Hello Everyone,
Last night, more than half of all of the Haverhill ESPs in our union gathered for a general meeting to discuss the most recent proposals by the School Committee. The members of the bargaining team were able to provide all who attended with a brief overview of negotiations. After many sessions over the past year, the School Committee has continued to reject our living wage demands, opting instead to hold strongly to their measly proposals.
The members at the meeting decided overwhelmingly that the time for action is NOW, voting to authorize actions to show the School Committee that they are through being undervalued and disrespected:
- Starting this Thursday, and every Thursday until a fair contract has been ratified, we are asking ALL HEA MEMBERS to wear their black HEA shirt (or black if you do not own one) to school. We are asking all ESPs to reach out to the teachers and other union members in their buildings and ask them to participate to show clear and unmistakable solidarity (we still have some more #HEAStrong tees available – reach out to your building rep if you need one!).
- Display your pay! Each ESP is asked to create and wear a sign on their back each day they work in the building showing your WEEKLY wage AFTER taxes (the amount you get on your check after deductions, divided by 2).
- Take photos in groups (physically distanced, of course) or as individuals displaying your signs – remember to turn your back to camera so your sign can be read. If the School Committee has turned its back on us, it’s time for us to turn around and fight for change!
- Upload your photos to this Google Drive folder so we can share on our social media pages. The School Committee has claimed we already make enough money for the work we do. We must show the community how little we are actually valued.
- Join us for our next bargaining session, March 23rd at 4:30 PM!To participate as an observer, email Maureen Zuber (mzuberhea@gmail.com) by March 19th. The bargaining team would love to have EVERY ESP present!
We need to stand together as one! When workers stand together in solidarity, and show that they are willing to take action to get what they deserve – what we have deserved for many years – those in power can be moved to change their positions. Most of us have heard about the success of our union brothers and sisters at GLTS and how their School Committee agreed to the staff’s demands when they heard that action was even a possibility!
When we fight, we win… and now is the time to fight!
In Solidarity,
ESP Action Team