Northern Zone MEA News

Units reported as settled include: Copper County ISD EA, Shelby EA, Tahquamenon ESP, Tahquamenon EA, Engadine ESP, Engadine EA, Calumet ESP, CCISD ESP, Chassell EA, Detour EA, Detour ESP, Alpena ESP II, Johannesburg-Lewiston ESP, Johannesburg-Lewiston EA, Mecosta-Osceola ISD EA, Evart EA, Wexford-Missaukee ESP, Baldwin ESP, Baldwin EA, Jenison EA, Jenison CM, Jenison T, Jenison OP, West Ottawa EA, West Ottawa T, Zeeland EA, Mona Shores EA, Ottawa ISD ESP, Ottawa ISD EA, Spring Lake ESP, Hudsonville EA, Grand Haven EA, Cheboygan Area EA, Lake Linden EA, Houghton Portage EA, Dollar Bay EA, L’Anse EA, Adams Township EA.

The Lake State Superior University support staff tentative agreement was resoundingly defeated by the membership, who refused to accept co-payment of health insurance premiums. The employer threatens to impose its demand for co-payment in the absence of a settlement.

As anticipated, the lighthouse settlements in Copper Country ISD EA and Forest Park Area EA led to seven contract agreements, all maintaining Super Care 1 fully paid by the employer.

North Dickinson EA, and Escanaba EA remain on the critical list. The Cadillac support staff unit, 37 paraprofessionals and secretaries have been added to the critical list.

Fifty area MEA members attended a LEG/PAC Dinner held in Escanaba on February 27^th.

OPIE (Outstanding Person in Education) award banquets have been scheduled in Regions 15A, 15B, 17B/C, 14B/C and 16A.

The U.P. Leadership Conference will be held in Marquette April 16-17, 2004. Topics include grievance processing, strike preparation, preserving MESSA benefits, ESP bargaining issues, beginning school finance, introduction to bargaining, campaign 2004, ESEA, impasse/strike and the law.

*Visitors came from 17 countries: Oddly we had the most visitors from Belize - 28.

Zone updates, committee minutes and other zone related items can also be accessed on the zone web page at www.northernzonemea.org.

Seven months into the 2003-2004 fiscal year, the MEA Organizing Department has won 676 new members, with a record of 6-0 in representation elections. Petitions have been filed in 9 additional units totaling approximately 500 members, while an additional 21 units are in various stages of organizing.

Decertification and/or raid activity remain unusually high. Of the eight potential raid/decerts, MEA has only lost one unit: Clare custodians (10), who reverted to non-union status. The most significant threat: a raid attempt by an independent association on the largest MEA transportation unit in the state, the Traverse City drivers and bus aides. On March 23^rd, MEA retained its’ 147 member transportation unit in Traverse City by a vote of 72-52. Of the remaining six units, MEA contract settlements eliminated three, MEA won the Marion T decert election, while LSSU ESP (117) and Roscommon EA (110) remain outstanding.

The Organizing Department anticipates once again exceeding the 1,000 new member mark during the current fiscal year.

The threat in Copper Country that Laidlaw might successfully privatize school support staff evaporated when early bids received by school Boards proved too high to be considered.

Following nearly three years of negotiations commencing March 2001, the Hesperia Board ratified the EA contract, closing the Zone’s longest running negotiations. As this is a three-year contract (two and a half back and the balance of this school year), the bargaining team has scheduled their first meeting to prepare for the upcoming negotiations for next year’s contract. The crisis team is already planning their strategies, and the well-worn portable sign on Main Street may begin a count-down to the end of the contract along with the admonition to "settle now." The membership is relieved but at the same time anxious, with the back years off the table but the battle simply deferred. Schedule increases of 2% (2001-02) 2% (2002-03) 3% (2003-04) plus improvements to top of schedule with addition of longevity steps. Maintain MESSA SC1 with no cap. Board reimburses the $50/100 deductible. The Rx changes from $2 to $5/10.

MEA’s four Fruitport units ratified two-year agreements covering 2002-03 and 2003-04 school years. These settlements were achieved following intense crisis support from the leaders and membership. Both the Fruitport and Hesperia negotiations were classic, hard-fought battles against intransigent and adversarial boards of education and their negotiators.

Indicative of the tough bargaining facing Northern Zone staff and leaders is the Bessemer EA settlement. This district held a 2.8% fund balance, which is expected to be zero next school year. The contract included 1% raise on schedule, 1% off schedule, 1% on extra-curriculars. MESSA Super Care 1 is maintained uncapped with no reduction in the benefit package. The $50/100 deductible is fully reimbursed.

The Forest Park Area EA settlement came in early morning mediation. This unit had been notified in writing that the Board would implement the third week in January. The settlement maintains MESSA with no caps. The CCISD EA settlement, together with Forest Park EA may break the concerted employer objective to shift the cost of benefits to the employees.

