2011 Negotiations Begin

Hi,

Our team of Dusty Humphries, Richard Palen, Danielle Gahr, Melissa Johnson, Megan Rileg and Keith Meeuwsen met with the districts team of Patty, Andy Croley, Lori Thompson, Alan King, and Jessica. (Bonita was not present).

It was all niceties as we exchanged ground rules for negotiations. We then set our next meeting dates which are April 4th and April 18th.

As a team we are still working out the final language to our proposals and if you have anything you want to tell us it is not too late.

As you know we have a 2.1 million deficit that looms large in negotiations. We also know that pay and health care benefits are the two big issues and that there are some very vocal people who got no raise at all last year who do not want to be left behind again this year.

We have also been paying attention to Portland and what they were able to do this year. One thing Portland has been able to do is pass levies - they do make a difference in what you can negotiate!!!

Anyhow - show up to the next bargaining session and lets see what we can do.

Keith