07/11/2023
On Thursday, 10:30, D. Peppers Gym, I am scheduled to represent Dixie Teachers and Educational Support Professionals at the Bargaining Table. Personally, I stand to receive little or no increase in salary as a 36 year teacher and supplemental increases do not effect me. Likewise, I will witness salary increases for others that took me years to obtain. In addition, I will volunteer my time as Bargaining Chair and stand to gain little to compensate my time. Finally, though I am grateful to our employer’s respectful participation, Annette that assists in figuring out “the ask”, and those few that show up to witness the process, the burden follows me home. So, you can imagine that it is difficult for me to gain motivation to care and show up myself. What is worse, though, along with the responsibility of bargaining, the responsibilities of gaining 60% membership and signing members up for Edues hang over my head like dragons ready to pounce. And, this is just in the summer. The dragons of lesson planning, grading papers, and student achievement will join the ranks in a few short weeks. Are their any allies out there that can help me and my small in number team to slay a few dragons? If compensation is your thing, show up at 10:30. If you want to save DCEA from losing Representation Status and gaining membership to have a “voice”, join us in a fall planning meeting at our DCEA Office afterwards. As it is a working lunch, food from the Cottage Cafe will be provided as compensation to those who attend.
