May 31, 2023

Hello Fellow Classified Employee's and guests.

I'm ready for fishing, how about you? 

​It has been a week since the school board meeting. I’m sure most of you are aware of what transpired at the school board meeting on May 24th. There seemed to be lots of maneuvering by certain members of the board and the district to delay the vote to approve the district imposition. Saving it for last and suffering two votes to extend the meeting to get there they finally had the vote at 10:45pm. They even go so far as to have a couple 5 minute breaks to have their lawyer and Ole Larson brow beat the newest members of the board to make sure they have the votes. In the end, the vote went against the teachers 5-2. (Thank you members Swanson and Butcher)

This goes to show that elections do matter. Mr Swanson was interviewed by our PACE committee and has been a staunch defender of our members. No one else up there even bothered to answer our questionnaire. Now you know why. Those school board members didn’t think we were worth their time.  They didn’t want your support. And now the teachers have lost their insurance and are being forced into wages that are less than half the inflation rate for this year alone. 

This is coming our way. 
We can win this but it's going to be in the public sphere and through the courts. Membership is key to all of this. Fewer members means fewer dollars to pay for lawyers to argue for us. Support for the uniserv directors, and support from the lower 48 when we strike. If you know someone who isn’t a member ask them to stand united with us, and know that without them we fall. If you have been on the sideline waiting for us to do something for you, it’s time to do something for yourselves and family to fight for what you deserve. 

And the members that dropped. I’ve talked with many of you and I am telling you now. This is the time for you to step up for the wages you deserve and the health insurance we enjoy. And if you don’t? Be happy with what the district decides you DESERVE.

What do you need to do? Go to this page and make sure your email and phone numbers are updated so we can contact you about bargaining and strike votes. 


Next school board meeting is the 7th of June. They will be discussing Dr Traini’s evaluation. And of course public speaking. Want to talk to your school board? Attend the school board meeting at 5:30pm. Wear RED! Follow this page, our Facebook (Public and Members only), Instagram and Twitter. It's time for you to find your voice. This is the link to the school board website. Voice your opinion, and often, to let them know how you feel and that you are a voter.
August 12th is our back to school mixer. 12:30pm is when we start. Bring a friend including new employees! We will sign them up, pass out bargaining information and feed you, your spouse, your kids. lol 

But most of all we need YOU to be members. While we sat across from the district for the last year their Lawyer and HR Head knew we didn't have real power. At membership about 60% they know that they could dictate their terms. Hence the pitiful raise and their push for our health insurance data. But most of all membership gives you access to our Help fund to make ends meet, the ability to vote on our contract and financial help from NEA if we strike. Those are only available to members.

That means if you aren't already a member, click the link below and join up. Those new people in the building? Take your phone to them and sign them up. Your fellow coaches? Are they members? Only together will we win this fight!

If you aren't a member during this critical time in our employment isn't it time you join?

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

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