Lake State Superior University support staff reached a tentative agreement February 27, 2004. Ratification will terminate the Teamster’s challenge to MEA’s representation of the unit.

The Brimley EA settlement ended a stalemate where the Superintendent from the first session conditioned a settlement on a health insurance cap, stating there would be no settlement without one. The settlement, with no cap, brings wage increases of 3% 2003-04, 2.25% 04-05, 2.75% 05-06, with additional economic improvements in the package.

Whitefish CFSMOOPPT, a unit of five members, is added to the Critical Local list, along with North Dickinson EA, a unit of twenty seven members.

Twenty eight participants from Regions 17-A, B, C and 18-B traveled to the PN/PR/PA Conference in a bus chartered by the UPEA. Historically, only 6 to 8 members total have attended the Conference from the entire Upper Peninsula, so this novel enterprise has been judged a success. UPEA funded approximately 50% of the fare, with the Coordinating Councils paying the balance. Coolers with refreshments were provided by MESSA. The trip proved to be a test of endurance when the first bus broke down twice, finally in Gaylord. The enterprising riders, not to be deterred, spent hours in congenial company while a second bus was chartered. Despite these hurdles, the participants suggest that we continue to offer the bus charter to future conferences, commenting on the benefit of having the opportunity to meet and share issues with other members from the U.P., something they typically would not have a chance to do.

The Negaunee office has been moved to a new location within the same building. The phone numbers and mailing address remain unchanged. The new space represents a reduction in square feet and a concurrent reduction in rent, a long-term savings for the MEA. The move is possible following the elimination of a Uniserv Director working from that location.

Effective March 1, 2004, the Grand Haven and Muskegon Heights offices are combined at a new location in Spring Lake. This move brings the staff of the 9-E/9-13 School Employees Association and the 13-CD Shoreline Educational Coordinating Council together in an office designed to provide an efficient work site and meeting center for leaders and members. Planning and executing this move has added considerably to the responsibilities of professional staff and the associates, who are to be commended for their commitment to the transition. The guidance and support of Council leaders was key to a successful outcome.

Mid January we learned that Laidlaw was scheduled to make a presentation to each school district in the Copper Country ISD area and tour the transportation facilities. The districts considering Laidlaw as a private provider of student transportation are Houghton-Portage (AFSCME), Adams Township (MEA), Dollar Bay-Tamarack City (Independent), Lake Linden-Hubbell, Calumet (AFSME), Stanton Township (MEA), Chassell (no union), CCISD (MEA), L’Anse, Baraga and Hancock (MEA). A counter strategy was implemented immediately including: MEA organizing staff on site, communication with other unions and independents regarding activities, training, and information sharing; an anti-privatization workshop scheduled in March; AFSME field staff included in information sharing.

We continue additional staff support in Lowell, where the employer’s stated intention is to replace our unit of 110 custodians. Strategy includes support for unit leadership, meetings with the general membership and newsletters. Paul McBride, NEA’s consultant for privatization campaigns is scheduled to appear on site.

McBride offered his session: "Beat Privatization – A Step by Step Action Plan at the PN/PR/PA Conference in February.

As anticipated, the threat of member loss in existing units is increasing. The Lake State U settlement, when ratified, averts the Teamster’s challenge for our support staff unit. Northern Zone is staging an intense effort to retain a unit of 147 Traverse City drivers, MEA’s largest transportation unit. Other known potential decertifications: 9 Marion drivers in Northern Zone; 10 Clare custodians in Central Zone; 172 Huron Valley paras, 78 Huron Valley office personnel, and 201 Utica office personnel in Eastern Zone. Our reduced Organizing staff is stretched from meetings with members and potential members from Negaunee to Sault Ste. Marie to Traverse City to Utica to Birmingham.

NEA reports that Michigan has lost approximately 1300 members, due to downsizing in existing units. Two Coordinating Councils in Michigan, 14-A and 18-B have lost 6% and 7%, respectively, due entirely to reductions in workforce. We are in various stages of organizing in 26 units currently representing a potential of more than 1300 members. The Organizing Division has organized 661 new members to date.

Sixteen new educational links for science, math, history, English, can be found on the website.

Zone updates, committee minutes and other zone related items can also be accessed on the zone web page at www.northernzonemea.org.

