair settlements.
Members' commitment to achieving fair settlements and
their unity behind the Great Schools message is generating a much greater
public understanding of the need for placing children in classrooms that
work, and the importance of retaining and attracting great teachers and
staff.
A recent WEAC survey, he said, revealed that the public's
support for public schools is on the rise. Public officials are recognizing
that fact, laying the foundation for positive changes in the law. Governor
McCallum's budget adjustment plan protects K-12 education funding, further
evidence that the Great Schools message is being heard.
Johnson said WEAC's survey also revealed the more the
public knows about the successes of our public schools, the more it supports
schools and the people who work in the schools. Therefore, he said, it
is important that members continue to take the Great Schools message to
the public.
WEAC and WEAC members have been educating the public
through the Great Schools campaign and through local association efforts,
some of which are related to efforts to negotiate fair contracts. In the
process of speaking before school boards, picketing outside school, distributing
fliers to parents, and other activities, members are incorporating information
about the successes of our schools, as well as the unfairness of the QEO
and revenue controls.
Some negotiators at Monday's meeting at the Wauwatosa
Radisson Hotel said their members are extremely frustrated with the lack
of progress in their negotiations. Yet, the strong consensus was that
they benefit - and schools benefit - in the long run when members demand
fair settlements and refuse to "cave in" to contract offers
that continue to fall short of the cost of living.
"This isn't just about money," Johnson said.
"It's about maintaining great schools, keeping great teachers and
staff, and having schools that benefit the community."
WEAC Public Relations and Communications Director Dick
Vander Woude said the recent WEAC survey strongly showed we are moving
in the right direction.
"We have the public support now," he said.
"We have to keep it. We have to build on it."
For information on other regional bargaining meetings,
contact your UniServ office.
Resource page
on the QEO law
Posted February 6, 2002