Resolution - Reforming United Teachers of Richmond (UTR) Election Process Submitted by Diane Brown and Margaret Browne, UTR Members

http://Resolution1 Whereas, the Progressive Teachers of the United Teachers of Richmond (UTR)
2 have been organizing to reform our election procedures to use a Scantron ballot
3 and machine, and current UTR elections do not guarantee one-person, one vote
4 Whereas, the members do not control their ballots:
5 School site representatives (shop stewards) distribute ballots
6 Conduct elections, return the marked ballots to UTR to be hand-counted
7 Whereas, The Progressive Teachers used the initiative guidelines in the UTR,
8 the California Teachers Association (CTA) Standing Rules:
9 45 days to gather signatures of at least 10% of active members
10 5 days for the chapter president to verify the signatures, put the initiative
11 Before the members for a vote
12 Whereas, at the February UTR Representative Council meeting, Don Dawson,
13 the CTA Board of Directors member, informed representatives that CTA’s board
14 voted in July 2006 to change the initiative guidelines and that all CTA
15 affiliates must comply, the changed guidelines are:
16 15 calendar days to gather signatures of 60 percent of active members
17 30 days for the chapter president to verify signatures
18 Whereas, the California Teachers Association, National Education Association,
19 the United Educators of San Francisco and other affiliates use
20 an election machine in their election and balloting process,
21 Therefore be it resolved, that the Progressive Teachers of UTR declare its
22 opposition to the changed guidelines and that CTA has taken away members’
23 right to an initiative, and
24 Be it further resolved, this is democracy for the few, the labor aristocracy, not
25 the many, rank-and-file teachers, and
26 Be it finally resolved, the Progressive Teachers of UTR continue to inform
27 the members of (UTR), United Teachers of Richmond about the initiative, and
28 urge them to support a fair election process for the rank-and-file teachers, and
29 this resolution is recorded and submitted for the minutes of the April 30, 2008
30 UTR Representative Council meeting.

Open Letter to the UTR Bargaining Team

Dear Colleagues:

This letter is the product of conversations among several concerned UTR members, Site Reps and rank-and-file members alike. We are voicing the following priorities and expectations to the UTR Bargaining Team. Our prime message is "No Givebacks!"

The following is what we hope to see in a forthcoming contract agreement:
Maintain current salary schedule + COLA
Full coverage for Kaiser and Blue
Shield
Allowance for each teacher toward out-of-pocket classroom
expenses
Maintain class size limits without averages

Members have also requested:
Names of bargaining team members
(some members have requested email addresses.)
Detailed email updates on bargaining
Email bargaining updates during the summer
Bargaining is not beginning until late May, when summer vacation is about to begin.
More lead time to digest information on tentative agreement before vote

People are most accountable when they are in contact with those they are representing. We feel that it is vital for the Bargaining Team to maintain communication with the unit members.


Note: We are seeking advocacy from the UTR Bargaining Team and will continue circulation of the open letter to gain support from the membership. To request a letter contact Diane Brown at diamel@aol.com