"Safe Schools Rally" - a rally will take place next Saturday, the 3rd of May, at Calder Plaza between 1pm-3pm.

Remember teacher appreciation day May 6. Please celebrate this by going to the polls and voting for:

Tony Baker (1 year term)

Gordon Griffin (4 year term)

Derrick Martin (4 year term)

CLICK HERE if you are a GREA member to sign up for vital updates.

Bargaining Update
 

Our last bargaining meeting was fruitless -- again.

Our next meeting is scheduled for May 22 (with a possibility of also sneaking one in on the 20^th). Our future bargaining meetings will be held with a Mediator as per the District's request.

Contrary to popular belief, mediation is not a binding process for our contractual negotiations (or we would have asked for it some time ago) -- in other words, the Mediator is NOT empowered to make judgments that force one side or the other to make concessions. Strategically, the only reason the District has to ask for Mediation is to allow them to declare impasse and IMPOSE a contract of their choosing. The title of their most recent offer (GRPS FINAL PROPOSAL TO GREA 4/3/2008), as well as the decision to bold the word "final" seems to confirm this intent. 

The MEA has filed for fact finding in response to this action. We await the State's decision on the appointment of a fact finder. Imposition of a contract cannot occur until fact finding is completed. Members who would like more information should sign up for the member's section at the top of the page. Several e-mails have already gone out to members on a variety of issues, so if you have signed up as a member you should have a good idea what's going on (unless the messages are going into your SPAM filter -- call the office for help).

Current School Board President Hoskins has stated quite clearly that Superintendent Taylor's continued anti-teacher actions are the result of instructions given by Pres. Hoskins and the Board. I think we all know where this is going (even though it's been 20+ years) if the current Board remains in power...

On May 6^th, voters have the opportunity to replace 3 of our current board members with individuals who understand that workplace loyalty is not best gained by insulting the dedication of the people who do the work. Please consider joining us in our support of the following School Board candidates:

Tony Baker (1 year term)                         Gordon Griffin (4 year term)         Derrick Martin (4 year term)

http://www.tonybakerforgrschools.com     http://gordondgriffin.com             derrickpmartin08@aol.com

You can help support these candidates by contacting their election committees and volunteering. In addition, you can assist them by helping to defray the cost of campaigning for office by making a contribution over the internet on their websites.