Respected Colleagues,

Mediation has reached a critical period.

GEA and District negotiators met on Thursday, May 27, (yesterday) in an effort to reach a contract settlement, despite the fact that PERB has declared we are at IMPASSE.

A settlement was not reached, but both the GEA and district bargaining teams agreed to meet again next week (Tuesday or Friday).

We are still scheduled for a second mediation session with the PERB mediator on June 7.

The GEA Bargaining Team is CERTAIN of the following:

A) The pressure created by the COLLECTIVE ACTION OF MORE THAN 800 GEA MEMBERS at the May 13th Grossmont School Board meeting inspired the district to meet with GEA on the May 27th -- and next week -- in an effort to negotiate a settlement.

B) The pressure of COLLECTIVE ACTION BY GEA MEMBERS MAKES A DIFFERENCE AND MUST CONTINUE -- if we are to reach a fair contract settlement.

REMEMBER WHAT IS AT STAKE (The District's proposal = 10% in CUTS)

1. 5% Salary reduction (a permanent "recalibration"),
   
   
2. 5 furlough days (2.7% reduction),
   
   
3. A Cap to health benefits (2 to 2.5%),
   
   
4. Unbundle retirement health benefits ($400-$500 monthly cost passed on to retirees), and
   
   
5. The option for the district TO TAKE MORE FROM YOU if district revenue PREDICTIONS get worse!

2008-2009 ENDING BALANCE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2009 = $32 MILLION

2009-2010 ENDING BALANCE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2010 (DISTRICT PREDICTED) = $23.4 MILLION

A 10 PERCENT CUT TO GEA MEMBERS = $8.5 MILLION -- AND WOULD ENABLE A 2009-2010 ENDING BALANCE GREATER THAN THE $23.4 MILLION THE DISTRICT PROJECTS WILL EXIST IN SEPTEMBER 2010.

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW:

PARTICIPATE IN COLLECTIVE ACTION NEXT WEEK -- See the attached JUNE PARENT INFORMATION PICKET SCHEDULE. Note when your school's Reps plan your school's before school picket (either June 2 or June 3 next week). WEAR your RED T-shirt that day -- and help distribute a new PARENT UPDATE flier to parents before school starts.

Thank you in advance for your POWERFUL COLLECTIVE ACTION on the PARENT INFORMATION PICKET!

Together we are stronger!

In Solidarity -- AND -- Have a safe weekend!

Fran Zumwalt, GEA President

GEA - BEFORE SCHOOL – JUNE 2 AND 3 PARENT LEAFLETING SCHEDULE