May 15, 2022
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Hello Everyone

Last week of school!

Not like anyone has been counting days, or hours. lol 

As your President I take you with me everywhere I go. Not only the physical work but the actual planning, angst, anger, and ideas often happen while sitting in an airport, driving to Anchorage, waiting for my tires to be swapped, or the hospital. 

So, my first summer as your President will be a busy one. We will be having a barbecue somewhere the week after school is over. We will be having a back to school party for the entire bargaining unit on August 5th, timeline TBD. New employee orientation August 20th or Sept 2nd. And most of strategy sessions regarding the contract bargaining. 

Stay tuned to our Facebook page for bargaining updates, plus trainings we will be having next year, have fun this summer, share pictures of the fun things you are doing this summer or even summer school! Our Facebook page is for you!

So have fun, or wear a helmet this week and those of you working all summer, I will be here if you need me.

https://join.nea.org/alaska/

Rick Morgan, President
Classified Employees’ Association
6177 E. Mountain Heather Rd Suite 6
Palmer, Alaska  99645-8442
Office (907) 373-0800 |  Cell (907) 355-6478
Letters from our Members!
Hello,
The employees can have what the Union is negotiating for but the Members need to step up and push back and demand the higher wage you are pushing for and not apologize or feel guilty for it.  
Same with insurance as this is doable IF the members step up and stay United. 

We flatlined for wages as a group for 20 years and the past 5 have actually lost ground and now it's scary how fast we are losing ground. 

When you take in account how much we can buy with the money we get today compared to ten years ago, it's astounding how much we have lost. When you take in account that lower wages are also having a negative impact on our retirement, it's even more dire for the future of labor in the MSBSD.

It's enough!  We have been asked to tighten our belts for two decades now. We have no more to give. 
I sure hope the members are willing to do what it takes this time because I am so tired of seeing them take the largest hits. 

Note:

Look at the percentage of income increase from 1985 to now. When you compare, the hourly labor positions have not kept up at all. 

Since 1985-Teachers had a decent increase. Middle management, principals doubled and the top jobs tripled and more. 

It's not hard to compare and find the percentages and would be good to get the salary schedule from 1985 for custodian, Secretary, Admin Secretary, Tutor Advisor etc. 
Take the cost of gas in 1985 and see what it took to fill a 20 gallon tank for gas. Then look at how many hours a custodian had to work in 1985 to fill that tank. Then so it with todays gas prices and see how many hours a custodian works today to fill a 20 gallon tank of gas. Triple the cost of a home from 1985 to now and look at the hours needed to buy a home. We did that here. 1985 the brand new home was $100,000.  Now same home, but built in 1985 is 280,000.  Compare how many hours a custodian had to work to buy a 100,000 home and how many hours it take today to buy that used home. You want your mind blown?  Figure out what that same house is new, as the 1985 cost was for a new home. Of course food, utilities and insurance is same story. 
If I remember correctly, a box of diapers in 1985 took 45 minutes to pay for as a custodian, same size package of diapers today takes a custodian over 3 hours of labor to pay for.  
We have given enough. 

Then look at what Principals, teachers and superintendents got paid back in 1985 and today.
 It's crazy when compared and it's neglect on the peoples part as hourly labor never used to qualify as low income non livable wage in the district.  Today, many of the hourly jobs in the district are no longer a livable wage.  Add what insurance costs, and it's especially sad. 
We have many more employees since 1985 that need assistance to make ends meet with the wages they pay now. The people need to hear about that. It's not right that the same group keeps getting pushed down.

Thank you for asking for the percentages you are asking for and holding on insurance!  It's wrong how low the pay is now and how many of our positions are No longer a livable wage in this district. 

I hope people step up and push back with you as what you are asking for is necessary to help bring them back to a wage that will sustain a family. 

We are not asking for too much. We have zero to feel guilty about and we do not need to apologize. 
Chin up and go for it!
Kelly
Picture
​Find information HERE 
Heading into February, 36 schools wearing masks again. Check out the school districts website for each schools status.

In Solidarity,
Rick Morgan, President
Classified Employees' Association

What are you waiting for??

Join CEA today!
Every voice is important and every education support professional (ESP) in our bargaining unit is needed. Whether you are a custodian, a paraprofessional, a nutrition service worker, clerical, or facility worker YOU will make a difference.  I hope you will consider standing united with your fellow ESP's in the Mat-Su!
​No other professional organization does more for Alaskan educators. With your support we can protect our profession today, and for the next generation of educators!
​​Join Now!
  We have a great partnership with Grand Canyon University! Below is our contact who lives in Anchorage, give her a call!

Hannah Meneses (is our IN STATE contact!)
University Development Counselor
Grand Canyon University
907-201-1965
hannah.meneses@gcu.ed
Bargaining Team from our last successful Contract.
​This is a bargaining year! Stay tuned for details.