MEA Update
2011-12 Negotiations
September 29, 2011
What is the current status of negotiations between MEA and the District?
Negotiations between MEA and the District are becoming more strained with each bargaining session. The District seems to be less interested in reaching an agreement and more interested in unnecessarily taking more money away from employees. Although the state has cut the budget, the Superintendent’s negotiators are pushing for deeper cuts in salary and benefits than are required to balance the budget and stabilize the health plan. MEA believes that the salary and benefit reductions proposed by the District are not necessary, are unwarranted and will negatively impact the Manatee County economy by $9,600,000. Although some noteworthy language issues have been tentatively agreed to, the District has not budged on their salary and benefit proposals: cut teacher pay by 2.75%, furlough paraprofessionals three days, increase health insurance premiums more than the recommendation of the Health Insurance Committee (based on the faulty Mercer report issued over a year ago), cut life insurance benefits in half, and require virtual teachers to purchase the equipment, hardware and internet access needed to perform the basic job functions - without compensation. The next bargaining session is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday October 5, 2011.
MEA negotiators have reviewed the District budget documents and questioned the District regarding nearly 30 concerns within the document. The District’s response to these questions can be reviewed here. In addition, MEA negotiators participated in the Health Insurance Committee along with the representatives appointed by AFSCME and those appointed by the Superintendent. The joint committee has studied the health plan data in depth. Even though the committee recommendation will further increase premiums for the Board and employees for the next plan year beginning January 1, 2012, MEA currently believes the appropriate course to take to ensure the viability of the Health Plan is to accept the recommendation of the committee. MEA believes that the Health Insurance Committee is the appropriate body to make recommendations related to negotiations on health benefits and premiums, not an outside consultant hired by the Superintendent. The Health plan does not need additional funding for the 2011 or 2012 years over and above the current premiums for 2011 and the recommended premiums for 2012. These are tough economic times but enough is enough! For more questions on the budget or Health Insurance Committee please contact Bruce Proud, MEA Business Representative at bruce.proud1@floridaea.org.
Regardless of the School Board decisions related to proposed budget cuts or the Superintendent’s bargaining proposals for salary cuts beyond what is needed to balance the budget and unnecessary Health Plan premium increases, no changes in wages, benefits, terms and conditions of employment may be legally implemented until the negotiations process is completed.
What actions can I take?
The negative impacts of the Board proposals will reduce employee spending power this year by nearly $3,500 for teachers and more than $1,500 for paraprofessionals. MEA wants to know more about how these cuts will squeeze local businesses, which local businesses will see fewer of your dollars and how will the cuts impact your personal spending on your classroom in the next year if these cuts are implemented. Please click on the link below and complete the MEA Survey on the Local Economic Impact of these further unnecessary cuts:
In addition, every MEA bargaining unit member can support the MEA negotiations team by contacting the Superintendent and School Board members and letting them know that cutting employee salary deeper than needed and increasing insurance premiums higher than necessary is wrong.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!