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Every year at the National Education Association Representative Assembly and sometimes even at the Washington Education Association Representative Assembly delegates introduce New Business Items (NBI’s) which appear to have little to do with public education. They range from support for death row inmates to addressing genocide in Sudan or the war in Iraq. In nearly every case these NBI’s never get acted upon because the body passes an “object to consideration” motion when they come up. Although I sometimes agree with the sentiments in the NBI’s I nearly always vote with the majority to refuse to discuss the issue. I believe that if I want to voice my opinion on capital punishment or the war in Iraq I can join the Peace and Justice Action League or some similar organization to do so. The WEA and NEA have enough serious issues to deal with without taking on causes that don’t directly relate to public education. Most delegates to the RA’s agree. So what does Wal Mart have to do with public education and why do the WEA and NEA regularly speak out against the retail giant.
The most common complaints heard about Wal Mart center around how they treat their workers, wages, benefits, hiring of undocumented aliens and other work relates issues. Other arguments deal with the negative impact on other businesses in the community and on public services especially in small towns and rural areas. These are issues that concern me and apparently many others as well. However, other big corporations have similar characteristics and impact on the community.
So why single out Wal Mart? There is more to the picture. In addition to the above mentioned issues, more than any other company or corporation that I know-Wal Mart has repeatedly taken stances and donated millions of dollars to anti-public education and anti union causes. The Walton family has contributed millions of dollars to anti public education causes such as private school voucher initiatives and anti public education political action committees and so called “think tanks” such as the Evergreen Freedom Foundation. They are also vehemently anti union and have gone to such lengths as to close down stores where attempts to unionize have taken place.
When combined, all of the above place Wal Mart in a league of their own. Their business and political activities have made them the target of child labor groups, immigrant labor groups, environmental groups, local neighborhood groups and state legislatures across the nation.
The WEA and NEA have not painted a target on Wal Mart, Wal Mart painted it on themselves.
I personally would rather have a root canal than shop at Wal Mart.
However, all this being said, I still don’t think it is my place to tell you where to shop. Spend your hard earned money where you like, but make an informed decision when you do so.
For more information on Wal Mart and their practices go to www.nea.org and click on Facts about Wal Mart. kr
SALARY INCREASE AT 3.3% FOR 06-07
In the recently completed supplementary budget passed by the Washington State Legislature the amount of salary increase for Washington’s K-12 public school teachers will be 3.3%. It also included an increase in monthly benefit money to hopefully keep up with insurance premium increases next year. This salary boost occurred because of the work of the WEA in sponsoring the COLA initiative in 1999, the support of legislators and the intense lobbying by WEA lobbyists during the session.
ELECTION RESULTS
Elections for the Executive Board of the Central Valley Education Association were held last month. A special thanks to all who chose to throw their hats in the ring to represent fellow members. It is a big commitment and their willingness to serve is appreciated. CVEA Officers for the 2005-2006 school year are as follows:
Congratulations and thanks to all!
In addition to the above uncontested election the membership also voted on a proposal to change the Association By Laws to increase the President’s salary from .6 to .8 of the president’s position on the salary schedule. That proposal passed 78% to 22%.
This proposal prompted several members to ask questions regarding the impact of the above vote on dues for next year. As was explained in a newsletter article several months ago, because we are going to pay off the mortgage on the office this summer it will not be necessary to raise the rate of dues collection to fund the increase in the president’s salary.
However, because our CVEA By Laws set the dues as a percentage of the base salary (.057 of the base) and because of the 3.3% COLA for next year, local dues will increase by 3.3% (about .43 cents per month per member). This increase would have taken place whether the president’s salary proposal would have passed or not.
NEED A LAWYER?
The Attorney Referral Program (ARP) is a service provided to WEA/NEA members (active, life, educational support or retired, their spouses and dependent children) who need the services of an attorney on personal legal matters, i.e.,not employment related.
Participating ARP attorneys provide each member with two free 30 minute consultation sessions during each year of the program (September 1 through August 31). These two free consultations are taken separately and deal with two different questions. This benefit allows you to discuss your problem with an attorney to determine whether you need additional legal services. If further legal services are necessary and fall within the areas listed below, the attorney’s fees are discounted 30%.
You may discuss almost any subject during one of your 30 minute consultations excluding member’s business dealings, preparation of tax returns, bankruptcies, or defense of a criminal violation (other than traffic). Upon your initial visit to the attorney’s office you must present some evidence of NEA membership. Participating attorneys in Spokane are the offices of Powell, Kuznetz and Parker, PS (455-4151).
BARGAINING TO RESUME
The collective bargaining agreement (CBA) provides for the contract to be reopened annually for items that are mutually agreed upon by the Association and the District. Your Association bargaining team will begin meeting this month to discuss potential reopeners. The first meeting with the District bargaining team is scheduled for April 10. The Team of Five for the Association is:
Thank you for your continued support.
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