Teachers, ESPs, and Secretaries Stand United for a New Contract
On Thursday, March 26, the Haverhill Education Association presented a petition with the signatures of over 500 members to the School Committee. Hunking Teacher Tim Briggs, a resident and parent of Haverhill students addressed the Committee and read the petition on behalf of the membership.
Before reading and presenting the petition, Mr. Briggs said,
“[The HEA] would like it to be recognized that the union leadership and the HEA are one and the same. Contrary to recent and/or past references and inferences both in the news and via the department’s AlertNow system to parents, the union leadership and the HEA members stand as one. We recognize that all of us is stronger than one of us and none of us is stronger than all of us.”
Afterward, HEA President Joe Cunha addressed the members via email:
Dear Members,
We can all be proud of what we accomplished these past two weeks. Over 500 of us signed the petition to the School Committee and on a night with pouring rain over 150 members turned out at the School Committee Meeting to deliver the message that we want to be treated fairly and respectfully.
Speaking for you all, Tim Briggs let the Committee and Administration know that we are of one voice and all stand together. Tim received a full standing ovation from the gallery and even some of the committee members joined in the applause from their seats.
Thank you to the Action Team members for organizing this event.
Congratulations to you all for standing up for what you believe in!
Joe Cunha
The petition and photos of members packing the chamber and halls are below.
TO: The Haverhill School Committee
We, the undersigned are members of three bargaining units (teachers, clerical, and education support personnel) that make up the Haverhill Education Association. We have all been working without a contract since June 30, 2014. Settling a new contract before the end of this school year is important to all of us. Work with the HEA bargaining team and settle a fair contract now.