Madison Teachers Inc. For more information, MTI's Local Home Page

Solidarity - December 6, 1999

Volume 33, No. 16
We teach the children ... Collectively we decide ... United we act

TWO MORE MTI STAFF MEMBERS RECOGNIZED

In its special feature "Leaders for a New Millennium", The Capital Times recognized MTI Assistant Directors Doug Keillor and Ed Sadlowski among those to watch as we move into the next century.

The Times asked, "John Matthews has dominated Madison school politics for more than 30 years as the director of Madison Teachers Inc., but what will happen when he retires? Matthews says he has no plans to leave any time soon, but teachers have had their eyes on Matthews' two most senior lieutenants, Doug Keillor and Ed Sadlowski, as possible successors."

Additional excerpts of the article follow:

The two are very reluctant to call attention to themselves, in large part because they do not want to downplay the ability of their two colleagues, Jeff Knight and Eve Degen....

Sadlowski's father, Ed Jr., lost a bid to become the president of the United Steel Workers of America, but the effort took young Ed on a remarkable campaign across the country. The elder Sadlowski was trying to reform the union. Sadlowski said one of the biggest challenges for the union in the next 10 years will be to reform the Wisconsin Education Association Council, the largest teachers union in the state, and make it more of an advocate for public education and teacher unionism rather than a professional development organization. MTI members have fought hard, for example, against WEAC-backed teacher licensing proposals that they say would turn teachers against each other. Sadlowski, who earned a master's degree from the University of Illinois in industrial relations, is approaching seven years of service to MTI.

Keillor says one of the biggest challenges for MTI in the future may be how to deal with labor peace. For decades, the union has fought with school district management, including a strike in the 1970s and a series of job actions in the 1990s...Keillor said it will be a challenge for the union to turn its attention away from school district administrators and toward state government to tackle problems posed by revenue caps and the "qualified economic offer,'' which limits the ability of a union to bargain for salary and benefit increases. Keillor, 35, came to MTI almost nine years ago after earning a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in industrial relations. He did not set out to be an academic.

Both Sadlowski and Keillor are cautious about their plans with MTI should Matthews retire. Both have families, and they say the choice will depend on their circumstances at the time and the will of the union.

Matthews says he plans to stay with MTI at least until Rainwater retires in the next several years, but he agrees that both of his lieutenants have strong leadership potential. "They're pretty dynamic people", he said.

Earlier this month Matthews was recognized by Madison Magazine as one of Madison's most influential people in the 20th century.

To read the full article about Doug and Ed, Click Here!

JOB ACTION AT ROCK-TENN; MEMBERS OF 38 UNIONS PICKET

Trouble is brewing at Rock-Tenn, a multi-national company near East Towne. Rock-Tenn grew out of Forsberg Paperbox Company. Forsberg made boxes for such things as potato chips and toothpaste. Later, it was bought out and became East-Tex and eventually Rock-Tenn.

Rock-Tenn, like many multi-national companies, is not interested in the well-being of its employees or their families, but only in the bottom line. Rock-Tenn is telling its employees to accept a 12 hour workday or we close the plant. MTI Executive Director John Matthews said, "The Rock-Tenn proposal shows complete disregard to the health of the workers or to the negative impact of the 12 hour day on the workers' families. Rock-Tenn's labor relations strategy is like that of the days of old, when employers attempted to break and conquer their employees."

Member of 38 Madison area unions picketed with members of the Paper, Allied Industrial Chemical and Energy Workers' Union, Local 1202, which represents Rock-Tenn workers. The number of MTI members on the line was outstanding. MTI showed the largest support by far for Local 1202.

A BIG THANKS TO THE UNION

A member recently wrote to MTI Executive Director John Matthews, "I wish to express my appreciation for your part in obtaining my new position...It is because of the Union's strong support and cooperative working relationship with the School District that my situation was resolved."

YOU ARE UNITED WAY

While those represented by MTI were recognized for their major increase in contributing to United Way last year, contributions in 1999 have leveled off with the growing needs in Dane County. United Way needs your help if they are to be able to assist others. If you have not turned in your pledge to United Way, please consider doing so within the next few days. See your MTI Faculty Representative or call MTI.

RESIGNATION/RETIREMENT

Teachers are reminded that if they plan to resign/retire at the end of the current school year that such must be in writing to the Director of Human Resources as early as possible. The following sums may be charged for late resignation: a) resignation after the last day of the school year - $200; b) resignation after July 1 - $250; c) resignation after August 1 through the subsequent school year - $300; and d) any teacher who resigns without providing at least 30 days written notice are assessed an additional $100.

Educational Assistants and Clerical/Technical Employeesare reminded that if they are going to resign/retire that such must be made in writing to the Director of Human Resources at least two (2) weeks prior to the effective date of resignation. Any employee who fails to give written notice of at least two (2) weeks prior to the effective date of resignation is required to pay $100 as liquidated damages for the failure to give such notice.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Thanks to participation by MTI members, Horace Mann is rapidly growing in the Madison area. Horace Mann, which provides payroll deducted auto and homeowners' insurance under MTI's insurance program, needs to hire more agents to serve the needs of MTI members. MTI members who are aware of a spouse, son or daughter, or a retired colleague who is looking for a second career, are asked to call or refer that person to Van Hall, Wisconsin Agency Manager (608-244-7336).

LUNCH SUPERVISION

Pursuant to Section V-K of MTI's "Teacher" Collective Bargaining Agreement,teachers may not be required to work in any capacity for the District during the duty free lunch period. The District may, however, contract with teacher volunteers for services in lunch period supervision. MTI's Contract mandates that teachers who volunteer for lunch duty be paid at the rate of $9.10 per hour, with payment being computed in one-half (½) hour lots. For example, if one works 32 minutes, she/he is paid for one hour, or $9.10. Arbitration of a grievance advanced by MTI established the method of wage calculation.

RETIREMENT INSURANCE ACCOUNT

What happens to one's MTI negotiated Retirement Insurance Account in the event of death? Under MTI's various Collective Bargaining Agreements, when a retired employee dies while receiving benefits under an MTI negotiated Retirement Insurance Account, his/her spouse will continue to receive benefits which are in force at the time of the death of the retired employee until the first of the following occurs: a) twelve months from the death of the retired employee; b) said funds are exhausted; c) the spouse elects to discontinue coverage in the District's benefit programs; d) the spouse dies; or e) the spouse remarries.

"SPECIALS" NOT REQUIRED TO ATTEND TEAM PLANNING MEETINGS

A question has arisen among music, art and physical education teachers as to whether they can be required to attend team planning meetings. Based upon the terms and conditions of the MTI/MMSD Collective Bargaining Agreement, the answer is "NO". The team planning period is only applicable to full-time elementary classroom teachers (limited to full-day kindergarten and first through fifth grade) and full-time elementary special education classroom teachers (including LD, ED, CD, Vision and Hearing Impaired).

Return to UniServ Page

Posted December 7, 1999