MEA 15-B Insider October 2002

Buying years of generic service credit might currently look like a better investment than the stock market, although some might argue that this is the opportune time to purchase stock. However, if you plan to purchase generic credit, it will probably never be any cheaper for you than it is right now. Let’s face the facts. You are never going to be any younger than you currently are. We actually have had first year teachers buy five years of generic credit for slightly over $5,000. Compare that with almost $40,000 when you are almost 30 years into this business of being a public teacher in Michigan. Similar deals are also there for new support staff employees at proportionately lower costs. The cost depends on your age and your public school income last year. The above first year teacher example involved teachers who did some subbing before acquiring a fulltime position. If you did not work in a public school last year, consider initiating such an investment in yourself next year. The maximum that you can purchase is five years, and it can be done with pretax dollars through your payroll office. Speaking of financial planning, our new MEA Financial Services representative in 15-B, Marty Chapo, is available for the majority of our 15-B districts.

On September 26^th, parapros from four associations met and discussed the potential impact of ESEA on their jobs. Baker College made a presentation, and bargaining issues were discussed. This is the first of five potential workshops to be offered this fall. The format is two or three representatives from each local association are invited and a key topic or speaker will be on the agenda. The meetings require a minimum of 10 participants, and will be held in our 15-B office. We will provide dinner for participants, and will absolutely not meet longer than two hours. Starting times and dates are listed below:

October 22	Secretaries	5:30 p.m.
October 24	Transportation	6:00 p.m.
October 29	Food Service	5:30 p.m.
November 7	Custodial/Maintenance	5:30 p.m.

Unsettled: Evart EA, Evart ESP, Evart Transportation Professionals, McBain EA & McBain ESP

October 12	MEA’s 150^th Birthday
October 14-17	Roger in Lansing for Training & Staff Meetings
October 14-25	Final drive for Cash for Kids
October 21	MPSERS Pre-Retirement Meeting – Wex-Miss ISD 5:30 p.m.
November 5	Grievance & Advocacy Training – MEA office
November 9	Fall Representative Assembly
November 12	Coordinating Council Meeting – MEA office; 7:07 p.m.

There are certainly a lot of thoughts out there on this subject. One thing for sure, our society is giving those who work in schools with children a lot of attention. Education is a priority when the public is polled on what is important to them. Many parents, grandparents, and legal guardians want quality educational experiences for their children. Some children come to us with physical, mental and/or emotional impairments. Some children come to us from one parent or no parent households. School employees are charged with providing quality experiences for all children. This includes transporting children to and from school in a safe manner; providing clean and safe classrooms; providing appetizing, nutritious meals; providing access to the latest technology; providing the best teachers, and opportunities for participating in sports, with the hope these children are successful when they graduate. Maybe it’s the block schedule, or maybe it’s teaming, or maybe it’s a traditional classroom with a traditional schedule. Whatever it is in your district, it takes a cohesive dedicated staff to put it all together. As there are many facets to this subject, changing one facet might only be part of the key.

We have five contracts that are currently unsettled, and we have nine that expire next summer. What a time to bargain! The economy is currently sluggish, and the Legislature has added 50 cents to a pack of cigarettes to balance the current budget. Anyone have any duct tape? Most of our districts have substantial fund equities and can well afford to bargain with their employees, even though some of our districts are experiencing drops in student enrollment, which could mean fewer employees. It might be a good time to revisit retirement incentives. How about incentives for all employees like Governor Engler recently offered to DNR employees? What’s wrong with a retirement incentive for ESP employees? Isn’t it about time?

What can we do about those increasing MESSA rates?" The solution to the increasing MESSA rates is to have your employer pay the bill, just like they do when energy costs rise. Why should you agree with your employer to let them pass the costs on to you with lesser insurance coverage, or having you pay the premium or a portion of the premium? To pay you $1.00 in wages costs your employer about $1.21, and you actually take home about $.70. To have your employer pay $1.00 of your insurance premium costs your employer $1.00, and you receive almost $1.00 in benefits. MESSA doesn’t make a profit, and its administrative costs are low. How about bargaining better insurance benefits for you and your family?

Proposition 1 –A "No" vote on this proposition protects our right to vote a straight party ticket, if we choose to. Proposition 2 is an authorization for the State to borrow up to $1 billion to improve the waters of the State by financing sewage treatment works projects, storm water projects and water pollution projects. Proposition 3 would amend the State constitution to grant State-classified employees the right to collective bargaining. We were granted that right in 1965. It is called PERA. There are 44,000 State employees who want our support on this one. Proposition 4 would amend our constitution to reallocate the "Tobacco Settlement Revenue" to private entities. The Governor urges us to vote "No" on this amendment, and, perhaps, rightfully so. This money belongs to the people of the State of Michigan, and we should decide how to spend it.

Change will mark this election landscape in Michigan politics, and your involvement will play a critical role in electing friends of public education to offices this year. The decisions politicians make affect all public school employees. A donation to Cash for Kids is a way you can help strengthen public education and protect public school students, optimal learning environments, bargaining, and your retirement. A portion of your donation is returned to 15-B be used locally. Even a small contribution makes a BIG difference! Please contribute today!!

That’s right! On October 12^th MEA will mark its 150th birthday. For your information, there were 139,128 members in our organization last year plus another 21,840 MEA-Retired members. Happy Birthday to us!!

15-B Insider -- October 2002