Date: Mon, May 14, 2012 at 2:21 PM
Subject: Time to help our brothers and sisters
To: John.Lorang@oregoned.org
Friends,
I’m not telling you anything new when I say that these are
challenging times. Thom Hartmann compares some of efforts of the 1 %s to the
Robber-Barons of the late 19th century when powerful American
businessmen used questionable practices to amass their wealth. I think it’s a
accurate comparison. All working class and lower class as well as most middle
class people are hurt. Many of us are seeing efforts by School Boards to get us
to make permanent concessions.
Chemeketa faculty have been working without a contract since
July 1, 2011. Their bargaining team has had to fight just to try to maintain
status quo on some financial issues, so they don’t lose too bad to inflation.
There is some hope of finding a settlement but nothing is certain. Their next
bargaining session is June 1, 2012. At this time, the Chemeketa FA is not
asking for help, but this could change.
Of immediate concern are
our brothers and sisters at Eagle Point and at Reynolds. Reynolds just
voted to authorize a strike and are waiting to get their strike sanctioned by
OEA. We’ll give you a more complete update on them at a later
date.
Eagle Points
has been on strike since last Tuesday, May 8, 2012. The District closed on Monday, May 7, so
they could spend time and money on union breaking tactics instead of negotiating
an agreement. This is a classic union-breaking effort on the part of Eagle
Point management. I encourage you to do a search on Eagle Point Strike and get
your members to do the same. Here is one of my favorite you tube links.
à http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcAAG66YR_M I think it’s worth the six minutes to
watch it and it’s also worth time to plan how you can support these folks
fighting for all of us.
Here
are some ways you can help. Call the school district and tell them to
get serious and to bargain a fair settlement; be creative. I sent you one
number yesterday [541-830-6578] There are others to try at the end of
the video linked above. Go to the Eagle Point Education Facebook page and
provide supporting input. [Rogue, Umpqua and Klamath faculty could attend
rallies in person. Activities are listed on Eagle
Point
Please do what you
can to help our colleagues in Eagle Point.
[For your
reference, I’m appending a message below that Marilyn Pitts sent to her
members.]
In
Solidarity!
John
Lorang
"Labor
is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor,
and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the
superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration."
Abraham
Lincoln
-------------------------------------appended message-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part-time faculty & tutors,
For the last week, teachers in Eagle Point School District (in Jackson County) have been on strike. As of today, the schools have reopened with "subs." Tomorrow, a mediation session is scheduled.
Please take a couple of minutes to support our union colleagues in Eagle Point by doing one of the following things:
1. Using the Human Resources phone number provided by the district for teachers to call to indicate that they're [not] crossing the picket line (541-830-6578), call the district and encourage them to settle.
2. Using your personal email, contact the Eagle Point Board members (see below) and encourage them to settle.
Board Member information taken from the EPSD website:
MARK BATEMAN
Position #5; Term expires - 6/30/2013
Email: batemanmd9@clearwire.net<mailto:b2backflow@clearwire.net>
TED DOLE
Position #1; Term expires - 6/30/2015
Email: dolet@eaglepnt.k12.or.us<mailto:dolet@eaglepnt.k12.or.us>
Ted is active in D9 sports and is currently an executive member of the Upper Rogue Cal Ripkin Board of Directors. Ted has three children, two of them attending D9 schools. He and his family reside in Eagle Point.
SCOTT GRISSOM
Position #2; Term expires - 6/30/2013
Email: mightysg@gmail.com<mailto:mightysg@gmail.com>
Scott is in his third term on the School Board, having been elected in 2001. He is currently the Board’s senior serving member, with nine years on the School Board. Scott is a graduate of School District 9 in addition to being a life long resident of the region, currently residing in the Lake Creek area.
JIM MANNENBACH
Position #2; Term expires - 6/30/2013
Email: mannenbachj@eaglepnt.k12.or.us<mailto:mannenbachj@eaglepnt.k12.or.us>
Jim is in his first term on the School Board. He spent all 31 years of his teaching career teaching EPHS students. Jim has also been an advisor, coach and advocate for the students of this District. All four of his children attended Eagle Point Schools K-12.
MARY ANN OLSEN
Position #4; Term expires - 6/30/2015
Email: olsenm@eaglepnt.k12.or.us<mailto:olsenm@eaglepnt.k12.or.us>
Mary Ann is in her second term on the School Board. Before her time on the School Board, she was an active member of several different Eagle Point community organizations. Mary Ann is also a retired teacher, serving for nearly three decades educating thousands of middle and elementary students. Mary Ann is a resident of Eagle Point.
In case you'd like more information, here's
* the district's website: http://www.eaglepnt.k12.or.us/
* the union's website: http://www.epead9.org/
Working on your behalf,
Marilyn
Marilyn Pitts
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