UEA Transformation

Our UEA Transformation Team met yesterday to look at the notes from the small group discussions at UEA Summer Leadership in June at the Zermatt. The following themes appeared from the notes: Communication, Transformation, Engagement, Leadership Training and Capacity Building, External Leadership and Data Collection. Most of these fit into what our team have been discussing for months. We will be presenting recommendations at Local Presidents meeting in August with the final presentation to membership at the UEA Convention in October.

Jordan Education Association is preparing for their mediation next Monday and Tuesday. OEA Negotiations Team will meet Monday to discuss our positions and then begin mediation Wednesday and Thursday.

Rick

School Trust Lands Money to Increase

An article in the SL Trib today by Lisa Schencker (www.sltrib.com) says that school community councils will have about 4 million more dollars than expected this year. Instead of a 24% cut in money, schools will see a 10% cut. The deep recession we are experiencing dropped the trust funds from $974 million in June of 2008 to $863 million as of June 2009. It will be good to see some more money going to those school trust land plans.

Countdown to mediation-11 days.

Rick

NEA Representative Assembly

Go to NEA web page to see a summary of activities at this year's NEA RA.

NEA RA Ends

The NEA Representative Assembly ended and the delegates have returned to their homes after spending a week doing the business of the association in San Diego.

Deseret News reported July 5 on the ongoing negotiations of Jordan and Ogden school districts. You can read the article by going to www.deseretnews.com or googling Jordan and Ogden impasse. Amy Stewart reports that the two unions will be sharing Lavonne Ritter, from the Federal Mediation Concilliation Service in Las Vegas, to provide mediation starting July 20 for JEA and 22 for OEA.

Countdown is 13 days. Rick

Yes I can add...only 14 days until Mediation in Ogden

OEA and WEA leaders should be traveling home from the NEA Representative Assembly where they debated and passed new business and the budget for the over 3 million members of NEA. Lisa Vipperman, new OEA VP, attended the UEA Organizing Conference in June and learned some great ways to help us organize our members around crucial issues. We will continue to give you information on the negotiations impasse and the upcoming mediator. Stay Tuned. Rick

23 Days until Mediation Begins

Countdown to OEA's mediation is 23 days. Have a great 4th weekend. Rick

NEA Representative Assembly Begins

Both OEA and WEA have sent representatives to the NEA Representative Assembly in San Diego. Paul Fawson (newly elected Uniserv VP) traveled to San Diego earlier than the others to attend the National Council of Urban Education Association meetings. Mary Courney, Marlene Smith, and Christine Tea from OEA are traveling today to begin meetings tomorrow. From WEA Glen Larsen, Teri Maxfield, and Jerry Wilkins are also attending the RA. The NEA RA is the representative body of the NEA that will set the agenda for the following year, approve the budget and change the documents according to the 9000 delegates who attend, debate and vote.

Impasse countdown 23 days.

Stay tuned. Rick