GEA-Action.org

GEA Members,

YOUR COLLEAGUES NEED YOU,

on Thursday, May 13,

to participate in A GEA RALLY

TO SHOW UNITY FOR A CONTRACT SETTLEMENT!

The Rally will start at 4:30 PM – at the East County Regional Education Center on the corner of Mollison and East Main Street in El Cajon.  Click here to check Google Maps for directions.

Some GEA members have committed to BRING UMBRELLAS – as a sign that the district needs to fulfill its past promise -- that it will use its reserves on the rainy day.  It is raining now!

LINKED BELOW are documents to help you CALCULATE THE IMPACT OF THE CURRENT DISTRICT PROPOSAL ON YOU. The work sheet provides an estimate of the cuts to your salary and the increases in health benefit costs for you.

• Calculate Loses Worksheet
• Health Benefits Estimates
• Salary Schedule

The GEA negotiating team and the district’s team will be in mediation prior to the rally, and GEA WILL REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF MEDIATION AT THE RALLY -- or if district leaders continue to rush toward imposing their most recent proposal.

SEE YOU AT THE RALLY!

In solidarity,

Fran Zumwalt

GEA President

On April 15, 2010, teachers, counselors, librarians, school psychologists and speech patholiogists attended the GEA RALLY from 5 to 6:30 PM, listened to music, carried signs and chanted slogans in support of re-opening negotiations and reaching a contract settlement prior to the Grossmont School Board meeting.

There was no doubt -- District administration and the Grossmont Board of Trustees felt the resolve of ALL the GEA members present. 

Fran Zumwalt (06), GEA President spoke before the board during public comment, and her speech can be read below.

Linda Pierce (01), the GEA Bargaining chair, shared with members that the district had declared IMPASSE, and that a mediator was scheduled to meet with the district and GEA on May 13.  Depending upon how the mediation goes a settlement could be reached, or the mediator may recommend a fact finding meeting be scheduled.  Check this web site for more information regarding the impasse process.

Bryan Ross (10), GEA Vice President, reminded the crowd that the district revealed the largest ending balance in Grossmont history of $32 million dollars for 2008-2009.  This was after the district had claimed 100 GEA members would have to be laid off and GEA members would have to accept furlough days to maintain a balanced budget.

James Messina (06), GEA Rep, bargaining team member, Exec Board Member, and GEA Organizing Chair and the GEA Organizing team are to be commended for preparing signs, and leading the participants in their march and slogan chants.

West Hills English teacher, Laura Preble sang new lyrics about Bob Collins to the tune of "Take the money and run."

A slide show of the GEA Rally can be seen at the top of this web site.

It was terrific for all GEA-RALLY participants (including children who enjoyed getting red balloons) to recognize and cheer eight Grossmont teachers of the year... including Michelle Tribble (Granite HIlls) and Reuben Hoffman (West Hills) who were honored by crowd and by the Grossmont School Board as teachers of the year for the district.  In addition, Rebecca Basilio (Valhalla), Marta Jiacoletti (Grossmont), Kelly Logan (El Capitan), Thomas Gomes (Mt. Miguel), John Barnes (El Cajon) and Adam Krzywicki (Monte Vista), were recognized as teachers of the year for their school.  All of these honorees wore RED T-shirts or red clothing to reflect their respect for all GEA members in their fight to reach a contract settlement. Two teachers of the year could not attend due to family concerns, including Jennifer Hudson (Santana) and Tom Downer (Alternative Ed).

Thanks to ALL those who attended the Rally.  The GEA Organizing committee will meet next week to plan future events.  Check GEA-ACTION.org for future updates.

President Shield and School Board Members, Superintendent and Cabinet,

My name is Fran Zumwalt and I am the democratically elected President of the 1000 member Grossmont Education Association.

My association members are concerned about the focus the Grossmont District continues to take.

We appreciate the recognition of our teachers of the year… But our members -- whose great work is represented by the teachers you have honored -- are concerned that the district is NOT FOCUSING ON WHAT SHOULD BE ITS PRIMARY CONCERN -- Ending impasse and negotiating a contract settlement.

GEA members have been without a contract for two years.

I am asking you, the Grossmont School Board, to STOP and REFOCUS the district’s attention on the 1000 educators directly impacted by Superintendent Collins’ decision to declare impasse.

GEA is willing to return to the bargaining table.

Last September, the superintendent told us the Grossmont District was in better financial shape than most districts in the State of California. Yet, Bob Collins wants 1000 Grossmont educators to accept the most extreme and punitive contract proposal in the county. GEA believes this proposal is equivalent to a 10 percent cut for our members.

Clearly there are statewide budget concerns.  Just as clearly, the Grossmont District is in a position to offer GEA a proposal better than any other offered countywide -- and one that values its educators.

San Diego City and Sweetwater, despite spending down their reserves more than Grossmont has, reached contract agreements with their teachers. Surely a similar settlement can be found for Grossmont.

But to do that, we must go back to the bargaining table.

Choosing the path of IMPASSE has consequences.

Teachers and counselors -- all GEA Members -- feel disrespected and devalued.

They took action tonight to show you their resolve and determination -- and their unity -- for returning to the bargaining table and negotiating a contract settlement.

It is time to move in a different direction – away from the consequences no one wants.

It is time to find a viable and reasonable contract settlement.

It is time to STOP and REFOCUS.

Let’s get back to the bargaining table - and lets do it soon.

Thank you.

Fran Zumwalt, GEA President