Message from the Executive Director
Brian Christensen, Executive Director
UNITY - STRENGTH - POWER
Dear Members:
I cannot express to you enough my sincere appreciation, honor and privilege to be the Executive Director for the Education Support Employees Association. This organization was founded in 1967 in order for employees (then known as “classified” employees) to have a voice in order to protect their workplace rights. For the last 45 years, ESEA has grown to become a respected organization that battles daily for your rights in the workplace. Today, Education Support Professionals (no longer considered “classified” employees as we are not a top secret workforce that is
Education Support Employees Association
hidden in the crevices of schools, department buildings, playgrounds, cafeterias and every other place learning occurs). We are the backbone of education. We are the support to the learning of our students. We must never forget the affect we have on the learning conditions in the schools of Clark County, Nevada.
For the last decade, ESEA’s success and strength has been tested by a battle that is (in my opinion) ridiculous and defies the meaning of union solidarity and brotherhood. Since 2002, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and specifically local 14, has been taking action that is unconscionable to me. They are doing to ESEA exactly what the politicians nationwide are trying to do to unions collectively; weaken and bust the strength of the bargaining unit and the collectively bargained agreement.
Now is the time to stand united and protect what you and others before you have worked so hard to accomplish; the contract between ESEA and CCSD that determines the wages, hours, benefits and working conditions of your employment. ESEA is the only bargaining agent that represents Education Support Professionals exclusively in Clark County, Nevada. We have the strength of a state organization, Nevada State Education Association (NSEA) and a national organization, National Education Association (NEA) with 3.2 million members, the largest in the United States of America that represents you daily in work related grievances, contract protection and lobbying efforts to protect the people who value education and student achievement. In fact, the teamsters lobby against education funding at the state and national level in order to build their own coffers. Don’t let them fool you by telling you all the great things they can accomplish as a representative to you, the education professionals.
Our contract needs to be protected and it is you and only you that can ensure its protection. Article 38-3 clearly states that the Negotiated Agreement immediately terminates in the event recognition is withdrawn. I know what the teamsters are saying; that they can take the current contract and build from it. I will be frank and honest with you, no, they cannot. Your contract would no longer be honored by CCSD and local 14 would have to start from nothing. Are you willing to take that risk? I hope not, too many people have volunteered time, tears and passion to provide the contract you have today. Without it, the Clark County School District would have unilateral ability to reduce wages, reduce hours, reduce benefits and eliminate due process. Now, are you willing to risk losing what you have?
ESEA is a strong organization and it is imperative that you provide the truth to those who may be unaware of the threat and encourage those that are not members to join. On Tuesday, February 7, 2012, I attended the Employee Management Relations Board (EMRB) board meeting. The EMRB ordered that a runoff election from the 2006 representative election take place. The teamsters are making visits, giving false and derogatory information about ESEA because they are desperate for money; they believe that ESEA members’ dues will fit nicely in their coffers.
The teamsters want your money and they are trying any and every tactic to get you convinced that they will represent you. Well, they won’t. Remember, the Negotiated Agreement will end immediately if ESEA (YOU) were to go away; wages, hours, working conditions, benefits, etc…, gone - each and every item that has been bargained by ESEA; by you since 1969 when Nevada authorized through law the ability for public employees to bargain their wages, hours and working conditions. Don’t be fooled, ESEA is the recognized and respected bargaining unit because you have made it that way... Stand tall, be proud and most of all, unite. Contact your coworkers that are not members and let them know the importance of membership in order to protect our contract. Have serious discussion with them regarding their workplace rights, and ask of them to join us in our cause.
YOU are the union and YOU are what makes ESEA strong. Believe in your accomplishments and believe in your abilities. Be involved, be active and be informed. Knowledge is power and unity is strength.
In Absolute Solidarity,
Brian L Christensen
Executive Director
ARTICLE 38-3
“This agreement shall immediately terminate in the event recognition is withdrawn and sustained after all avenues of appeal have been exhausted accordance with NRS.”
NRS 288.160 (Item #2)
2. If an employee organization, at or after the time of its application for recognition, presents a verified membership list showing that it represents a majority of the employees in a bargaining unit, and if the employee organization is recognized by the local government employer, it shall be the exclusive bargaining agent of the local government employees in that bargaining unit.
