The 2008 recipients of the Paul Bierbrauer Bargaining Awards were announced on Saturday afternoon (February 23, 2008). The awards recognize sustained excellence or innovation in bargaining. Recipients were the Denmark Education Association, Denmark Education Support Professionals and their Joint Action Team and Miguel Salas, Director of Lakewood UniServ Council.

Denmark Education Association, Denmark Education Support Professionals
and their Joint Action Team

The Denmark Education Association, Denmark Education Support Professionals and their Joint Action Team were awarded for overcoming adversity during their 2005-07 contract negotiations. “Throughout all of this adversity, this group of individuals kept their heads held high and never let it stop them from bargaining a fair and equitable contract for their members,” said WEAC Bargaining Committee Co-Chair Tim Vedra in presenting the award.

The DEA and DESP stuck together from the beginning to form a united front to the administration and school board, sharing initial contract proposals, using the same contract language when possible and meeting to discuss bargaining sessions. They formed a Joint Action Team, working closely with their UniServ Director Kathy Rohde and WEAC’s Mark Simons.

“They see the benefit in working together, standing up for each other and respecting each other in what they do,” Vedra said. “It was the coordinated efforts of the DESP, DEA, and Joint Action Team that got them through this extremely difficult bargain. They would never have had this success without working together.”

“The tenacity and hard work of both of these locals most surely epitomizes what the Paul Bierbrauer Award stands for,” Vedra said.

The award recipients are:
Jeanette Coonen, Denmark EA
Deb DeGrave, DEA/DESP Joint Action Team
Shelly Engel, Denmark EA
Rick Fischer, Denmark ESP
Kay Hansen, Denmark ESP
Darrel Hanson, Denmark EA
Bette Kane, Denmark ESP
Karen Kane, Denmark ESP
Nancy Kapinos, Denmark ESP
Scott McPherson, DEA/DESP Joint Action Team
Julie Noth, Denmark EA
Kathy Romsos, Denmark EA
Amy Schuh, Denmark EA
Maggie Tomashek, DEA/DESP Joint Action Team
Julie Zipperer, Denmark EA

Miguel Salas, Lakewood UniServ Council Director

Miguel Salas, Lakewood UniServ Council Director, is pictured with Tim Vedra and Kay Hansen, co-chairs of the WEAC Bargaining Committee.

Miguel Salas, Lakewood UniServ Council Director, also received a Bierbrauer Award for his deep passion, enthusiasm and dedication for his work. “Miguel has a delightful, humoristic and genuine approach that have made many long bargaining sessions less tedious and definitely more productive,” said WEAC Bargaing Committee Co-Chair Kay Hansen in presenting the award. “We are all grateful for the time, energy, expertise and professionalism that Miguel Salas has brought to his colleagues and to all members of WEAC.”

Salas was also praised for making a mark in the world of education in other ways, including serving as a volunteer and mentor. He is active with his family, his community and supports the Hispanic community. He also volunteers to work on issues such as elections and healthcare.

“I more than understand why the members of Lakewood UniServ Council feel so strongly about Miguel Salas and why he has been chosen to receive this esteemed award," Vedra said.

Posted February 26, 2008