The HCEA bargaining
team met from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Monday, March 7th, 2011. Present were: Tara Wilbur, Cynthia Schofield,
Cindy Fredenburg, Jennifer Saunders, Nan Worthington, Dianna Bartholomew, Jim
Eckert, Laura Swain, Emily Subers
BOARD FINANCIAL PROPOSAL
The Board had a financial “global proposal” to respond to our last proposal. The Board’s negotiation team offered the following:
1) A 1/2 % (.5 %) wage increase which was NOT to be retroactive
2) A 25% premium share insurance contribution for teachers (which would equate to paying $121 per month for insurance for single plans, $339 per month for insurance for 2-person plans; and $376 per month for insurance for full family plans)
3) The Board did not provide a “real” proposal for dental and vision insurance, and claimed it would select a carrier for dental and vision at the same parameters of our current plan.
4) A one year contract
5) The Board once again proposed a 25 step plan for future new members, a $147,000 reduction in pay for our future teachers over the course of their careers.
The Board also placed in its proposal language forbidding the HCEA from bargaining MESSA health insurance. The board claimed it would be unlawful due to Section 15(3)(a) of the Public Employment Relations Act.
HCEA COUNTER PROPOSAL
Please note we were not influenced by the bullying tactics. We countered with the following:
1) A reasonable MESSA proposal (a 200/400) and a premium share of $80 per month (which is only a few cents more than our current premium share.)
2) We also proposed three year contract and a wage increase of 2% each year that was to be retroactive
3) In addition, we proposed the HCEA bargaining unit would receive 10% of any future casino revenue for salary increases and insurance contributions.
4) We proposed that our dental and vision be maintained under our current plan.
5) We proposed increasing the annuity for those not taking the insurance to $400 a month.
6) We rejected the 25 step plan for new members. We will not sell out our future teachers.
BOARD’S LANGUAGE PROPOSAL
The Board’s team provided a response to several of our language proposals. However, several proposals were the same proposals presented to us in September and/or other bargaining sessions. Once more, it was insulting that the dates are not even changed on these old proposals.
HCEA COUNTER ON LANGUAGE
The HCEA team thoroughly reviewed the Board’s language proposals and responded. Among the language items addressed were
1) Class size
2) Block scheduling at the high school (which the Board’s bargaining representative has erroneously claimed is a “pilot project”. It is important for you to know that “pilot programs” are a prohibited subject of bargaining. Yet, the Board’s team made a proposal regarding this alleged pilot.
Further, the Board’s bargaining representative claimed that bargaining over the Acceptable Usage Agreement (AUA) was unlawful, yet provided the HCEA team its same AUA proposal from September.
We are sad to say that the Board’s target keeps moving. In terms of insurance, we are $251,000 apart in our proposals. This appears a trivial amount given the Edujobs funding of nearly $600,000 and additional casino revenue of over two million dollars.
The one bright spot was the lovely veggie tray and desert from the PR Committee. Thank you for supporting us. Next mediation is scheduled for April 18th at 5:00 PM at Harper Creek Middle School.
Though the Board continues to exhibit contempt for us in its proposals, we will continue to represent you in good faith bargaining from our side.
ON A FINAL NOTE PLEASE ATTEND THE MARCH 14th BOARD MEETING. WE CAN ONLY BE EFFECTIVE IF THE BOARD BELIEVES WE HAVE YOUR FULL SUPPORT.
And remember…
NO CONTRACT IS BETTER THAN A BAD CONTRACT
BOARD FINANCIAL PROPOSAL
The Board had a financial “global proposal” to respond to our last proposal. The Board’s negotiation team offered the following:
1) A 1/2 % (.5 %) wage increase which was NOT to be retroactive
2) A 25% premium share insurance contribution for teachers (which would equate to paying $121 per month for insurance for single plans, $339 per month for insurance for 2-person plans; and $376 per month for insurance for full family plans)
3) The Board did not provide a “real” proposal for dental and vision insurance, and claimed it would select a carrier for dental and vision at the same parameters of our current plan.
4) A one year contract
5) The Board once again proposed a 25 step plan for future new members, a $147,000 reduction in pay for our future teachers over the course of their careers.
The Board also placed in its proposal language forbidding the HCEA from bargaining MESSA health insurance. The board claimed it would be unlawful due to Section 15(3)(a) of the Public Employment Relations Act.
HCEA COUNTER PROPOSAL
Please note we were not influenced by the bullying tactics. We countered with the following:
1) A reasonable MESSA proposal (a 200/400) and a premium share of $80 per month (which is only a few cents more than our current premium share.)
2) We also proposed three year contract and a wage increase of 2% each year that was to be retroactive
3) In addition, we proposed the HCEA bargaining unit would receive 10% of any future casino revenue for salary increases and insurance contributions.
4) We proposed that our dental and vision be maintained under our current plan.
5) We proposed increasing the annuity for those not taking the insurance to $400 a month.
6) We rejected the 25 step plan for new members. We will not sell out our future teachers.
BOARD’S LANGUAGE PROPOSAL
The Board’s team provided a response to several of our language proposals. However, several proposals were the same proposals presented to us in September and/or other bargaining sessions. Once more, it was insulting that the dates are not even changed on these old proposals.
HCEA COUNTER ON LANGUAGE
The HCEA team thoroughly reviewed the Board’s language proposals and responded. Among the language items addressed were
1) Class size
2) Block scheduling at the high school (which the Board’s bargaining representative has erroneously claimed is a “pilot project”. It is important for you to know that “pilot programs” are a prohibited subject of bargaining. Yet, the Board’s team made a proposal regarding this alleged pilot.
Further, the Board’s bargaining representative claimed that bargaining over the Acceptable Usage Agreement (AUA) was unlawful, yet provided the HCEA team its same AUA proposal from September.
We are sad to say that the Board’s target keeps moving. In terms of insurance, we are $251,000 apart in our proposals. This appears a trivial amount given the Edujobs funding of nearly $600,000 and additional casino revenue of over two million dollars.
The one bright spot was the lovely veggie tray and desert from the PR Committee. Thank you for supporting us. Next mediation is scheduled for April 18th at 5:00 PM at Harper Creek Middle School.
Though the Board continues to exhibit contempt for us in its proposals, we will continue to represent you in good faith bargaining from our side.
ON A FINAL NOTE PLEASE ATTEND THE MARCH 14th BOARD MEETING. WE CAN ONLY BE EFFECTIVE IF THE BOARD BELIEVES WE HAVE YOUR FULL SUPPORT.
And remember…
NO CONTRACT IS BETTER THAN A BAD CONTRACT
