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| MEA on 80/20 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: May 23 2011, 07:08 PM (1,480 Views) | |
| LPS Reformer | May 23 2011, 07:08 PM Post #1 |
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
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Link MEA Action Day draws thousands to Lansing Posted on 05/23/11 at 2:28pm Responding to ongoing attacks on public education and the middle class, ![]() thousands of MEA members traveled to Lansing on Saturday for MEA Action Day. Toting hand-made signs with messages such as “I make Michigan work,” “Merit pay for politicians first,” and “My students listen better than my governor,” teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, and social workers joined thousands of other union members at the Capitol to protest. Media reports estimated the crowd topped 10,000, making it the biggest rally yet this spring. Earlier that day, about 2,000 members and their families attended a picnic at MEA’s East Lansing headquarters, where hundreds registered to help fight budget cuts and legislation that would hurt students and communities. Check out a slideshow of photos from the events (coming soon). Saturday’s rally isn’t the last opportunity you’ll have to get involved – talk with your local association president to find out if any local events are planned. MEA members and local leaders will be at the Capitol Tuesday to lobby legislators – and you can help now by contacting your representative and senator. Ask him/her to stand up for public education and to protect your students, your school, and your community! Lawmakers are putting the finishing touches on the 2011-12 budgets for K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities this week – tell your legislators how these cuts will hurt constituents! You also could talk with your legislators about other bills on tap this week: •On Tuesday, the House Oversight, Reform, and Ethics Committee will hear testimony on legislation dealing with public employee health care – Senate Bill 7 and Senate Joint Resolution C, which the Senate approved last week, and House Bill 4572. Senate Bill 7 would require public employees to pay 20 percent of the cost of their health care. House Bill 4572 would cap how much public employers can pay for employee health insurance ($5,000 for individual coverage, $10,000 for two-person coverage, or $13,000 for family coverage). MEA opposes these bills – local school districts should have the power to decide through collective bargaining how much employees pay for insurance. •The full House could vote as early as Tuesday on a four-bill package to dismantle tenure and collective bargaining. The bills – House Bills 4625, 4626, 4627, and 4626 – were approved by the House Education Committee last week. Contact your representative to urge him/her to vote NO on these bills. •The House Education Committee will listen to a presentation Wednesday from Bill Rustem, director of strategic policy for Gov. Rick Snyder, whose recent education address called for major changes. MEA proposed a comprehensive plan for education reform – tell your legislator to take a look at our A+ Agenda for research-based, proven strategies for improving public schools. |
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“Child Abuse” means different things to different people.... ----Randy Liepa 8/9/12 | |
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| Purple Haze | May 24 2011, 06:27 AM Post #2 |
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Veteran
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if only these folks would stop going to Lansing and grading papers at malls and getting together to prevent a further "dumbing down" of our kids, as compared to the rest of the world
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| Ava | May 24 2011, 08:55 AM Post #3 |
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So what? Who cares?
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Right on, Purple! Re-channel all that energy into the kids. They are the future. The sad fact is the majority of kids aren't ready for college in MI. Parents aren't buying "it's for the children" anymore. |
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| Otis B. | May 24 2011, 08:58 AM Post #4 |
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Can someone please explain to me what tenure or higher insurance co-pays have to do with "protecting students, schools and the community"? |
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| Ava | May 24 2011, 09:01 AM Post #5 |
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So what? Who cares?
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Nothing. "Good" teachers won't be attracted to the profession, so the children suffer? Nah!!! |
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| Ava | May 24 2011, 09:08 AM Post #6 |
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So what? Who cares?