UNIT	PERCENTAGE
North Muskegon EA	2%, 2%
North Central Michigan College E	3.2%, 3%, 3%, 3%
Oceana ISD ESP	3%, 3%, 3%
Reed City ESP	2.75%, 2.75%, 2.75%
Evart ESP	2.4%-3.2% – depending on classification & step
Leland ESP	3%
Dickinson Iron ISD PT	2%
Chippewa Hills EA	3%, 3%, 3%, 3%
Chippewa Hills SPA	Signing bonus for year 1, 2%, 2.5%
Grand Valley State University	2.5%, 2.5%, 2.5%

Chippewa Hills SPA ratified their first contract as an MEA unit. The three year settlement runs from October 1, 2002, to June 30, 2005, and moves our 142 members from MEBS insurance to MESSA Super Care 1.

Ishpeming EA has a tentative agreement on a one year contract with ratification anticipated in July.

Hart EA reached a tentative agreement culminating nearly two years’ negotiations, numerous mediations sessions, fact finding and post-fact finding bargaining. The extraordinary effort of a Crisis Team supported the 100 member unit, without a contract since August 31, 2001. The agreement covers the

2001-02, 2002-03, and the 2003-04 school years and is scheduled for ratification in July. Hart EA is now removed from the Critical Locals list.

Kingsley support staff, unsettled since July 1, 2001, and Hesperia teachers, unsettled from August 31, 2001, continue on the Critical Locals list. The Hesperia Crisis Team organized a mass picketing of the administration offices June 16^th.

The chart below denotes the running average percentage increases by coordinating council, to date.

Numbers have changed slightly from prior report due to the reorganization of the coordinating councils.

Five and one-half custodial positions (non-MEA) in Littlefield were privatized in May. The Board voted without discussion on this proposition, despite an excellent report by Ruth Beier demonstrating the fallacy of projected cost containment, and despite the strong showing by NMEA leaders and staff present in the audience.

Again this year, the Outstanding Person in Education Award (OPIE) program won rave reviews for recognizing the special contributions made by individuals in the education community. This year, OPIE banquets were held in 14B/C, 15A, 15B, 16A, and 17B, with combined attendance of over one thousand. The OPIE was started over 26 years ago in Traverse City to recognize "outstanding persons" (both EA and ESP members) who contribute to the success of students in their local schools.

Deborah Larson, a K-12 media specialist and past president for the Bellaire EA, has been selected as an MEA intern. She is assigned to work with Chuck Herring, Uniserv director in the Alpena office, and will be full-time released for the first semester of the 2003-04 school year.

Tom Taylor, Northern Zone Director, accepted the ERI and retired. Lee Longfield has been assigned as the new Northern Zone Director. Uniserv Directors Mary Ann Zimmerman, Jeanne Cooper-Kuiper, Brad Richards, Roger Hopkins, Sheree Gembolis, Lou Gembolis, and Craig Farrell accepted the ERI and are retired. We wish our retired Northern Zone staff long and enjoyable retirements with our thanks for their years of distinguished service.

Temporary Uniserv directors are assigned in 9E/913, 13/9, 13B, 15B, 17A, and 18B.

Permanent vacancies in the Northern Zone have been posted. Those positions are 17A – Negaunee, 18B – Ironwood, and 15B – Cadillac.

The Northern Zone office has been moved from Escanaba to headquarters. The Northern Zone secretary, Jody Jaeger, elected not to follow her assignment to Lansing. Jody has provided unfailingly cheerful and skilled support to members and staff in the Northern Zone and will be missed in the Zone office. Cindy Miller becomes the new Northern Zone secretary, and we welcome her to the new assignment. The Northern Zone is up and running in its new location in the Uniserv Division.

Other zone updates, committee reports and zone related items can be accessed on the zone web page @ www.northernzonemea.org. The Northern Zone website is averaging 3300 visitors per month.

    Greetings from the MEA Northern Zone office. Hopefully all of our members have experienced a positive and productive start to the new school year. And what a year! National and world news dominate with global conflicts, the economy and political elections both foreign and those at home. It's also the year to recognize MEA's role in public education.
    This year we celebrate the 150th year of MEA since it's start on the campus of Eastern Michigan University. You may want to join in by contacting your local association president or Uniserv office and see what's planned for your area. MEA is providing grants to local coordinating councils to help fund this milestone event.
    It is also a critical election year when we will elect a new Governor and a nearly new House and Senate. Congressional elections and one of the two U.S. Senate seats are likewise up for grabs. MEA elected representatives have made recommendations in all of these races based on the education issues important our members. Recommendations are listed on the MEA web page or available from your Uniserv office or local association leadership. For the sake of public education vote! And when representatives approach you about
contributions to MEA PAC...remember it does take money to advocate for public education...our money.
    Many of you started the new school year without a contract in place and you were, unfortunately, in good company. The majority of contracts open in the Northern Zone this year remain unsettled. Of those settling successor agreements most negotiated approximately 3% salary/wage increases and maintained their existing benefit packages. Every year from 400 to 600 of the 1,200 plus MEA locals sit down and bargain new master agreements across the state. Because all agreements in Michigan are truly local agreements it is a unique and on-going challenge.
    As this school year progresses we encourage all MEA members to become involved in your Association. Your expertise and energy is needed to keep MEA a vital and progressive force for members and public education in Michigan. Have a great year !

