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Grand Rapids recording Recording reveals GR union leaders' hostile strategy Education Action Group recently came into the possession of a recording of a presentation given by Paul Helder, president of the Grand Rapids teachers union, and Earl 'Buz' Graeber, an MEA Uniserv director working with the Grand Rapids union. We have posted excerpts of it because we feel it is information parents, taxpayers, school board members, and the community ought to hear--straight from the union leaders' mouths. The recording appears to be from the session 'Grand Rapids EA Story,' from the recent MEA Bargaining, Political Action and PR Conference, held February 5-7, 2009 at Cobo Hall in Detroit. The preface, found on page 47 of the MEA's announcement flyer, said:
In the recording, Helder and Graeber give their unvarnished opinions of district leaders, school board members, district contract negotiators, their goal of winning the May school board election as a way to affect contract negotiations, strike potential, and ways they reward and punish the local media. Last year, we made the argument the central question in the school board election was "Taxpayers or Union Bosses - Who do you want in control of Grand Rapids schools?" Based on these clips, it certainly seems that will be the fundamental issue this year, as well. This recording seems to indicate the union's highest priority in the upcoming May election is electing candidates as a means to securing a better settlement and staving off an imposed contract. Absent from the union's agenda, apparently, is improved educational quality, more district reforms, or items that would actually improve the education of Grand Rapids students. We provide 14 clips from that session which cover these issues, opinions, and tactics. 1 Helder's school board analysis Helder: 'There are 2 or 3 of them capable of some kind of independent thought' Helder: 'Last year, we were able to knock two members off the board and this year, we're planning on taking out another two." Helder: 'That is the stuperintendent as he is referred to' Helder: 'Part of what we've decided to do is start calling the district on the idea 1. that they're broke and 2. that they're spending their resources appropriately. As such, because I'm that guy, I've spent a little time baiting them...' Helder: 'The only thing that stops the district from imposing is fact-finding. The longer that process goes on, the longer it takes for them to impose on us. That has to be done.' Union leaders discuss ways to use legal expenses against the board of education, specifically citing attorney Barb Ruga. While they don't talk about the over half-million in salaries that go into the Grand Rapids MEA Uniserv team (see the Leadership & Staff page)--working day-in and day-out to secure a better deal for members--it's possible the Grand Rapids legal fees could be significantly less of the union bargained in good faith by acknowledging the financial situation of the district and didn't intentionally drag the process out. 6 Crisis Team focusing on election Graeber: 'Our focus right now is at the board election in May' Graeber: 'Grand Rapids Public Schools is going to impose [a contract]--no question in anybody's mind. Our only way out of that is to elect our board of education.' 7 Striking over an imposed contract Graeber: 'I'm not sure that we could convince our members that if there's an imposition which we think would come down some time in August--we're not sure we can convince them to tell the board "if you impose, we're going to walk out as soon as school opens in the fall."' Apparent union strategy: private transportation employees have the legal right to strike, and the union will use them to strike--so to not face punishment--and eliminate the only means many student have to get to school. 9 Increased union communications Helder: 'One of the things I've been trying to do with my, I guess, free time is get a little better feel for how labor strife works out and who wins in the end.' Helder: 'We've been attacking the safety and security issue. With as many students as we have, certainly there are always going to be those who cause a little bit of difficulty.' 11 Helder's 2nd school board analysis 12 Helder: It's more than just GR Helder: 'Our concern is more than just GR. ... Whatever takes place in GR, whatever precedents are set there are going to echo...because there are opportunities in that area.' Helder and Graeber on the activities of Education Action Group 14 Care and Feeding of the Local Media Helder and Graeber on their attempts to influence the local media We would like to hear your opinion of this material. Send us an e-mail at info [at] edactiongroup.org. |
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