Thursday, May 14, 2015 3:15-5:15
Starting Time: 3:19 Adjournment Time: 5:20
Agenda:
- Welcome
- Presentation of Agenda
- CEA Bylaws Revision
- Proposed Bylaws Amendments
- President’s Remarks
- Officer Reports
- Old Business
- New Business
CEA Bylaw Revisions
Revised bylaws read.
Article IV.4.F Replace teachers with CEA staff
Appendix A: Unit B, D, E Coordinator (effective day)
Question of equity was raised between Units.
Concern over increase in Building Rep responsibilities without pay
Shall=must
Motion to end debate and call the question. Passed.
Bylaws Revision Failed
Bylaw Amendment: Dues Increase
Bylaw Amendment read.
Concern over spending more money than we’re gaining
Request to lower MTA and NEA dues
Dues increase to keep out of red
Motion to end debate and call the question. Passed.
Dues Increase Failed
Bylaw Amendment: Unit A Negotiation Team Stipend
Bylaw Amendment read.
Concern over paying instead of volunteer for negotiation team
Discuss similar amendment for other Units.
Question whether leadership should inform each person
Motion to end debate and call the question. Passed.
Unit A Negotiation Team Stipend Failed
Bylaw Amendment: President Release Time
Bylaw Amendment read.
Chuck rationalized the demands of the job and compared to other unions
Comparison of SPED salary to CEA president
Question about do we need school committee approval to pass this?
Concern over double dipping with both jobs
Question about spending more money when we’re already in the red
Motion to end debate and call the question. Passed.
President Release Time Failed
Bylaw Amendment: Unit D Coordinator Stipend
Bylaw Amendment read.
Concern over Grievance loss
Question of equity was raised between Units.
Question of Unit D flying solo
Motion to end debate and call the question. Passed.
Unit D Coordinator Stipend Failed
Starting Time: 5:28 Adjournment Time: 6:15
President’s Remarks
Thanked Chicopee High School for hosting
Introductions abound
Unit A is too complacent to come to General Meeting.
Chuck is a little disappointed over the general meeting and the lack of turn out.
Recording Secretary Report
Motion accepted and passed
Corresponding Secretary Report
No report
Email jsurprise@chicopeeeducators.org when we know something happens. More info is better than less.
Grievance Chair Report
Unit E will hopefully be putting language concerning Involuntary Transfers
Motion accepted and passed
Treasurer Report
Not present, no report.
Old Business
2014 General Meeting Vote Results – The results concerning hiring procedure was 28 for, 20 opposed. Did not pass with 2/3 majority.
Units B, D, and E Negotiations Update – This is the biggest priority for this year.
Unit B seems favorable for approval, waiting on School Committee.
Unit D doesn’t have an MTA rep working with them. Not much is known of progress.
Unit E meets next on May 28th to give presentations to School Committee
MTA Delegate Meeting – 5/9, reconciled finances via membership overestimate leading to no MTA dues increase. Due to outgoing Chancellor of UMass not paying retro, MTA summer conference has been canceled. Potentially salvaged programs in Springfield. Amendment made to create lesson plans to raise awareness of School-to-Prison Pipeline.
Elementary Report Cards – Significant changes have been made for next year. Not all schools have gotten revised report cards. Not as many changes were made as were initially desired.
New Business
Political Action Meeting – Surprise attended on 5/11. Share impact of MTA proposed legislation to state legislatures. Surprise shared personal story of DDM misuse. Heard of summer conference cancelation.
Corresponding Secretary Position – Surprise had concerns about how he could fulfill the job. There are financial implications by his position. He is uncomfortable without the bylaw change to account for the Cheer Fund. Specifically, he is uncomfortable about sending more expensive gifts (>Cheer Fund as originally written) without approval from the Board. The Cheer Fund is currently not on our website and not in our bylaws. The Cheer Fund needs to be updated via procedural change.
Educational Meeting – June 18, it concerns H340 which pertains to the high stakes testing. Hoping to gain momentum via a thank you letters to Humason. Perhaps bring someone to testify.
Next meeting at Chicopee Comprehensive High School, June 11