As we close another active school year there are numerous issues to keep our interest. Contracts are being negotiated around the zone, local PAC committees are gearing up for recommendations to members about local and legislative races and we continue to monitor state finances, which ultimately may impact school funding. Though last September began on the lowest of notes, the promise that a completed school year holds is one of future challenges and opportunities.

In covering the MEA Northern Zone those range from representing the interests of three (3) members in tiny Arvon Twp. in the Upper Peninsula, to the Traverse City teachers with six hundred fifty-five (655) members. Here’s a portion of what's been happening in the Northern Zone.

As of June, 2002, 13 EA and 8 ESP contracts remain unsettled from last year. With 104 contracts expiring this summer the bargaining load in some areas will be light to moderate which conditions a heavier load in the ensuing year. Overall, wage/salary settlements for last year (2001-2002) averaged 2.9% with multi-year increases in the third and fourth years slightly higher at just over 3.0%. In the critical area of medical benefits all contract bargaining in the zone maintained or improved MESSA coverage. MESSA insurance continues to be of the highest priority with members.

Even though the zone saw no job actions this past year Atlanta EA, Hart EA, Hillman EA, Kingsley ESP and Mona Shores ESP have been considered "critical situations" due to protracted and difficult bargaining. The past year saw success in meeting Multiple Association Bargaining Organization (MABO) goals. MABO area bargaining has been supported by the zone-wide MABO Summit held yearly to communicate and better coordinate quality contract settlements. This initiative in the zone prompted creation of a similar summit on a statewide level. Given the significant distances and number of small units in the zone it is critical to continue our emphasis on sharing and caring about bargaining in neighboring districts (that's why MABOs were created). With that, primary emphasis this year has been placed on twin objectives of "no rollbacks" and "no early, low settlements". We often typify this, as "no settlement is better than a bad one". Why? The long range negative impact of establishing a below standard settlement will be used to drag down other locals bargaining. And from there the spiral down just gets worse. With many experienced members leaving to retire, and deserving of fair wage increases which impact their future benefits, coupled with increasing numbers of younger members on the bottom of the wage schedules bargainers need to remain resolute.

Members rallied to the political action call this year in record numbers. Zone-wide donations to MEA-PAC have been the highest in recent memory with several locals reaching 80% plus contribution. Similarly, Lobby Day on February 28^thwas attended by members from each region in the zone as member teams met with their area legislators to talk about school related issues. Rallies last summer, like the one held for Representative Mike Pumford (R) in the Newaygo area, continued to establish our bipartisan support for candidates supporting public education.

At this writing, local Screening and Recommendation Committees are meeting to determine which candidates will be recommended to members in the primary and/or general election this year. It is obviously a critical election with virtually all levels of government up for grabs. Issues like school funding, retirement, implementation of the amended federal ESEA Act, Special Education and privatization of Blue Cross and a host of similar legislation in the wings will demand member’s attention.

As a result of increasing school violence, most poignant for many in Michigan with the shooting death kindergartner Kayla Rowland, several MEA staff and leaders have received training in preventing and responding to school violence. Kathleen Betts, Uniserv Director in the 15-A Traverse City office, represents the Northern Zone on an MEA statewide committee charged with delivering this training to local leaders. During the year the committee established protocols, identified resources and developed objectives for Crisis Response Teams who are charged with implementing the program. Each MEA zone has a local response plan established in concert with the MEA statewide plan. The next step is delivering this training to local leaders and familiarizing everyone with what is available and how to collaborate with school administrators on this vital issue. Options for local training will be presented during the 2002-2003 school year.

Similar to last year, the Outstanding Person In Education Award (OPIE) program again won rave reviews for recognizing the special contributions made by individuals in the education community. The 17-B Coordinating Council based in Escanaba established their first ever OPIE this year following the lead of the 14-BC, 15-A, 15-B and 16-A Councils. The OPIE was started over 25 years ago in Traverse City to recognize "outstanding persons" who contribute to the success of students in their local schools. The OPIE program is credited with fostering very positive community relations for our public schools and gains in popularity each year. Anyone interested in investigating how to set up an OPIE, or a Celebration of Excellence program like in Houghton-Hancock, should call the Northern Zone office at 1-800-380-3251.

