Updates

By Joe Kiriaki, Executive Director
September 3, 2010

2011-13 Teacher Salary and Welfare Agreement is Ratified
The teacher membership voted to ratify the 2011-13 Salary and Welfare Agreement.  The voting process concluded at the end of the day this past Monday with the counting of absentee ballots.
The contract was ratified overwhelmingly.  The School Board voted on August 31, 2010, at a Special School Board meeting to ratify the contract as well.
Final proofing of changes to the 2009-2011 teacher contract will be completed next week.  Very shortly you will receive your copies.  Soon afterward, the 2011-2013 contracts will be available as well.
Now we can move into a new school year with new opportunities and challenges.  Good luck and best wishes for a very successful school year.  We will work expeditiously to focus on the joint committees we will establish to work on many of the concerns and issues you’re faced with in your classrooms.

Jobs Bill Funds for Kenosha
As a result of passage of the recent Jobs Bill, Kenosha will receive an additional $4,232,263 in funding to pay for jobs that may have been lost due to layoffs.  In Kenosha, however, because a number of attritions occurred, there were no layoffs.  We will be working to restore those jobs that were eliminated as a result and any jobs eliminated as a result of budget considerations.   This week we made a comprehensive request for information regarding this funding.  We will be meeting with the District soon to discuss the use of these funds.
Again, welcome back from a well-deserved and hopefully enjoyable summer break!

Labor Day

By Mary Modder, President
September 3, 2010

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It is a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union (CLU).  In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, and the CLU urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. By 1894 most of the states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers; and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

The first proposed celebration was a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. As the vital force of labor has added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known, it is appropriate that we pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.

The KEA will join the labor community once again at Laborfest at the St Therese Picnic Grounds (22nd Ave. and 91st St.).  We will be passing out crayons and balloons along with a back-to-school coloring activity.  As always, many hands make light work, so we would appreciate any members who can join us for an hour or two at the KEA booth.  Please contact Mary Modder at 262-224-1525 if you have some time to help.  This year’s Laborfest is on Monday, September 6, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

First Interpreters’ Contract Bargained by KEA Ratified

By Marinus van Kuilenburg, Assistant Executive Director
Seotember 3, 2010

After meeting only two times, the Kenosha Unified School District and the Kenosha Education Association reached a Tentative Agreement for the 2009-2012 Interpreters Salary and Welfare Agreement. On August 31, 2010, it was ratified by both the interpreters and the School Board.

The most important achievements are a stronger grievance procedure with longer timelines and the inclusion of binding arbitration, an extended layoff notice, addition of FMLA language to sick leave, the move to the WEA Trust as the health insurance carrier, the availability of short-term disability insurance, and wage increases of 3 percent, 3 percent, and 2.5 percent across the board for the three contract years. Finally, for the last two years of the contract, two extra steps were added to the salary schedule.

Bargaining was stressful. Nevertheless, the fact that all interpreters in the bargaining unit were heavily involved in the bargaining process made it more bearable.

As a team we should be proud of the result!

Voting FAQ’s

How do I register to vote?

• You may register by mail, in person, or at the polling place on election day.
• For more information: http://gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/voters/registration-voting

When do I vote?

• Primary Election Day is Tuesday, September 14, 2010.

What time can I vote?

• Polls are open on election day from 7 a.m.—8 p.m.

Where do I vote?

• Contact your municipal clerk's office or your Board of Elections for polling locations.
• Or enter your home address at https://vpa.wi.gov/AddressSearchScreen.aspx?Language=en-us

What if I am not going to be around that day?

• Request an absentee ballot by mail:

Download the Application for Absentee Ballot at http://gab.wi.gov/sites/default/files/gab_forms/4/gab_121_application_for_absentee_ballot_rev_06_20_10458.pdf
Complete the form and mail to your municipal clerk's office, which can be found at http://elections.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=10506&locid=47
Application must be received by no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 9, 2010.

• Request an absentee ballot in person:

A registered voter can request an absentee ballot in person up until 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2010, from their municipal clerk.

This is an 11.29 communication with WEAC members.

 

Are you a Cooperating Teacher?

Help your practicum student or student teacher take his/her first step into his/her professional career.  Share with your future colleague the following benefits of joining Student WEA for less than $35 (state and national dues are $26; local chapter fees vary):

• Personal Liability Insurance ($1,000,000) while student teaching in your classroom (the same that YOU have!)

• Rebate off of NEA dues as a first year teacher

($20 per year of Student membership for up to four years of Student membership)

• NEA Teacher Toolkit access (free!)

• Access to Student WEA and WEAC conferences

(Student WEA Fall Professional Development Seminar, WEAC Winter Conference, and Summer Academy)

• Opportunity to participate in Outreach to Teach – Student WEA’s premiere community outreach project

• OnWEAC Savers Club Card for discounts nationwide

• Membership to your Statewide Professional Association

Go to www.weac.org/Student-WEA for online membership sign-up.

Some Important Dates to remember.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

• Personal Financial Planning Consultations Available through WEAC

  WEAC Member Benefits Specialist Bob Moeller will be providing personal financial planning appointments for members at the Kenosha Education Association on Tuesday, August 10. Appointments are also available at the Madison WEAC Office throughout the summer. This is a valuable, no-cost member service. To schedule an appointment, contact Diana Buchholz at 1-800-362-8034, extension 253.