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A Conservative Teacher As a public school teacher, every day I battle to advance the principles of liberty and freedom. This is my story. Wednesday, March 16, 2011 General Strike Planned for Michigan: This is No Joke http://aconservativeteacher.blogspot.com/2011/03/general-strike-in-works-in-michigan-no.html My sources in the MEA indicate that the MEA is preparing for a teachers strike in May and will ask that other unions also join in this strike. The Michigan Education Association (MEA), which is the largest teachers union in Michigan, has asked all local affiliated teacher unions to approach their membership and ask the membership to authorize the MEA to take all and any actions necessary to put pressure on Michigan's state government, including going on strike. Michigan's striking teachers would be supported and joined by all union workers in the state of Michigan, from government employees, police, fire, and private labor unions like the UAW, with the intent on putting such pressure on the elected officials of Michigan that they would be forced to bargain and deal with the MEA. After years of the MEA backing the Democratic Party and using its campaign finances and manpower to hammer Republicans and conservatives and tea party supporters, they have no supporters and allies in the GOP dominated legislature or the Governor's office. Because the MEA has been so heavily attached to the Democratic Party (especially the liberal/communist wing of the Democratic party) and yet only a third of the MEA members are Democrats, Republicans around the state are convinced that the MEA does not represent the legitimate interests of teachers and so there will be little backlash against them for their attempts to balance the budget and maintain fiscal solvency for our state. After years of the MEA disrespect and hostility towards the GOP, they can no longer expect respect and kindness towards them in the bargaining process- they burned too many bridges for too long. This is not to say that teachers, represented by the MEA, could not find many areas of common ground with the GOP, the conservatives, and the tea party members, on a range of issues- for example, tax cuts for teachers or forcing local districts to use rainy day funds or pushing more power to the local level. This is to say that the MEA instead has decided to engage in a pissing match and it's going to get very messy. The MEA will be authorized by locals over the next month to threaten a strike, which they will begin to do in late April. The GOP will respond by calling their bluff and passing bills that weaken tenure, strengthen districts in the bargaining process, remove health care benefits for teachers, expand the power of emergency financial managers, or require more money for retirement accounts. This is sure to make the MEA beyond angry and it will threaten the strike, but once it comes time to pass a budget, a budget that will absolutely destroy local school districts budgets, then the strike will be called. The strike will likely occur in May. The locals won't give the MEA the authority until April and the school year is done and the state budget needs to be put together by June, so it will likely be in May. You heard it here first. UPDATE: Welcome readers of Michigan Capital Confidential! While you are here, please take a moment to look around my site and read some of my other posts, comment with your thoughts, learn a little something new, and have fun! |
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| Otis B. | May 24 2011, 10:09 AM Post #7 |
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Veteran
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If that blog post is accurate, the MEA is badly misreading the mood of residents and especially parents. They're dealing with enough problems in this economy and teachers walking out on their job over pay and benefits that are better than most is not going to go over well. I just hope Snyder and the legislature have the backbone to call the MEA's bluff. Snnyder already misplayed his hand by announcing that he doesn't want another Wisconsin, because it may very well be coming here soon if the Unions have their way. |
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| LPS Reformer | May 24 2011, 08:16 PM Post #8 |
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
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If teachers strike, they can provide a valuable lesson for thier students.... that no one is above the law. Of course, you might also say that it's Rick Snyder that will be doing the teaching, and the MEA that will be learning the lesson. |
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“Child Abuse” means different things to different people.... ----Randy Liepa 8/9/12 | |
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| DADDYOH10 | May 25 2011, 06:35 PM Post #9 |
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Veteran
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The MEA already has new jobs available...they will be starting seminars, teaching strategies to the Mafia. We can hardly wait for the fireworks... |
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| Broke | May 26 2011, 07:48 AM Post #10 |
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I find this entire thread fascinating and a bit offensive. I am a public school employee. I am support staff/special education para pro. I make $15.08 per hour - I am very close to the top of my pay scale. I work 42 weeks per year and my total GROSS pay is around 18,000 after taxes I bring home less than 14,000. I have a few paid holidays, but do not get paid for the entire two weeks at Xmas and Spring break, I don't work or get paid for PD days or Work Days. (I am not complaining about this, just letting you know for clarification purposes) I provide the health insurance for my family through my job, I contribute approximately $200 per month toward that insurance. Health insurance was the reason I took an exhausting job where I am kicked, hit, have my hair pulled, spit at and get to change bathroom accidents on a daily basis. My pay also pays for some groceries, kids activities/school supply type things, car insurance for both cars and gas/maintenance for my 10 year old car (which unfortunately this year was significant.) My husband who was laid off for almost a year has recently begun working again. During that time of course there were no kids activities, but we allowed the kids to do the parks/rec coach pitch this summer. We are big spenders. With this new law and a $13,000 contribution toward health insurance for my family - I will be working for health insurance alone. While I know that for the higher paid public employees this is merely "more sacrifice" It will essentially eliminate my entire take home pay. But hey, working in a public school is supposed to be a "calling" - My family doesn't need to eat, my kids don't need to play t-ball or have community ed dance like yours do. We can drive around without car insurance. You can tout about shared sacrifice and sanctimoniously insist that public school employees are overpaid and greedy. I work very hard and earn every measly dollar I bring home. This law is going to devastate my family just as we have gotten back on our feet. |
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| Purple Haze | May 26 2011, 09:31 AM Post #11 |
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I too, Broke, feel your pain, and appreciate that which you do. I also work for health insurance through my company's Section 125 plan. I will be laid off after 41 years in August, and am now looking for work to provide for my family as well. I do resent the benes our teachers receive - how could I not? I am a hard-working, responsible individual, not as book-learned as teachers, but more than willing to do a heck of a job for the money I am given. And no, I'm not paid anywhere near what a teacher gets. So Broke, maybe you can appreciate the other side in some small way. My two cents, so to speak. |
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| f11 | May 26 2011, 12:13 PM Post #12 |
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Sorry, I find your post insulting to the intelligence of the people who post here. You are to have us believe that "your" contribution to health care will be $13000? That would indicate, based on 80/20, that your health care coverage is costing, if my math is correct, $65,000. I find find that utterly impossible to believe. |
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| Justasking | May 26 2011, 12:16 PM Post #13 |
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Broke, You won't need to pay $13k for Health Insurance as I understand it. The district won't be allowed to spend more than 13k. You will make up the difference. Considering I get an excellent HAP HMO for my family of 4 for 15k, your cost shouldn't go up. (Disclosure: I have $20 copays and $10/$30/unlimited copays on Rx) EDIT: (The post above mine came in at about the same time, and it seems we are repeating things. Sorry) Edited by Justasking, May 26 2011, 12:18 PM.
