Seattle Association of Educational Office Professionals

Feb 3^rd General Meeting Minutes Addendum 

Glenn Bafia - Executive Director of the SEA -Glenn Bafia spoke to the SAEOP membership about the current topics that are up for discussion within the Union; Arbitration, Open Positions, Displacement, Seniority Lists, Budget Votes at the Building Level.

Arbitration Glenn reported that the SAEOP arbitration has been moved to May, 2009.

The staffing model must be negotiated with the Union, it cannot be set just by the district. Open positions will be out there for 2 weeks, anyone can apply  if it is at your job level ~then 504 accommodations and seniority, then staff who have been displaced from a school. The SSD wants to hold a job fair in the spring 2009.

Seniority only counts in the job title that you are currently in, you may have 20 years with the district but only 4 years as a head secretary. We need to be clear on the seniority list - we need to double-check our paperwork.  We need to know when the seniority list is available. We need to check our own personal information.

Budgets The BLT meets and facilitates the budget discussion. The BLT can look at the job descriptions and decide to cut an entire position. You have the right to defend your job. The Office staff should then sit down with the Administration and discuss how the work can be done. If no compromise can be met - then you need to go back to the BLT. You need to stick up for yourself and take your plan to the BLT. Take notes on all the things that you do. You need to have this information to support your position.

Central Office All the school based coaches are gone - 35 teachers - cut from the central office budget.  There seem to be less staff available in the central office - HR and transportation etc... With HR letting people go - will they hire subs and bring them in to clean up things and get the work done? This is unfair....we need to watch for this. If something is going on - you need to alert the union - you cannot let too much time go by. If too much time passes - you can lose your money. No need to suffer in silence. We need to be the support network for each other. If you have a gut feeling that something is just not right - call Debbie Passi or the Union Office and check it out.  Who is responsible to make sure the process is followed?  The Principal is the Administrator in charge. Can the Union put pressure on the Admin staff to follow the rules?  Could the Ed Directors work with the Principals?  Glenn will get back to us - he is going to call Craig Peck and find out how he kept the seniority list.

Catherine Erickson from the Employee Assistance Program - Catherine Erickson spoke to the SAEOP membership about the hardships that we are all faced with. Catherine gave us some good ideas to work with the stresses in the job. EAP office will give you a chance to talk one on one with a licensed professional

You can come to the EAP for all kinds of reasons, work related conflicts, conflicts at home, areas of depression and job issues, health issues, what can you do when you don't like your job but you need your job to survive.

The Main Office is at the Wilson Pacific Building- on North 90^th - there is an additional office at the JSCEE.  They do have some contract work with other therapists. Mediation sessions can be arranged as well, if you are having a conflict with a co-worker. Stress Management- find things that you do have control over and focus in on those; reading a good novel, a cup of tea, a morning walk. Take some deep breaths - Meditation helps to quiet your mind - you will sleep better.  When you are under stress it is harder to make decisions.  Yoga, Tai Chi - all help to relax your body.  Stress can compromise your health - your immune system.  The book "Strong Women Stay Young" - good book to buy- start NOW.  There is a series of 8 exercises by Marium Nelson - a professor at Tufts University.  Laughter is the BEST Medicine; laughter is very contagious, as well as depression is contagious.  World Laughter Day is in May.  When you are depressed it is hard to remember what you appreciate, try to pull it out and focus on it.  Try starting an appreciation journal - write down three things that you appreciate - that awed you today, a sunset, an "a-ha" moment.  There is great power in listening and acknowledging others. You need to talk about what is worrying you.  Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Tense up a muscle and then let it go, start with your toes.  Visualization: Calm yourself, relax, imagine yourself in someplace pleasant - close your eyes - breath - don't let the random thoughts come into your mind.

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