What is Future Search? Future search is a large group planning meeting that brings a "whole system" into the room to work on a task-focused agenda. That is the formal definition at least. What it has come to mean in the Northern Zone is a process of shared decision-making, collaboration and communication between staff and leaders centered on delivering our member program. Three Future Search process sessions have been held at the MEA Summer Leadership Conference, involving members, leaders and staff, over the past six years with another contemplated for the summer of 2003. Creation of the zone web page has been one outcome, along with promoting the foundation of the Great Lakes Center for Education Policy and Practice and, as mentioned earlier, the MABO Summit. Most importantly the process has caused all of us to communicate more frequently about member issues. This year the emphasis was on seeking input for improving the delivery of professional development in the out state area. Since August of last year zone leaders and staff have conducted new member focus groups in every zone coordinating council and reported their findings. A report has been developed and meetings with the MEA Professional Development Department to explore options is scheduled for June 14, 2002. Bottom line? MEA members want improvements in content and delivery of professional development opportunities. Hopefully next year's report will outline how successful we have been.

There is little bargaining news to report since last month. We have experienced however, one-year rollover offers from a few districts. Typically these inquiries have been in the 3% range with no changes in benefits. Staff and leaders are currently prepping bargaining teams and reestablishing area bargaining goals and standards for 2002. At this writing, Atlanta EA, Hart EA, Hillman EA, and Kingsley ESP remain on the critical units list.

Spring 2001 PAC campaigns are winding down as we prepare for the 2002 fall effort. A small percentage of locals held off on their 2001 drive until this spring based on local history. PAC SNAPS for 2002 are presently being lined up for kickoffs in August. Staff report that members interest is high for election 2002. Some hotly contested primaries caused by term-limited current, and former, legislators add to the interest. In the 38^th senate seat, for example, we may have four candidates previously recommended by MEA running in the Democrat Party primary.

Members of the Future Search Professional Development Training committee will be meeting in April to make recommendations for improving the delivery of professional development at the local school district level. Recommendations will be based on the analysis of new member focus groups conducted in each northern zone coordinating council last fall. Preliminary findings have been shared with the PD/HR Department.

Janice Gayan was approved as the permanent Uniserv Director for 17-A/B. Janice’s hiring leaves open the zone secretary III job that has been posted, expiring on April 8. Cheryl Melvin’s transfer to the 13-C/D council from 5-F was approved in March. Cheryl began her new duties on April 1.

Zone updates, committee minutes, and other zone related items can be accessed at www.northernzonemea.org. The zone website is averaging over 2,000 visits per month.

Of the 309 contracts administered in the zone, 112 will expire this summer. Below is an aggregate breakdown of the 2002 bargaining by region and unit type.

The Hillman EA and Atlanta EA remain on the critical list in 14-A. The Kingsley ESP was added to the list last month. Bargaining crisis preparation with the Ferris State University Faculty is in full swing as the current contract expires this summer. Several staff have been working with the leadership since last fall to prepare for any contingency. Bargaining at Ferris has historically been contentious, including a job action in 1997. The crisis planning includes internal and external communications components centering on the theme, "Ferris Works Because We Work", which is highlighted on local billboards.

A northern zone MABO Summit meeting was held on January 31 at the Hyatt in Dearborn. Leaders and staff addressed area bargaining standards, new language initiatives and exchanged information on upcoming unit bargaining around the zone. Participants reviewed the MEA Board Contract Replacement Policy and concurred on a zone-wide "no rollbacks" position in negotiations.

Individuals hired as zone political action SNAPS attended a meeting with Government Affairs staff January 30 in Dearborn to debrief this years campaign. Conversations focused on suggestions/recommendations/strategies for the next round of PAC, PAC job descriptions/responsibilities and changes in the Cash for Kids authorization form. Preliminary numbers indicate a marked increase in the number of members in the zone contributing to PAC in a non-election year (2001). Leaders and staff report a significant number of members inquiring about Election 2002. Interest and enthusiasm is steadily picking up as gubernatorial candidates, in particular, are targeting communications to MEA members. Likewise, early indications are that there will be high participation from around the zone in the March 2002 Lobby Day.

The Zone Future Search Design Team met January 19, 2002 and established the following:

Melisa Winn, Uniserv Director in 13C/D, announced her retirement effective mid-March 2002. Melisa has been with MEA for over fourteen years, thirteen of those in Muskegon County. Her dedicated service will be missed by her colleagues and members throughout the zone. Interviews for the 13C/D position will begin February 20, 2002.

Zone updates, committee minutes, and other zone related items can be accessed at www.northernzonemea.org.

Thirty-two contracts from the 2000-2001 round of bargaining remain open throughout the zone. The settlement average has dropped from 3.02% to 2.91% comparing the similar time span last year. MESSA programs were maintained or added in all districts bargaining this past year. One hundred and three (103) agreements will expire in the summer of 2002. Early indications suggest districts will be posturing around the negative economic news statewide with some limited attempts already to re-open contracts. MABOs will be discussing this situation and reviewing the MEA Contract Replacement Policy, which was recently sent to zone Uniserv staff. The Hillman EA and Atlanta EA in 14-A were added to the critical list in December following protracted bargaining efforts. Crisis plans are under way in those units.

