School officials in Traverse City, Michigan recently released details of ongoing contract negotiations with their teachers’ union, according to the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
The district posted the information on the school website, with the contract goals of the school board and Michigan Education Association (MEA) listed side-by-side. They also issued a press release to local media outlets, to make sure that the public could find the information. 
The union was furious that the administration published details of contract negotiations online, and threatened to file an unfair labor practice complaint.
District officials told taxpayers that they could face a budget deficit in the $8 to $12 million range by the 2010-2011 school year.
“Doing nothing to address this (deficit) situation will totally exhaust all reserves within two years, and would cause the financial collapse of our school system,” wrote School Superintendent James Feil.
Teachers are being offered a two percent general raise over two years, and the district is offering to let them keep their union owned MESSA health insurance coverage, which has no deductible.
However, teachers are being asked to absorb up to 10% of MESSA rate increases in the future. In addition, the district is increasing the prescription co-pay, and declining to offer long-term disability coverage.
The local chapter of the MEA does not agree with the school board’s contract proposals. It wants a three percent raise for teachers over three years, and wants the district to absorb all future increases in health insurance costs. In addition, it is asking for long-term disability insurance for all teachers, and an annual $500 bonus to veteran teachers.
“It’s obvious that MEA leaders would like to keep contract negotiations nice and quiet in every district possible, so the public will never gain a full understanding of what they’re asking for,” states Kyle Olson of the citizen based Education Action Group.
“But those days are over, and the union would be wise to accept it….“The truth can be an awesome weapon, and school boards should not be afraid to use it to their advantage.”
For related stories, see:
Stimulus Money Divides Districts and Teachers’ Unions.
Teachers’ Unions Struggle During Recession
Comments
The district has the tax dollars for this pr, as well as the power to manipulate what it is telling the public.
Therefore, the union should be aggressive and send out their own press releases to fight for us. Heaven knows they have enough of our dues money.
This taxpayer has been funding far greater benefits for teachers than her family could ever dream about.
And before a teacher starts about how much more other professions pay, let me tell you that my husband and I are both college educated and neither of us earns close to what local teachers earn after tenure. Yes we work hard, including weekends and evenings, and earn two weeks of vacation per year. We have to keep up our professional knowledge, just like all professionals do.
We would never consider being part of a union at the expense of children. And we would never insult our neighbors by demanding that they pay for something fo rus that they do not have themselves.
YES, the public should know what the heck is going on with our money and our schools. The days of secrecy are over. The union should welcome the transparency if they are in fact underpaid and taken advantage of.
If the dollars are public, there is no reason to keep the negotiations secret. Really, what's the harm, other than the public getting to actually see how the MEA tries to strongarm districts into ridiculous contracts.
Here's how it works: The MEA forces MESSA coverage on school districts, MESSA makes a tidy profit (over $300M in the bank) and funnels that money back to the MEA. If the school districts don't play nice, the MEA organizes to oust the school board members who vote against MESSA coverage. It's nothing short of a softcore mafia mentality.
I don't believe the MEA has the best interest of it's members at heart! They are in the business of lining their pockets and dividing members who do not agree with them!!! I crossed the picket line last year in a stike situation because my own union wouldn't tell me what we they were fighting for. They told me that in disclosing the details of negotiations to me would be "a coflict of interest!" What???? Anyway, I have a mind of my own and I love to teach. That is what made me cross. Our stike was about MESSA insurance and that's it!!! I wish the public knew the truth and I am glad it is coming out in Traverse City. By the way, I want to ask the above teacher who commented, what are teachers "fighting for???" We have jobs supposedly doing what we love, right? Maybe if the union continues the way they have been going, we'll end up in the same situation the auto workers are in!!! Give up the fight, come together with the school board, and teach our kids!!!
Bobby, not a teacher, and Jane, I couldn't agree with all of you more. Please know, not all teachers think this way, and I am one of them :)
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