So what has the LEA accomplished in those 48 days? If you have been checking this site frequently, you know that the union has been busy prepping for negotiations and keeping membership informed of various events and announcements. Here is the most recent summary of association actions -
- The Unit A negotiations team met with the school committee negotiating team on October 22nd. This meeting was organizational and an opportunity to meet all of the members of the negotiation teams. The school committee is represented by chairperson Andrea Wadsworth and Kathy Hall. The school committee team will also include the district's attorney, Fred Dupere. Joining the five members of the LEA team we will be Brad Brousseau, our MTA field representative. In addition to setting ground rules, the two groups outlined a beginning schedule for negotiation meetings. We will be meeting on the following dates: December 9 & 16, January 6 & 20, and February 3. All meetings begin at 4:30 and are capped at 2 hours. We meet in the LMHS library. While negotiation sessions are closed to the public, the LEA has reserved room A106 as our caucus room. Any Unit A LEA member is welcome to meet in the caucus room. If the negotiation team breaks for individual group discussions, the LEA team will meet in room A106 and any Unit A members present are welcome to participate in our discussions. Please see a negotiation team member if you have any questions about this opportunity.
- The results from the Unit A interviews are currently being analyzed by the LEA negotiation team. We are looking for areas of mutual concern throughout the district and items which can be addressed through collective bargaining. Our goal is to have a formal negotiation platform presented to the Executive Board and distributed to the membership by the December 9th negotiation meeting. Thank you to everybody who participated.
- The pre-retirement workshop has been scheduled. It will be on Wednesday, December 9 at 3:45 in room B123 at LMHS. Once again, a representative from MTA will be here to discuss various pre-retirement issues. So far, approximately 15 people have pre-registered. Please let me know if you would like to attend as I need to provide a head count.
- I was approached by many Unit C members asking about the relevance of the pre-retirement workshop to their unit. During these conversations, I realized that I had not included the Unit C information on retirement on the LEA website. I apologize for that oversight. A link to the the Berkshire County Retirement Board has been placed under the retirement tab. I have placed a call inquiring as to if the BCRB offers information sessions. I will let you know what I find out.
- Finally, I encourage all LEA members to consider participating in the Berkshire United Way Annual Drive. I personally, have been giving through pre-tax payroll deduction for over 10 years. Some years I have identified a specific organization to receive my gift, or I let United Way allocate the gift. Contributions can be given in any amount. I have included a graphic of ways that United Way has helped our kids from Lee. If you are interested in participating, please let me know.
Well, it looks like that is it for now. I hope that this note finds you all well and not too freaked out that there are only 52 shopping days left until Christmas. No pressure, people!
Take care,
Amy
