Jim Morrissette to school board member Larry Watson on the teachers' contract
November 18, 1984
Item tclc-0160  https://adolfhoromero.com/archive/tclc/items/tclc-0160/

Machine-generated text (OCR) from photographs of the original pages. Not corrected; it contains errors.
The page images are the authoritative record.

===== Page 1 (page 69 of box 3-6.pdf) =====
Larry Watson
Ithaca School Board

11/18/84
Dear Mr. Watson

I am writing to you concerning the current crises in tke
Ithaca City School District. I write not only as a person active in the
Labor Movement but also as a tax payer and a parent. My son is in the second
grade at South Hill School and my daughter will be a studeht in a few years.

I recently attended a meeting of the Ithaca Teachers Asso.
and saw my son's teacher there in attendence. I realized how, as a parent,
I was so demanding on her skills, committment, time and energy. I also
realized how working without a contract, especially in the present atmosphere
in the District, saps her of her morale, threatens her self respect, and
attacks her dignity as a person and as a professional teacher. As a trade
unionist I am concerned about justice and fair play for the teachers, and
as a father I am angry about conditions that will ultimately effect the
healthy development of my son.

I am disturbed when I hear of the attacks on the old contract.
I am especially concerned when I hear catch phrases like “mandatory evaluations
and “merit pay". These concepts, which are prevalent in anti-union campaigns,
only serve to humiliate the teachers and can never result in quality education.

Most disturbing of all is the fact that members of the School

Board have yet to appear at the bargaining table. As elected officials, how
do you explain this failure to become involved in these talks which are so
vital to our entire community? Many people I've talked to agree with the
view that involvment in the negotiating process by yourself and other members
of the Board can succeed in bringing this long and painful impass to an end.

We recently shared the same platform at the Women's Community
Building. I am asking that you carry that same spirt of hope into this local
struggle. I believe you possess the strength and courage to inspire the Board
to quick and decisive action. I look to you to initiate a free and open
dialogue with the Teachers Asso. And I look to you to protect the hard earned
rights of our very fine teachers. Nothing less than the enrichment of our ‘i
children depends upon your action and good faith.

Sincerely,

Jim Morrissette, Chair
Tompkins-Cortland Joint Labor

Address redacted

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