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For Immediate Release
June 2, 2017 Contact: Stephanie Mandeville National Education Association Rhode Island 401-463-9630 | 401-318-0410 smandeville@neari.org East Greenwich, R.I. – The East Greenwich Education Association (EGEA) met today to discuss the scope of their obligations under their newly ratified collective bargaining agreement. Of the teachers present, 72.5 percent voted to abide by the conditions and responsibilities set forth in the contract ratified on April 26, 2017. “We will teach. We will continue to put East Greenwich students and families first, but we will no longer undertake the many extra activities we have historically done,” said EGEA Negotiation Committee Chair Jo Anne Leach. “Just as the contract negotiated by the School Committee reflects its situation, our decision reflects ours.” Known as contract compliance, teachers agree to comply with their responsibilities as outlined in their contract. However, they will no longer perform the many extra volunteer actions not specified in the contract. These include but are not limited to:
“This action is to ensure the East Greenwich community recognizes the many voluntary contributions made by teachers to support and enhance the education of the students of East Greenwich Public Schools,” said EGEA Co-President Donna Hayes. “While EGEA remains committed to ensuring their students are provided with multiple and varied classroom experiences that support student learning, we cannot afford to offer extra, voluntary services which enhance learning outside of the classroom or the school day.” East Greenwich, R.I. – The East Greenwich Education Association (EGEA) has planned a silent protest at the East Greenwich Town Council/School Committee joint meeting on Monday, May 15 at 7pm at Swift Community Center, 121 Pierce St. to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the contract recently forced upon them.
“The Town Council has decided through their actions that teachers will suffer the consequences of their mismanagement, poor planning, and practices,” said Christina O’Day, an organizer of the event. “The purpose of this protest is to ensure council members see us for once. See the teachers that are bearing the brunt of the town’s economic woes.” Among the points that EGEA wants to communicate to the public are: • The schools are underfunded • Other town entities are not facing cuts • Fiscal mismanagement has caused the bleak economic outlook in the town • EG saved money on the backs of teachers “The easy thing to do is blame teachers. We teach; we don't manage budgets. I think if the taxpayers of East Greenwich are presented with all the facts, they would truly understand our concerns. What I know with certainty is that over 22 years of teaching, the cost of living has gone up and my overall financial package has eroded steadily,” O’Day said. EGEA recognizes the public – including their students – will witness their action and promises a professional, respectful protest. For Immediate Release
May 5, 2017 Contact: Stephanie Mandeville National Education Association Rhode Island 401-463-9630 smandeville@neari.org Facing arbitration, discouraged teachers ratify contract East Greenwich, R.I. – The East Greenwich Education Association (EGEA) on April 26 ratified the contract proposed by the East Greenwich School Committee. EGEA approved the agreement under duress as the school committee threatened further punitive measures if ratification did not take place. “Teachers are angry at the school committee and the town council for continuing to underfund the public schools of East Greenwich,” said Judi Cavanaugh, co-president of EGEA. “The actions of the council and school committee undervalue our teachers and East Greenwich educators feel disrespected by this oppressive contract.” Even though the school committee claimed moving teachers to a high-deductible health plan was to ensure that all municipal employees had equitable benefits, many of those other employees enjoy fringe and retirement benefits not available to the teachers. “EGEA acknowledges the Town of East Greenwich is facing financial issues, but is disappointed in the members of the school committee and the Town Council for making choices that put teachers last,” said JoAnne Leach, chair of the negotiating team. Despite the severe terms and conditions of employment forced by the school committee, East Greenwich teachers remain committed to their efforts in providing exemplary classroom experiences to their students. East Greenwich - The East Greenwich Education Association (EGEA) voted on February 8 to reject the East Greenwich School Committee’s contract offer. That offer would have resulted in significant pay cuts for newly hired teachers, a high-deductible health plan for employees teaching less than seven years, and language regarding class sizes harmful to students. In all, the contract offer would have crippled the district’s ability to attract and retain the best teachers.
Prior to the vote, teachers were informed that refusal to accept the offer would result in the school committee moving to arbitration, rather than resuming negotiations. In spite of this threat, the members rejected the offer. What follows explains why:
The choice between the offer and arbitration was, in fact, no choice at all. When the options are a bribe and a threat, East Greenwich teachers chose to stand up for their values and their students. Teachers voted no on the school committee’s offer. The EGEA encourages the school committee to return to the bargaining table. Contact: Stephanie Mandeville NEA Rhode Island Office: 401.463.9630 Mobile: 401.318.0410 smandeville@neari.org |
