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Welcome to the Washtenaw County Education Association (WCEA) |
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Meetings: First Wednesday of each month except July 5:00 PM Bargaining Committee 6:00PM Board of Governors |
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WCEA Meeting 5:00 PM Questions and answers regarding budget deal "reforms"
Answers from MEA lobbyists about health insurance, retirement and calendar changes
As part of the Oct. 1 budget deal, a number of so-called "reforms" were pushed through the Legislature as a way to balance the budget on the backs of school employees, including: · SB 418, which attacks public employees' health insurance without saving the state ANY money; · SB 546 and 547, which slash retirement benefits for new school employees starting next summer, making it harder to recruit and retain the best and brightest employees for Michigan's students; and · SB 549, which requires intermediate school districts (ISDs) to set common spring and winter breaks without any consultation with parents or school employees. Despite extensive media coverage, little has been said about how these changes may impact MEA members. Read answers to some frequently asked questions.
Tell legislators to cut their own benefits
Last week, legislators voted to make changes to school employee health and retirement benefits but failed to take action on reforming their own generous salary and benefits. Among last weeks' changes, new school employees will now have to work for at least 25 years before they get 90 percent of their retirement health premiums covered. All school employees — new or current — have to pay at least 10 percent out of pocket for health care in retirement. By contrast, legislators receive free lifetime health coverage after only six years in office. Several months ago, the House passed HB 4580 and HCR 26, which would eliminate future legislators' free lifetime health benefits and cut their salaries by 5 percent. But neither concept has seen action yet in the Senate — Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester) has said the issues need to be "studied." Millions of Michigan citizens are without health insurance — including many of our students and their families. The Legislature should be spending time increasing access to affordable health care, not protecting their own perks. With a $400 million hole still in this year's budget, legislators need to be part of the solution and cut themselves first. Go to www.nolansingfreeride.com and sign an online petition encouraging the legislators to lead by example and apply the cuts in HB 4580 and HCR 26 to themselves and future legislators.
2007 Instruction and Professional Development Conference
With the theme of “You Have to Reach Them to Teach Them: Expanding the Boundaries of Learning,” this Nov. 29-Dec. 1 conference offers you:
· Current, useable professional development material in 2 1/2 days. · Sessions that can earn you State Board Continuing Education Units (SB-CEUs). · Educational Support Personnel (ESP) Certification sessions. · A chance to network with other school employees from across the state. · Nationally-acclaimed speakers See you in November! The deadline for registration is Friday, November 9, 2007. 2007 IPD Conference Announcement.
Other stories
Great Lakes Center: Reports urge to scrap NCLB and replace with vouchers weakened by ideology
More member involvement at local level the key to strengthening MEA, Harvard labor expert says
Major concerns remain with draft NCLB changes
Public employees can still give to PAC with payroll deductions
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