The initial zone-wide PAC drive for 2001-2002 was concluded in most regions in November. Early reports suggest significant improvement in the delivery of program objectives over past years. Extensive PAC training from Government Affairs staff was provided in all but one zone coordinating council since August 2001. A record number of Political Action SNAPS were hired and trained, eight in total, utilizing current and retired members. Emphasizing this approach, we believe more locals were contacted than any time in recent memory. Though final numbers are not yet available, the groundwork has been laid for continuing improvement in procuring PAC contributions in the future. Staff and leaders also reported that critical conversations about Election 2002 were initiated and that the general reaction to PAC was more positive during this cycle.

A preliminary report on new member focus group discussions was completed in late November and distributed to zone leaders and staff for further review. The report was also shared with Joan Mapson in PDHR. The focus groups were held during the late summer and fall in all zone coordinating councils. Ten standardized professional development questions/inquiries were posed to the participants with responses recorded in writing. This project was developed by the Zone Future Search Training Committee with two objectives in mind, being namely to procure member opinions regarding professional development and to identify potential association leader/activists.

An offer was made in November to purchase the current Muskegon Heights Uniserv office building but the property was sold to another bidder in December. MEA has two years remaining on our current lease at the site. A building property in Traverse City was also reviewed last month but to date no significant negotiations to purchase have taken place.

Of the eighty-six (86) contracts expiring in 2001, thirty-nine (39) remain unsettled. No job action investigations were scheduled in the zone covering the 2000-2001. For the contract bargaining year 2001-2002, one hundred two (102) contracts will expire. The current economic environment has dampened hopes for some early settlements and likewise for possible long-term salary commitments by Boards.

Leaders and staff met with U.P. Legislators on September 4 in Escanaba to provide input and discuss pending legislation including school finance measures and the state of the economy. All of the legislators were able to attend except Senator North. Some members and staff followed up later in the week by attending the U.P. Legislative Summit in Marquette. Meetings around the zone with area legislators has been very productive and are now regularly scheduled. PAC contributions appear up for this cycle with some locals reaching 80 percent plus and others participating in PAC for the first time. Six PAC SNAPS were hired in the zone and all received training by late summer. All zone coordinating councils are actively running their PAC drive with all but one having gone through training with the Government Affairs staff in August-September.

The Future Search Design Team met September 29 to oversee zone objectives. A zone-wide Future Search is tentatively scheduled for summer 2003. Fifteen members and staff will participate in a workshop on "Training for Trainers" of the Future Search program October 26-27. The objective is to enhance our ability to teach the Future Search model to interested parties, including school districts. As session exploring the Future Search model will also be presented at the upcoming IPD Conference in Dearborn.

The 15-A Coordinating Council Uniserv position was made permanent in September as the result of PSA staff changes affecting job rights involving Uniserv in 15-A and 16-A. Don Hakala, serving as the 15-A temp, was awarded the position. The temporary Uniserv position in 16-A has also been posted as a permanent and we anticipate filling it in early November.

A belated welcome back to school for the 2001-2002 school year. As we've all experienced, an energetic start to the year was tragically marred on September 11, 2001 by the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C. These events touched all of us both personally and as citizens but probably uniquely so for those in the education community who work with young people everyday. Recognizing this, the MEA website http://www.mea.org is providing numerous resources for our members to tap for assistance in helping students examine and cope with the issues surrounding the attacks. We hope they are useful and provide some measure of help as we move through these difficult times.

A new school year means training opportunities. MEA staff and leaders have planned new leader training throughout the state and anyone interested can contact their local Uniserv office for details. In most parts of the northern zone "new member focus groups" are also being conducted to survey member attitudes and ideas on professional development. Once completed the findings will be provided to area coordinating councils and MEA. The aim of these group discussions is to compile data that will help direct how the Association can impact the content and delivery of professional development for our members. So far, we've collected some very direct and pointed opinions from members about professional development in K-12 schools! Of course political action is always a part of being a public employee.

Hopefully, by now you have been contacted personally by someone in your local Association concerning MEA - PAC. Your local should be running a PAC campaign throughout September - October and explaining why not only every vote counts but also why every dollar counts. As the funding level for public schools is being debated, we need friends of public education in the center of that debate, fighting for education and kids. MEA - PAC dollars not only provide money for local efforts but also fund support for those issues and individuals supporting public education. No dues money can or will be used for political action so contributions to MEA - PAC are critical. Please do what you can for public education by supporting your local PAC drive. And as the year unfolds, please feel free to contact your local Uniserv office with questions or suggestions about Association programs or of course, if you have a personal employment issue.

