Na Na Goodbye . . . Victory is priceless

Foundation to end drug work at prisons in deal to end strike
By Rex W. HuppkeTribune staff reporterPublished August 30, 2006

Rather than meet the demands of striking drug counselors at the Sheridan Correctional Center, the Chicago-based Gateway Foundation announced Tuesday that it will stop providing counseling services to Illinois prisons once its contract expires at the end of the year.

That decision was part of an agreement with the counselors' union that ended a nearly 3-month strike at one of the nation's largest drug-treatment prisons. About 40 Gateway counselors walked out June 6 demanding higher pay and better benefits.

The two sides have yet to set a date for the striking workers to return to Sheridan. The Gateway counselors working at Sheridan voted to unionize last year, and since then employees at two other Illinois prisons have followed suit.

"We didn't really want to risk duplicating this situation at other facilities," said Martha Yount, vice president of human resources for Gateway. " This is something that we really didn't want to happen, but it did, and we need to continue forward with our mission, which is to serve the people that no one else wants to serve."

Under terms of the agreement, the Sheridan counselors will continue to work for Gateway--without raises or enhanced benefits--until the end of the year or until the state finds a new vendor, whichever comes first. Anders Lindall, spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, said the state has agreed to urge any new vendor to retain the drug counselors who work for Gateway.

Though the agreement leaves the workers without a contract, or at this point even a replacement employer, Lindall said the strike's resolution was "a clear victory." "They insisted on being treated fairly, on having a voice at work through their union," he said. "They took a great risk going out on strike for those principles."

Abby Ottenhoff, spokeswoman for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, confirmed that the state has accepted the agreement and will seek a new vendor for Sheridan and the other nine correctional facilities Gateway serves. Sheridan, praised by many as a national model for prison reform, has been one of the centerpieces of Blagojevich's administration.

SUCK IT UP

Down another game, we did better, but not good enough. Check out these shots. Cyrano making the tackle . . .

Cyrano down for about 2 minutes - made me a little nervous but once I saw him up I knew he was good to go.

Cyrano up and moving - SUCK IT UP . . . You can do it.

Cyrano plays "center" now, he is good at it too.

Next weeks game is on Sunday.

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school. Hard to believe I have a first and fifth grader. WOW. Look how cute and handsome. I'm so excited school started. It was nice having the summer off I just wish I had more money to do more things. I'm still on strike 12 weeks now. That is cool . . . I do have a job interview tomorrow for some part-time work . . . christmas money. I'm sure this will be a fun filled year.



Here are a few more pictures of the kids on their first day :)

Fish Anyone?

I like BIG fish and I cannot lie . . . you other fisherman cannot deny . . . that when another fisherman catches fish you wish . . . and they dream bye. Awesome CATCH daddy!

Cyrano's First Game :(

Cyrano had his first game yesterday in Oswego . . . they lost. Cyrano is one of the TEAM CAPTAINS!




Oswego had a very very large team, plus this is the first year for several of the Eagles and Oswego has been playing for years. This is Cyrano in the green/silver uniform. Look at the size of the kid he is tackling . . . like a foot taller. He did well, he blocked and tackled.

It was a fun game, it rained a little at the end . . . which was cool. Ayana liked watching "BROTHER" play.

Hopefully next Saturdays game will be a WINNER!

Chub Club ? Check it out . . . I am

I found this club online and am thinking about joining. I wanted to share with all my friends and family. Its called the http://chub-club.blogspot.com/ - its very reasonable and it might just motivate some of us couch potatoes. What do we have to loose . . . except some body weight. Check it out.

Eagles Football

Check out this "Defensive Tackle" wow! This is Cyrano's 6th year playing football. I'm so proud of him. We moved from the Morris league to our hometown league. We are now the Eagles!

Here is Cyrano's team picture. Most of the kids are first year players and a handful have played more then one year, I think Cyrano has the most years playing . . . it shows on the field too.

I always take my own pictures . . . I think they turned out just as good. Here is a picture of the "COACH and PLAYER" (father / son) gotta love them :)

Cyrano's first game is next Saturday. A week from tomorrow. I can't wait. I'm sure it will be fun fun fun.

Secret Pal Strikes Again

I must say this is the "Best" secret pal. This is only my second time participating and she is great. Check all the stuff out . . . needles, handmade needle case, pattern, NORO yarn (my favorite) and of course some chocolate! I loved coming home to this package . . . I have my final package all ready to send my SP.

I registered my children for school . . . summer flew bye. Its hard to believe I have a 5th grader and a 1st grader. Lit Cyrano's football has started. WOW is he good. Pictures are tomorrow and I will be taking my own "professional" pictures too. Cheaper much cheaper and isn't this why I bought a thousand dollar camera???

Want to Attempt . . . someday :)

I soooo badly want to attempt to make this scarf. I saw it on DIY Knitty Gritty. Its called the Möbius Cowl Scarf. I think I can do it. I went to a yarn store in Lower Michigan on my way home from picking up my daughter and they didn't carry the needles I needed for the project soooo, I will continue to look. I'm thinking about going up to Midwest Stitches at Rosemount in Chicago this weekend. But I also don't want to spend the money at this time. Whats on my needles??? a purse what else. I'm making one for "Abbey" my organizer from my Union.

So So Sorry . . . but I'm BACK

I'm so so sorry. I have not had internet in 3 weeks. Please forgive me :) With being on strike I had to pick and choose what to pay at one point, I WILL NEVER go without a phone and internet again. I'm sorry to my Secret Pal and my Sender. Please forgive.

Been on strike now 10 WEEKS! and we will win at some point.