04/08/1987 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Mr. Rutan said the strike and the closure of the schools means that both sides have failed in the negotiations. He said the negotiations have been going on for a long time and all the issues involved could be resolved today. He said the negotiations involve no unique or new issues. He said a willingness and commitment on both sides to solve the problems is needed and both bargaining teams should be reminded that the issues can be resolved. He said closed schools are not acceptable and the strike benefits no one. He said the bargaining teams should put the critical issues on the table and negotiate and settle them. Ms. Ehrman said this is the community's second strike within ten years and neither side seems to have learned from the last one, although negotiations have been going on for a year and a half. She said children and their families are the losers in the strike. She hopes it will be settled soon. Mr. Holmer said 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. television newscasts indicted that the most recent proposal from the EEA would cost the school district an additional $14 million. He said the negotiation process seems to have failed completely and he is not sure the responsibility rests on both sides. He said he agrees that a public information forum would be helpful. He said the State Factfinder's report which the school board has accepted contains good information and presents a reasonable offer. He suggested the EEA present as specific a proposal. He said it would helpful for the whole community if the two proposals were placed on an advisory ballot so citizens could assess them. He said citizens are similar to stockholders in a corporation and it seems the managers and employees cannot agree. He hopes the strike will be short and solved in an orderly way. He said the strike is dangerous for children and it will not be solved unless the process or people are changed. ~ Ms. Schue said she is frustrated by the situation because she knows people on both sides. She said she is not in a position to know who is right, who is wrong, or what the contracts should include but she knows the people of the commuoity are the losers in the situation and a quick settlement will benefit everyone. She said she will cooperate in finding a solution. Ms. Bascom said data indicate that school systems are very important in a community's search for economic growth and well-being. She said good school systems attract industry. Consequently, the council "has a stake" in the situation. Mr. Bennett said he encouraged Mayor Obi e to take appropri ate action to pressure both sides to find a solution. Mayor Obie said the strike is shocking. He said public officials should do everything possible to see that the strike is settled as soon as possible. He said both negotiators have failed their institutions and the community because the year they have had to solve the problems is adequate. He said the negotiators should step aside if they cannot find a solution in the next day or two. He said people tell him the strike should be settled, the settlement should retain the current tax base and curr~nt programs, and the community should have pride in the settlement. He said the strike has damaged the community and, if progress is not made in a short time, he will ask the public e MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 8, 1987 Page 2