It's been an interesting and productive school year throughout the Northern Zone. For an area covering 41 counties, with members and staff spread across distances greater than that from Detroit to Washington D.C., we've done remarkably well in establishing and communicating mutual goals and objectives with our members. The continued commitment by leaders and staff to the Northern Zone program whether it's bargaining, political action, or the organizational process (Future Search) that was adopted several years ago has been amazing. Following are some highlights of critical program areas since September 2000.

Last year 176 local contracts were open for renegotiation. By June 2001 only a handful remain unsettled with most reporting 2.5-3.0% gains in wages/salary and improvements or minimally no change in benefits. MESSA coverage was bargained for the first time in five units and no unit lost MESSA health coverage. Gogebic Community College Faculty successfully endured a 12-day strike last September where members fought off attempts by the college to remove MESSA from the agreement. The faculty was assisted by the college support staff throughout the job action and remains united in their resolve. A threat of a different type arose in small Arvon Twp. when the local Board, aided by the Mackinaw Center, attempted to privatize all unionized positions in the district. Though few in numbers, members prevailed with the help of MEA staff and legal services and ended a long, difficult year-long struggle by negotiating a new three year contract which maintains and protects the local membership.

Last summer also saw the affirmation of every local to examine its bargaining objectives to insure that new member issues are examined and dealt with in the bargaining process. The zone is committed to continue efforts to improve the status, job protection and benefits of members new to public education. Part of this approach was discussed in our Multiple Association Bargaining Organization (MABO) summit meetings held over the past two years. MABO standards should now reflect an emphasis on new member bargaining topics. Another spin-off of the northern zones approach to MABO bargaining standards was the establishment this year of an MEA statewide MABO summit to improve communication on collective bargaining around the state.

What about upcoming bargaining? Early settlements this spring for contracts expiring this summer indicate salary/wage agreements ranging one-half to one percent higher than last year (3-4%). Good news!!

By summer 2001 we anticipate over 200 new members will be added to the zone via organizing efforts. If estimates continue as expected, the zone should be eligible to add another Uniserv staff in December 2002.

Members contributed nearly $140,000 during the recent two year PAC drive. While these numbers were not as high as hoped, progress was made in training members about issues critical to public education and the role PAC dollars play in ensuring that public education interests are protected locally, in Lansing and in Washington. The Kash for Kids political action model adopted in the zone has generated more interest than normal with its emphasis on issues over party politics. We suspect other zones may follow this approach in the future. With important off year elections looming next year we plan to communicate with every member in the zone for continuing support of Kash for Kids and as importantly their personal involvement in election 2002. Those efforts proved their worth in last year when the vast majority of our recommended candidates were elected to office on the support of MEA members. Our zone legislative teams have been active in keeping a high profile with these elected officials by keeping the public education agenda in the forefront. The results have been a record state aid grant, technology initiatives and beating back attacks on member benefits, retirement and bargaining rights. AND a resounding defeat of VOUCHERS last fall. Not a bad year!!

Outstanding Person in Education Award (OPIE) ceremonies were held in the 14BC, 15A, 15B and 16A Coordinating Councils this spring in recognition of the special work done by MEA members and/or community members who contribute to the success of students and their local school districts. MEA leaders and staff have facilitated this enormously popular event for over 25 years in some parts of the zone. Council 16A is the newest area sponsor. OPIE has been lauded for not only the deserved personal recognition individuals receive but also for the positive public relations generated in local communities. Anyone interested in putting their own OPIE program together can contact the staff in any of above-mentioned Coordinating Councils for information.

At the direction of President Lu Battaglieri, Uniserv offices in the zone last year began evaluating current site and lease arrangements. The objective is to determine whether the purchase of office locales and the subsequent equity is in our member’s best interest. We examined three office sites since last October and determined to purchase our Ironwood location, make a probable bid to build a replacement location near the existing Traverse City Uniserv office and explore a purchase site in Escanaba to replace the current rental. In June the Ironwood purchase will be completed while work on the other two sites continues as we review of leases expiring this calendar year.

One of the ways the Northern Zone prospers is through an approach called FUTURE SEARCH, an organizational method jointly adopted by leaders, members, and staff several years ago during a two-day meeting. Last summer a second Future Search meeting was assembled, again attracting approximately 100 participants. Last summers theme centered on meeting the needs of the "new member." In addition to our existing zone committees covering bargaining, public relations, and political action we established three more–

One outgrowth of the professional development committee is the funding of new member focus groups being scheduled around the zone this summer and fall. We’ll be listening to new members tell us about their ideas for professional development and what they need to enhance their success.

