MFT Organizer
Negotiations Update and Call-to-Action
Update
Your MFT Negotiating Team continued to exchange proposals with the District's team this past Thursday, December 27th. The mediation session started at 8:30 a.m. and ended at 5:30 p.m. We spent the day addressing the topic of "transfer and reassignment" and the District's last proposal.
The MFT Team submitted a positive proposal containing collaborative solutions to concerns expressed by both sides. At 5 p.m. we were informed that a response would not be ready until we meet next week on January 3rd.
Call-to-Action
The state mediator has only three more days on his calendar available to work with us before the end of winter break (Jan 3rd, 4th, and 5th). If we are going to reach a tentative agreement before school resumes on January 7th, we need the district to come back with a respectful, professional response to our last proposal. We need the members to e-mail, phone, or mail messages to the school board letting them know we want a settlement now.
Your message to them should be clear, professional, and respectful. When you send your message, please "cc" MFT at GetActive@mft59.org to let us know the messages are being heard.
A possible "script" for your message can be as follows:
I am a member of the teachers bargaining unit and I?m concerned about the lack of progress toward a professional contract settlement. After 8 months, we need to start the new year with a settlement so that we can remained focused on the work of educating MPS students.
Membership Meeting
On Wednesday, January 9th, we are going to have a Membership Meeting. We hope it will be to outline a tentative agreement. If not, we will discuss the steps necessary to bring about a resolution.
Your Negotiating Team continues to work hard on your behalf and hopes that the New Year brings a quick and positive resolution to negotiations.
In Solidarity,
Rob Panning-Miller |