Friday musings

More than 200 stopped by for a bit this morning to show some support for our bargaining team. UniServ Representative Jim Gow and back-up bargainer Jill Van Glubt spent a few minutes thanking KEA members and explained that mediation will continue today as long as the teams feel there is possible forward movement.

While the team was disappointed in the lack of movement yesterday, today is a new day and they will do everything they can to make sure KEA members receive a fair and competitive contract. Speaking of the bargaining team, who are they and why are they willing to hole up in a windowless room day after day?

KEA President Rob Woodford in  discussion with a member.

For those who are curious, read on. KEA President Rob Woodford was on the team until recently. Once we voted to go on strike, he re-prioritized and is now spending his time talking with members, connecting with new members and handling media interviews.

Meet the KEA Bargaining Team

Valerie Swanger

Head bargainer Valerie Swanger is beginning her fourth year teaching fifth graders at Amistad Elementary. Valerie says she bargains because she wants to make a difference and help improve the contract.

Sarah Ard

Sarah Ard began teaching in 1995. She works at Phoenix High School and says she is on the bargaining team because teaching is in her blood. Both of her grandmothers and both of her aunts were teachers; her daughter wants to be a teacher. "I want the next generation of teachers to have a viable profession," Sarah says.

Rebecca Riley

Rebecca Riley, who has been seen in the bargaining room working diligently on jigsaw puzzles teaches at Horse Heaven Hills Middle School. She says she is on the bargaining team "for the voices that sometimes get left out." Rebecca's dad was a union man so it's a natural for her to be an active KEA bargainer.

Tom Riel

Tom Riel is a 26-year veteran teacher at Kennewick High School. This is his second go-around with this team. When asked why he likes being on the bargaining team, he says, "I don't know if I like being a bargainer," he said, but a lot of KEA members told him to be on the team because he is responsible and he can be diplomatic.

Kim Berna

Kim Berna has been teaching for 31 years and was involved in Kennewick's last strike in 1992. She's been on and off the bargaining since that time and the Eastgate Elementary teacher says she continues to bargain because, "I am a glutton for punishment."

Janet Bell

Janet Bell, a Sage Crest Elementary teacher, has been teaching for 25 years and says she is on the team to make sure teachers and other educators receive the pay and working conditions they deserve.

Melissa Schneider

KEA Vice President Melissa Schneider, an Amon Creek Elementary fifth grade teacher, has been in public education since 1990. She was on the team last year. She loves this profession and she wants to make sure we can keep qualified teachers in Kennewick. It bothers her, she says, that good people won't even consider teaching because of poor working conditions or inadequate compensation.

David Campbell

UniServ Council President and KEA member David Campbell has been in public education for 26 years. He has spent the last 15 years at Kennewick High. He bargains, he says, because he wants to guaranty, as much as possible, that everyone gets their fair share.

Jim Gow

Our bargaining team is supported by WEA Southeast UniServ Representative Jim Gow and backup bargainer Jill Van Glubt (not pictured).

"We feel like we're in a bubble," says team members.

Bargaining team members say the feel isolated (because it's true). It's important to let them know we are behind them in their work and that we stand in solidarity to give them the power we all need to get us a fair settlement.
They ask you to continue to wear red shirts. They ask you to contact school board members and to ask others to do the same. They ask you to stay positive, trust your bargaining team and, of course, don't believe everything you read. They want you to know that they hear you but they are not necessarily getting back to you. They appreciate positive messages.