Well, it took some time, but Bongo finally finished reading the first teacher contract proposals that were submitted by the school district and the Huntley Education Association. You can read them here (upper right hand corner of the page in the green box)
All Bongo can say is:
“NO WONDER THE TEACHERS UNION LEADERSHIP DIDN’T WANT OPEN NEGOTIATIONS!!”
First of all, Bongo must say that he thinks the school district's offer is too low. But it appears that they didn't completely lowball their initial offer either. It appears to be a low offer made in good faith to get the negotiations process rolling.
But even when keeping in mind that the proposals represent a starting point of a lengthy process, Bongo can’t help but wonder what the teachers’ union negotiators were thinking by putting such a ridiculous document out there for the whole world to see.
Notice Bongo says “teachers’ union negotiators” and not just “teachers.” Remember, Bongo loves teachers and thinks that for the most part they are underpaid. He holds them in very high esteem, right up there with a juicy raw steak or a dog toy filled with peanut butter. Up there in the same category are Bongo’s taxpaying friends in District 158, who will foot the bill for this new contract. Sadly, these negotiator-dogs are not considering the taxpayers right now and are painting a very negative image of the district’s teachers. School skeptics need only hold up this ridiculous document and say, “See, I told you they were greedy and lazy,” to prove the age-old allegation that “teachers are just in it for the money”.
Bongo has a very hard time believing the teachers union membership-at-large voted for this group to serve as their chief negotiating team. Come on, teachers, throw Bongo a bone here. Did you really vote for this team to represent you?
Bongo makes this distinction because he does not want the masses to come to the conclusion that all teachers are greedy. But as you’ll see from posts over the next few days, the union proposal is ludicrous. It would be ludicrous under the best of circumstances, but given today’s economy, and the upcoming budget year that this union leadership team KNOWS the school district is facing, well… shame on all of them. They should all be sent to their kennels with no supper.
Bongo looked high and low for the names of the negotiating team, but funny, their names are not on the document. But then again, if I helped to author that agressively-worded wish list, I wouldn’t want my name on it either. But then Bongo remembered a recent article in the Northwest Herald that listed their names. According to the article, Mark Stahl (Heineman 7th grade social studies), Christy Henderson (Chesak kindergarten), Carmen Tontillo (Leggee 2nd grade) and Kim Ashenbaugh (Conley 5th grade) are the lead negotiators, and Illinois Education Association advisers Dave Rathke and Susan Goudreau also are part of the team.
Now everyone say this 10 times out loud:
“A few bad apples don’t spoil the whole bunch. A few bad apples don’t spoil the whole bunch. A few bad apples don’t spoil the whole bunch…”
Over the next few days, Bongo will look at two main areas of the contract: salaries/benefits, and time spent teaching students. Check back on Saturday for an eye-opening look at what the union negotiating team is asking for in the area of salaries and benefits.
2 comments:
I too thought the wording used by the union negotiators did not show them in a good light. I understand asking for more than what you expect to get, but the rhetoric had a threatening tone to it. Almost a "give us what we want or else" tone. I hope the two sides can come together and be mutually respectful. The District needs to be fair with the teachers and the teachers have to be realistic. Great post Bongo! I can't wait until tomorrow!
Wow it took this observer time to read all the documnets. Nearly three times as large was the HEA as the district, but then again I think the district was in keeping with a point to start talking. I will tell you what this observer would like to see. I presentation made by both groups publicly to state there initial offers and cases, followed open question and answer session from the public. I know I am dreaming here because there are fears that such a forum presents oppotunity for both negative backlash and support to both sides. However let's face it; people and I mean all taxpayers, parents, teachers etc deserve to speak their mind if they wish and perhaps put a little realism into both the boards and HEA negotiators notebooks. Then take this information to the table and hammer out a fair and balanced approach
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