I've spoken directly to Jim Merchant, the head of the teachers union, and told him to expect tough bargaining if I'm elected to the School Board.

The message is that he has no respect for the people he is bargaining with. ... He should bargain in good faith and defend that contract to the public.

It shows that even in tough bargaining, if the union and the company meet their responsiblities, a deal can be reached.

The union bargaining committee is recommending it be ratified.

That's the sort of thing that I have spoken to him about as a friend - I've told him you've got to bulk up,

When he told me about Jim, he was like a schoolboy.