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| Ava | May 26 2011, 12:18 PM Post #14 |
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So what? Who cares?
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She just misunderstood. You'll be alright, Broke. Hang in there. |
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| f11 | May 26 2011, 12:33 PM Post #15 |
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Another thing "Broke", based on the numbers you provided, its seems you only work about 28 hrs / per week. Many employers in the private sector don't provide/offer health insurance to "part-time" employees like yourself (sorry, 28 hrs a week is part-time). So I would consider yourself lucky to be only $200 a month. Just for reference, my families portion of health insurance is right around $155 a week Edited by f11, May 26 2011, 12:34 PM.
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| Mrs.M | May 26 2011, 12:40 PM Post #16 |
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I provide the health insurance for my family through my job, I contribute approximately $200 per month toward that insurance. Health insurance was the reason I took an exhausting job The employees health insurance and retirement funding, the city's issue too, is what is draining many of these budgets. $200/month is maybe $45/week, for a family of at least 4 (since you mentioned your kids and husband). I appreciate the employees acknowledging how wonderful the benefits are, which you did. I don't know if I would continue a job where I was 'mistreated or abused' as some of your comments imply. The benefits would certainly have to outweigh the drawbacks of a job, to remain employed where I am. I've read the city pays full time benefits for part time employees, that's enough to send up even larger red flags than just the issue of city owned vehicles! |
| I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG. | |
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| Broke | May 26 2011, 03:32 PM Post #17 |
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Actually MOST employers in private sector DO offer insurance to part time employees, however you must contribute toward it. F11, I'm not sure how big the stick you fell on is, but I hope you are able to remove it soon. I do consider myself lucky to pay $200 a month insurance. I am not complaining about contributing toward health insurance. I am paid for 6.5 hours a day, I typically work 8-9. My schedule is from 8:30-3:30. Budget cuts have cut my hours over the past few years. I hired in as a full time employee. Not my choice to work fewer hours. The number of weeks I work has also been decreased from 44 to 42. Again not my choice. Thank you to Just Asking and Ava for noticing I read public employers as public employees. I do not know offhand the total cost of my premium however assuming it is $13,000 . My share of that would be $2,600. Changes how I would have initially reacted, but doesn't change the fact that our legislators To Mrs M- I am special education para pro. The mistreatment is part of the job because the students are special needs and are not always in control of their behavior. It is however part of the job and something I need to put up with, It is one of those jobs I have heard parents say "You couldn't pay me enough to do it." It takes massive amounts of patience and some days I have almost none left for my own kids. Until I realized I had misread the article, I spent the day considering if it was worth it for no take home pay. |
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| f11 | May 26 2011, 04:41 PM Post #18 |
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You are absolutely wrong on this. Most part timers are not offered insurance. And even if they were, of course they would contribute to it. This isnt the public school system. And by contribute, I mean a lot more than $200 per month for a family. Oh and thanks for insulting me in your 2nd post here.
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| f11 | May 26 2011, 04:49 PM Post #19 |
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I don't understand your big gripe? You say you are paying $200 a month The new portion, is $2600....thats $216 a month? I don't really see a difference there. What am I missing? |
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| Ava | May 26 2011, 05:19 PM Post #20 |
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So what? Who cares?
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Broke, are your payments of $200 spread out over 12 months for a total of $2400 for the year? Or do you pay $200 a month for 9 months/$1800 a year? |
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