A President Says Goodbye

Last Thursday was the ceremony for the changing of the guard for ABCFT. When one set of hardworking union activists were able to look back on a job well done and another set of union activists started their own journey of being the new guardians. The retirements of Laura Rico and Steve Harris are and will be monumental in ABCFT history.

 I won't kid you, seeing Laura Rico ride into the sunset has been bitter sweet to watch, but if you look into her face now that she is not the acting president you can see the relief in her face. She is walking away with the satisfaction of knowing that this union is in good hands and that she has made ABC a better place. If you look at Steve Harris today you can see that same satisfied look on his face. Both Laura and Steve gave heartfelt well wishing and thanked everyone for the honor of holding their many different positions in ABCFT over the years. Both Laura and Steve have both been "doing the right thing" for others for a long time. Laura and Steve, we thank you for all you have done!

Here's what I will be doing this week in ABC:

Sometime this week I would like to send out an email to everyone thanking them for giving me both the honor and privilege to "do the right thing" as President for ABCFT. For now I will just say thank you from the bottom of my heart and get right back to the business of the union. The clock is ticking as we move toward vacation and there are a massive amount of issues that need to be addressed.

• This Monday I will have a lunch time discussion with Fedde Middle School and I will set plans for another meeting later in the week.
• Tuesday their will be a ABCUSD School Board meeting and Laura Rico will give her final employee report and introduce me as ABCFT President.
• Tuesday the ABCFT negotiating team will be at the table to discuss calendar and other issues.
• Wednesday the C.U.P.S.S (Coalition United for Public Schools and Services) will meet to discuss ABC employee issues.
• Thursday there will be a general meeting to discuss budget issues and a possible tentative agreement on calendar depending on Tuesdays negotiations.
• Thursday the new ABCFT Eboard will convene for the first time.
• Friday I will be meeting with Ross Middle School teachers during lunch to follow-up on my earlier visit.
• We will work on getting out any negotiating information out to all unit members ASAP.

If you haven't read Rubens post on a "Teacher is a Teacher is a Teacher" please take the time to read his thoughts on educators and how all teachers are valuable.

In solidarity!

Ray Gaer
ABCFT President