To: All 12 Month APEA Staff Members
From: John Napolitani, President
Date: July 20, 2009
Re: Summer Hours Update
In an effort to try to salvage the summer hour issue for all 12 month employees, I met last Thursday with the Acting Superintendent, BOE attorney and the Business Administrator. Since Mark Cowell wanted the secretarial unit to give back two weeks of their summer hours in return for working a four day work week, I made two (2) very modest proposals to make up for their loss. This was denied.
For the record, Mark Cowell is the same person that RIF’d fifteen (15) teachers last year. This year, along with Corey Lowell, he RIF’d another sixty two (62) staff members which included the entire cafeteria unit. Last week, he and Ms. Lowell wanted me to give away the secretarial summer hours for the last two (2) weeks of summer. And next they will decimate remaining units of the support staff along with attempting to dismantle OUR hard fought Union contract.
During negotiations, there is give and take. Not just give. Unfortunately, Cowell and Lowell have the Burger King mentality where they think they can have it their way. They are not being mindful of the fact that this is a democracy and they are both being paid very handsome salaries for their positions, even to the point where Ms. Lowell was just given a raise and added benefits to her contract less than 1 year on the job. My question to you is have you been given a raise with added benefits? The answer very simply is no. We have to fight for what we get and not give the store away.
In closing, I realize that many of you have now changed your schedules five (5) times. This is unacceptable. The administrators were notified last week via a meeting and an email that the summer hour matter was resolved and the four (4) day work week was back on. Obviously, someone in Central Office felt that the deal was done. I am requesting that if you have a financial hardship due to these changes, (ie: childcare issues) please forward it to me in writing so that we can add this with other charges such as Union Busting to the Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge against Mark Cowell. Remember, the Cowell Lowell Attack Plan (C.L.A.P.) continues to spread.
Pc: Michael Zajac, Recording Secretary
Sue Hayes-Stasio, PR&R Chair
Ron Villano, Uniserv Representative (VIA FACSIMILE)
Steve Hunter, Esq. (VIA FACSIMILE)