A workshop is also being designed to help newer members understand the Association and employment in public education. It’s being piloted in the Houghton-Hancock area. This was developed by the Association training committee with the objective of standardizing the workshop format for use around the rest of the zone next year. The technology committee scored a major achievement over the winter by creating and bringing the northern zone web page on-line. The site has received numerous kudos and continues to grow in use each month. And what else?

More than anything we think the Future Search model helps us sustain a creative, productive and professional manner in delivering service to MEA members. It’s a process that fosters communication, joint problem solving, and decision-making with members, leaders and staff. We are dedicated to continuing our Future Search commitment.

Michigan's new schools superintendent, Tom Watkins, is asking for suggestions from the state's teachers, parents, and citizens. A new form (launched on Friday, May 11) linked to the Michigan Department of Education website allows for anonymous comments from the public. All messages will be forwarded to the superintendent. Just go to the website and click on "SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS."
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For three days in April several northern zone staff joined colleagues from around the state to receive training in preventing and responding to school violence. The training, designed by the MEA Staff Task Force on School Violence, grew out of the reality of school place violence, which touched Michigan in the shooting death of kindergartner Kayla Roland.
That event along with the tragedies in Columbine and Stockton, California focused MEA's attention not only on learning the lessons of school place violence but on steps to prepare for future occurrences. The MEA Representative Assembly directed staff to develop such a response plan for Michigan. The Zone staff attending the training were: Kathleen Betts, Dave Bowman, Jeanne Cooper-Kuiper, Marty Lankford, Brad Richards, Rick Schultz, Tom Taylor, Sandy Walker, Melisa Winn and Mary Ann Zimmerman. Trainers included Scott Poland, Ed. D., Director of Psychological Services for Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (Houston, Texas), Dexter Meyer, Uniserv Director for the Columbine Schools area, Valerie Preston, Uniserv Director for Stockton, California area and Myra Reichart, Communications Specialists for the Pennsylvania State Education Association. All of these individuals have direct experience in dealing with the aftermath of school shootings. A critical piece of the training involved working with the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) Model. NOVA staff were on-site in Columbine and most of the other high profile school violence situations experienced over the last five years. As a result of this training and previous work done by the Task Force, MEA staff are now completing the final phases of recommendations for a statewide plan to implement Crisis Response Teams in each zone and MEA Headquarters. Northern Zone staff will meet later this month to finalize the zone plan and coordinate our efforts with the rest of the state. A full communication to members and the general public regarding this critical issue will be developed by MEA Communications over the summer.
If you have questions about the Crisis Response Team, please call the Northern Zone Office at 1-800-380-3251.
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Council	Unsettled Units	Prior Unsettled	No. Contracts Expiring 2004	Average % increase 03/04
9E-9/13	3	0	4	2.25
13/9	8	1	3	2.93
13A	2	0	3	2.34
13B	9	1	7	3.13
13CD	9	5	8	2.32
14A	5	0	6	2.95
14BC	4	1	16	2.98
15A	15	1	8	2.13
15B	5	0	7	1.90
16A	3	0	10	2.35
17A	0	0	5	2.43
17B	4	0	5	2.34
17C	4	0	7	2.65
18A	2	0	7	2.26
18B	6	2	6	2.63

Total	79	11	102	2.48

Council	Unsettled Units	Prior Unsettled	No. Contracts Expiring 2004	Average % increase 03/04
9E-9/13	13	1	2	2.76
13/9	8	1	3	2.93
13A	5	0	3	2.39
13B	9	1	7	3.13
13CD	10	5	7	2.34
14A	7	1	6	3.25
14BC	5	1	16	2.98
15A	17	1	8	2.13
15B	7	0	5	2.05
16A	5	0	10	2.69
17A	0	0	5	2.43
17B	4	0	5	2.34
17C	4	0	7	2.65
18A	7	0	7	2.53
18B	6	2	6	2.63

Total	107	13	97	2.60

Council	Unsettled Contracts For 2002	Prior Unsettled For 2001	No. Contracts Expiring 2003	Average % increase 02/03
9E-9/13	2	0	14	2.73
13/9	1	1	8	3.01
13A	0	0	5	2.96
13B	1	1	10	2.97
13CD	12	0	12	3.05
14A	1	0	8	3.08
14BC	1	0	15	3.00
15A	1	1	16	2.74
15B	0	0	11	2.58
16A	2	0	10	3.10
17A	1	0	8	2.97
17B	0	0	6	2.68
17C	0	0	9	2.85
18A	0	0	16	2.89
18B	2	0	9	2.19

Total	24	3	157	2.88

Contracts Open to Bargain 2002

	EA	ESP	Ghost	Prior Yr.
9E/9-13	4	1
13	22	16	1	11
14	8	8	1	2
15	6	8		5
16	4	1		1
17	12	9	1
18	8	5

Totals:	64	48	3	19

Northern Zone News