Hello, teachers!

I'm pleased to read that you've made progress in bargaining, but I'm disheartened NOT to read that AAEA is passively accepting the staff cuts. I think it's good that your team avoided layoffs, but now AAPS has shifted that threat onto other unions, and we're next in line to bargain. We're actually still in extended negs. over our raise for last year (they say 1%, we want 2%). I totally agree with C.C.'s previous comment:

"I wish to highlight the need for action by all of our members and not just the usual suspects! This needs to be ongoing action that is likely to bring about the changes we support and not a reaction to whatever upsets us at the moment. (Hey, at least earn your right to complain after you've worked your butt off and still not been able to get the changes desired!) We need to be unified, pro-active, political, and get our issues acted upon!"

We, the driver's are not in a very strong position vis-a-vis management. Most of my coworkers feel that your bargaining sets the standards for our ours. As it appears that you're taking concessions in wages, I'm worried about my future. So, I wanted "to highlight the need for action" by ALL OUR UNIONS.

Reading the A2News report, I was dismayed by the lack solidarity in Linda Carter's remarks. Having avoided layoffs for teachers, the union (AAEA) seems to be done fighting against staff cuts. But an injury to one is an injury to all; the slow erosioni of decent educational support jobs, leads to the collapse of direct educator jobs, and quality education in general.

I don't wish to sound accusatory at all. I simply mean to say that we all need each other, and at this critical moment (bargaining season) it's essential. They (AAPS) are using staff cuts as a threat to soften unions in bargaining. It seems to me that your dismal raises reflect the effectiveness of this fear tactic.

I was there, with some of my coworkers, last year when you picketted. I still support you, and I have the utmost respect for what you do (I taught for several years, myself). If your members decide that they want to keep bargaining and reject this TA, I'll be there to picket with you. I hope you'll come out and support us, too, if that's where we end up.

But, as C.C. said, we have to make this a political fight and attack the root causes: school funding at the federal and state levels.

Solidarity!