MCCEA Members:
You are all aware of the Legislative Attacks against Public School and State Employees throughout the nation. More specifically here at home a number of bills have been rammed thru the Legislator which will have an ENORMOUS impact on your livelihood. They are as follows:
Governor Snyder’s Budget – In the Governor’s Budget he is proposing to incorporate the Higher Ed Appropriations into the K-12 School Aid Fund, which could have a drastic impact on the funding for Community Colleges and Universities. Basically, funding could be drastically reduced for these entities. The Education Budget is slated to be introduced in April, which should reveal more details and specifics.
House Bill(HB) 4214/Senate Bill (SB)0153 – Emergency Financial Manager Bill – This bill allows for a district and/or a city, municipality, township to be taken over by a Financial Manager who would have complete authority to terminate collective bargaining agreements, dissolve school boards, eliminate superintendents, city councils, etc. and dictate what you should make, what benefits you should have, if any, dictate what class size should be, what materials needed and/or don’t need, etc. This would also allow them the ability to layoff in whatever manner they want. Once the collective bargaining agreement is voided, you would not be allowed to have one for 5 years.
Senate Joint Resolution – B (SJR-B) – This bill mandates a 5% pay cut for ALL Public Workers. This does include YOU!
HB4152- This bill freezes step increases, makes employees pay any health care increases and allows for no retroactivity in pay increases once your collective bargaining agreement expires. This means, when the KEA contract expires in 2012, if you haven’t negotiated a new one by the time the new school year starts, those members that would generally move to the next step on the salary schedule, would not step, any health care increases would be your responsibility and you would not be allowed to negotiate any type of retro-active pay increase if you bargain beyond your first work day. The increase would not start until after the contract is ratified by the members and board.
SB-0007 – This bill would require that all public employees pay 20% towards their health care cost. If the plan includes a Health Savings Account, you would be required to pay 10%.
HB 4306 – The bill mandates outsourcing transportation, food service and janitorial services for all school districts.
SJR-C – This bill removes collective bargaining rights for health care for public employees and allows for state control.
HB 4059 – This bill prohibits paying union officials for conducting union business.
HB 4052 - This bill bars the use of taxpayer funded equipment and facilities for union or political activities.
MEA has joined with AFL-CIO, UAW, SEIU, AFT and many other unions across the State to fight these bills. Many activities have already taken place at the State Capital, (i.e. Rallies, members testifying at hearings, etc.).
If you don’t believe these things can happen, just take a look at Wisconsin. Those people are geared up and ready to fight this to the bitter end.
There are many other bills pending in the legislature. If you have not contacted your legislator, do so and tell them they need to stand up for your right to work under fair conditions at a fair wage. If you do not know who your Legislator is, please check your voter registration card and/or consult Brian Harding or Paul Rozycki.
Are you ready to answer the call and stand up for yourself and what you believe is right, just and in the best interest of the Working Class? If so, please stay tuned for further updates and directions from MEA.
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