Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Tentative Contract Discussions & Questions

The first general meeting to discuss the tentative contract was today at Ygnacio Valley High School.  About 50 people were present to hear the details of the contract and to ask questions.  All of the members of the MDEA negotiating team were present, as well as Mark York, Executive Director of MDEA, and Tom Blanks, Vice President of MDEA.

There are two more general meetings scheduled.  The next meeting is Thursday, December 12, 6 PM, at Concord High School.  The last meeting is on Tuesday, December 16, 3:30 PM at Pleasant Hill Middle School.  

Voting on the contract will take place on Wednesday, December 17 and Thursday, December 18 at each school site.

An e-mail with the tentative contract was e-mail out to members.  A hard copy should be distributed to you by the end of the day tomorrow.  An online copy can be found on the MDEA website at http://www.mtdiabloeducationassoc.org/contract/tent_contract.htm.  


 

6 comments:

ChiliPop said...

maybe someone can answer this question:

It seems that the amount of money that each MDEA member will receive towards medical could vary a lot.

How can we base a decision on whether or not to go back on district benefits, if we don't know exactly how much we will get?

In my situation, it would make sense for me to go back on district benefits if I were to receive around $300 a month. If it's less than that, it makes no financial sense. If I go back on the district benefits, then a bunch of others do so as well, then my money goes down and I get screwed.

Is that accurate? or is there something that I'm missing?

Anonymous said...

It would be great if questions that were asked at the meeting could be posted here for those of us who couldn't attend the first one. It may give us some additional food for thought in preparing for subsequent meetings. Is it possible to post the questions, and (I know I am pushing here...) the answers?
Shauna
PS- Thanks for all the work.

Carissa said...

Sam,

Yes, it COULD vary. Although, the max that someone could get in the 1st year is $333.33/month. This is based on $3,000 being divided up by 9 months. In the case of new medical enrollees, it would be $333.33/month. This is based on $2,666.66 being divided up by 8 months (even though coverage would not begin until the 1st of May).

So, you're right that it could be less. IF more than 1000 of our 1900 teachers enroll, then each contribution would go down.

Currently 700 teachers are signed up for meducal coverage. A little more than 300 people would have to sign up to make it less than $333.33/month.

Carissa said...

Shauna,

Great suggestion. However, it's a lot, a lot of work and other people would have to help put it together. I'll ask others on the Exec Board if they can help. In the mean time, please just ask away.

Anonymous said...

couldn't we get a raise for hourly and summer school rates. Im sorry but $25.00/hour is terrible.

Anonymous said...

I was at the meeting at YV. I was truly sadden at the disrespectful behavior of some teachers there. One teacher (to remain unnamed) verbally attacked Mike Noce because she is not satisfied with the tent. agreement. Shame on her.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind people that the function and purpose of the union is to protect and serve all the members. We can never look at one members individual needs above the cause of the general membership. I do not and will not take district benefits. Therefore, I will receive no pay increase during this contract period. However, I realize that my life circumstances could change at any given time and someday I may need the benefits. I also know that returning to district paid benefits serves the greater good of the teachers at this time.

So please everyone, take time to thank our hard-working negotiations team. It's not a pretty settlement, but times are tough and it's a step in the right direction.