Good Evening,
Thank you to everyone who was able to make it to tonight’s general membership meeting. We had a great discussion about the challenges posed by Riley’s demand to return to full in-person learning by April 5th. The Executive Committee noted the many concerns that were raised about the expected reduction in physical distancing, the likely disruptions to teachers’ working environments, class rosters, and case loads, and the fact that vaccination has only just become available to most educators very recently. Those in attendance believe that under current conditions, Haverhill simply isn’t ready to make this transition so quickly.
Unfortunately, the School Committee seems intent on imposing Commissioner Riley’s unilateral demands upon us, and we expect that the Superintendent will present a plan for them to vote on at tomorrow’s School Committee meeting. The Executive Committee and negotiating team are committed to doing all we can to protect the health and safety of every member. We have a robust group of elementary school teachers who have already volunteered to serve on this team. We could use another middle school and high school teacher or two.
ESPs also provided the membership with an update on their fight for a living wage in contract negotiations. There was broad agreement between educators from all units that we need to continue with our efforts to highlight the plight of our ESPs and increase our engagement with the community.
The members in attendance committed to the following actions, and ask all our union siblings to join us in solidarity with our ESPs:
- Continue with “Black Thursday” tomorrow and every Thursday by wearing #HEAStrong tshirts to work. (ESPs continue to “display your pay” on your back!)
- Stand out in front of your building before contract hours tomorrow morning for visibility. If you can, bring any ESP yard signs, homemade signs, etc. We know it’s short notice for tomorrow morning, but we will continue this every “Black Thursday” until ESPs have won a living wage.
- Share pictures of your stand outs and ESP signs in this Google Drive Folder!
- Join us tomorrow, 3/11 for a stand out/rally at the School Committee meeting. We will gather outside City Hall beginning at 6:30 pm with signs and our black #HEAStrong tshirts before the meeting begins and have some members attend the in-person meeting inside (following all physical distance protocols). To sign up for remote public comment, complete this form by 3pm.
The Action Team will meet on Monday afternoon to develop a plan to increase community engagement in this fight and win their support for a living wage for ESPs. An email will go out to the Action Team with the time and link to join the meeting tomorrow.
To join either the Action Team or our next bargaining team, simply reply to this email.
In Solidarity,
Anthony
Anthony J. Parolisi
President
Haverhill Education Association