Minutes of the Living Wage Task Force (LWTF) 11-19-11, IEA Naperville Office
Meeting began at 830 AM – Present : Alene Blade, Linda Martin, Dave Rathke
Report from three project locals (Champaign, Dixon, Belvidere) is that progress has been slow. One reason is the lack of materials developed for distribution to members. This will be discussed later in meeting. A “Living Wage” PowerPoint was developed and used for training at the October 2011 ESP Conference. Over forty participants were in attendance. The Downers Grove ESPs and their UniServ Director used the PowerPoint in a training with around 20 members November 15, are planning to use the issue in upcoming bargaining and have requested a follow-up meeting on Living Wage in January. We will email the PowerPoint to all Task Force members. We have obtained and distributed buttons at the ESP Council: “All Workers Deserve a Living Wage.”
The Task Force decided to use “1 Parent/1 Child” as the Baseline for Development of “Living Wage” Education and Training Materials. This was a follow-up to the Task Force discussion at the September 2011 Springfield All Committee Weekend. This step allows us to move forward on developing educational pieces to educate and agitate on the issue.
The Task Force decided to use the March 14-17 Representative Assembly as a major coming out event on LIVING WAGE to educate and agitate IEA delegates and members and to provide a deadline for development of further “Living Wage” educational pieces to educate and agitate on the issue. The Task Force proposed this possible scenario for the RA:
LWTF will develop a short DVD (3-5 minutes) to explain and agitate for Living Wage. This will be done by Dave Rathke in conjunction with Bob Ray and Mark Ritterbusch from Communications. We will seek to have the DVD shown to the entire RA in lieu of an oral report from the Task Force. The DVD can then be shown across the state. LWTF will also develop a sharp pamphlet on Living Wage for distribution to all delegates. We will obtain a table at the RA for Living Wage to distribute our materials including buttons and attempt to secure a “Living Wage Banner” for the table.
LWTF will also ask for an “Open Hearing” at the RA and will participate in the Legislative Open Hearing in support of a Living Wage plank. We will gather postcards/petition aimed at a yet to be determined public official tying living wage to passage of a progressive income tax. We will attempt to attend Region Caucuses to promote Living Wage and be at the Board of Directors meeting on the eve of the RA to solicit these invites. LWTF will use its members, approach the ESP Council to help and solicit volunteers for these activities.
Other materials will include a “Questionnaire: Where Do You Stack Up?” with blank lines for members to fill in their own living expenses parallel to our Living Wage criteria. This will get them thinking about how a Living Wage impacts them directly and provide “raw” data for their district. If we use it at the RA, we will have a drawing with prizes if they turn it in.
In addition, we will explore other promotional materials including T-Shirts, Coffee Cups, and a limited edition poster.
At the January 28 Living Wage Task Force Meeting we need to discuss a “Legislative Proposal” for inclusion in the Legislative Platform, tighten up plans for the RA and further explore what events we can have a LW presence at among IEA members and leaders. We also need to reach out to the ESP Council and Higher Ed Council.
The Task Force also discussed a “Training of Trainers” to present “Living Wage” both internally and within our communities. One event should be held up north and one in the Edwardsville area.
Some upcoming events and dates important to our “Living Wage” presence:
Jan 2012 – Midwest Leadership/IEA Board of Directors
Jan. 28 Task Force Meeting
Feb. Board of Directors Mug; IPACE Recommendation Meetings
March 14-17 RA
July NEA-RA
Aug SLA
September Labor Day Parades
Dec. REO School Board Nominations
Check with ESP Council, Higher Ed
RC and other meetings
NEXT MEETING OF THE TASK FORCE IS Saturday JANUARY 28, 2012 FROM 9 AM – 3 PM IN THE IEA NAPERVILLE OFFICE