Press Release

Richmond Teachers to Hold Union Elections after Recent Contract Controversy

Challenge the Current President’s History of 35 Years in UTR Leadership!

The United Teachers of Richmond (UTR) want a change to proactive leadership. The Committee to Elect Proactive Leadership will run a slate in the upcoming March Elections for a new UTR President and Executive Board. The Committee to Elect Proactive Leadership believes it is time that our members have a union conscious leadership committed to true collaboration, communication, and transparency. Recently, there has been increasing controversy and unrest within UTR.

On December 14, 2009 UTR teachers narrowly ratified a disastrous concessionary tentative agreement (TA), new contract, which is disastrous for teachers and students of West Contra Costa Unified School District. This contract was ratified by a narrow margin of eight votes, or 23% of the membership in a faulty rushed vote process.

In May 2009, rank-and-file voted 98% to reject the districts’ demands of givebacks and concessions. In August, 2009 members passed a 93% strike authorization vote.

For 18 months, the UTR leadership paid no attention to members and continually pushed unpopular and unwanted cuts. Members fought to save health insurance premiums, class size maximums and furloughs and got no support from the current UTR leadership.

The UTR leadership opposed members’ willingness to fight against cuts and concessions. In their determination to ram concessions down members’ throat, UTR union leaders broke our democratic bylaws and standing rules. Challenges to the election results and procedures to collect signatures to recall President, Pixie Hayward Shickele have been filed.

UTR members will have the opportunity to make deep and powerful changes in union leadership. More information on candidates and campaign platforms in the March UTR Elections will be posted on our blog @ TheProactiveUTRleadership.blogspot.com

Contact Information: Eric Swabeck, (510) 501-7347 Margaret Browne, (510) 672 1898