AFT-CFT AFL-CIO Local 1936
		March 26, 2004 Volume 8, Issue 11

PVFT Negotiators sharpen skills
Your negotiators attended a training seminar in "Interest-Based Bargaining" (IBB), at the Center for Collaborative Solutions. In IBB the parties look for common ground and attempt to satisfy mutual interests through the bargaining process. Traditional bargaining focuses on taking and defending positions. IBB explores both parties' interests and tries to reconcile them. IBB looks for mutually acceptable ways to satisfy labor and management needs.

The PVFT negotiating team presented the process to the PVFT Executive Board with enthusiasm and a commitment to lay the groundwork for pursuing this form of negotiations. The Board concurred.

This year, your negotiators are working to enhance your contract and your working conditions. PVFT will survey certificated staff soon to determine your concerns.

If you want to know more, talk to your negotiating team: Carmen Gagne, Peggy Pughe, Michael Hillyer, Joe Manildi, George Lerek and Kim Turley.

COPE Buck-a-Month Club
We can build a stronger union by filling a hefty Committee on Political Education campaign chest.
With enough members indicating just a $1.00 monthly contribution on COPE 's payroll deduction card, we can rapidly build up a sizeable war chest.

In conjunction with the PVFT Executive Board, COPE will endorse a slate of union-friendly candidates for the fall School Board election and allocate resources from the fund.

Your COPE members have been attending trainings and holding regular meetings to make sure that this happens.
Anyone contributing to the COPE fund is a member of COPE. See your building rep or click "Forms" on www.pvft.net. Every dollar helps!

News for you

Retirement incentive
As the final step in the retirement incentive program, teachers who qualify for district medical leave and meet all of the requirements of S.E.R.P., may apply for retirement with the incentive no later than April 10, 2004.

Labor film fest-Reel Work
The May Day Labor Film Festival runs April 25 - May 1. Reel Work features newer documentaries and classic labor films shown locally. Admission by donation. For full schedule, log on to www.reelwork.org
A partial listing:

• Sunday, April 25, Noon, Nichelodeon Theatre, Santa Cruz
  • "Modern Times" (Charlie Chaplin, 1936, 87 min.)
    • Man molded to the machine age.
• Tuesday, April 27, 7 pm, Kresge Town Hall , UCSC, Theme: Women and Globalization
  • "Love, Women, and Flowers" (1999, 33 min.)
    • Women in Colombia's toxic flower industry.
  • "In the Weeds: Waiting For A Living" (1996, 25 min)
    • Women in the restaurant industry.
  • "Made In Thailand" (1999, 33 min.)
    • Women organize in an oppressive factory.
• Friday, April 30, 7 pm, Cabrillo College Watsonville Center Forum
  • "Los Mineros" (1990, 60 min.)
    • Luis Valdez narrates the history of Mexican-American copper miners in Arizona.

PVFT shines in LA at CFT Convention
Eleven PVFT delegates attended the annual CFT Convention in Los Angeles last weekend. Mamiche Young, Laura Azzaro, Peggy Pughe, Sarah Ringler, Joe Manildi, Stef Seffinger, Pat Christie, Mike and Kris Vasser, Carolyn Savino and Alanna Alter debated union policy, passed resolutions and attended education and labor workshops. We listened to speakers such as Texan populist Jim Hightower and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez.

CFT presented a dedicated unionist award to Ron Jones, WHS social studies teacher, PVFT charter member, long-time Executive Board representative and all-round union good guy! Joe Manildi, WHS physics teacher, showed his surprise at receiving kudos for his efforts as a new union activist. Joe worked hard during our membership drive and now shows his dedication on our negotiating team.
This publication garnered an award for general excellence and two honorable mentions.