Members,

It is that time again. 

This school year we will be working hard to negotiate a new agreement with the district.  Thinking about the negotiations process has caused me to do a great deal of reflection.  Our team will be working hard to represent you and your needs as teachers and staff in District 203, trying to improve your working environment as well as the usual stuff like salary and benefits.

I am struck with the idea that our new team will be doing the same work that our negotiations teams have done over the years.  All of our negotiators have worked hard to make things better for our members and profession in District 203. 

Negotiations is a difficult process that, at times, is very hard to go through.  It takes a lot out of a person, yet there are always members in our Association that are willing to step up and do this work for the good of us all.

Our contract did not just happen.  Every paragraph and phrase, the structure of our benefits and salary are a result of the difficult conversations, the sweating over little details and artful persuasion.  The contract we have today would not be the same without the endless meetings, long sessions, and arguments. This does not even take into account the hours of discussion and debate among the members of our own teams. It is said that the most difficult negotiation is among ourselves.

Our contract today is a result of the hard work and commitment of many members now gone, or who soon will retire.  The contract changes and evolves with each negotiation, but it is built on the foundation provided for us by those before us. Many things District 203 teachers take for granted are the result of the struggles and fights in the past.  Our sick leave, personal leave, insurance and stipends, our protections by the grievance process, RIF were not simply given to us but earned by us through very hard times.

One might ask, “If negotiations are so difficult and time consuming why do members do it?”  It is because when negotiations are over, we often have a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction knowing that we have made a difference.

It is critical that we understand that we are not just negotiating for the next contract.  Each negotiations team, now and in the future is entrusted to protect the work of our colleagues over the past 40 years.  It is the responsibility of each negotiations team to preserve what is good, to keep what our members fought so hard to get that has made Naperville a good place to work.  It is up to each negotiations team to build on the solid foundation that has been provided for us.

Just as we are now, each negotiations team in the future needs to be thankful for those who were there at the critical times, who showed the strength to fight for what we have.  We need to remember that our contract came from our members (some of which we may even remember) like:

Cal Grosshuesch
Tom Listina 
Ron Gibson
Bill Gommel
Paul Briet
John Meis 
Dick Pope
Neal McCauley
Dianne McGuire
Wally Baxendale
Dick Smith 
Meridith Brown 
Sandy Hill
Bill Bennett
Joyce Speer
John Cotton
Ed Rosenthal

These members, along with many others were significant contributors to today’s contract.

This year, the NUEA sought applications for the negotiations team and interviewed all candidates.  The team was then presented to the NUEA Representative Assembly for approval.  With our new negotiations team, carrying on the long traditions that have been established, I feel secure that the stewardship of our contract will be honored.  By the time we start the negotiations process, our team will have spent a great deal of time training, seeking input from you, and preparing our positions to best represent you at the table.

Your NUEA negotiations team is:

 I want to thank these members for their commitment and time they will be devoting to all of us. 

David Griffith
President