Let your fellow members know. We need ideas and votes on important issues.
See previous posts for meeting location or if you have questions, email me at president3331@hotmail.com.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Meeting October 17, 2011
We will be having a meeting on Monday, October 17 2011 at the EREA building (teachers union building in Elk River) at 4 P.M.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
LOCATION CHANGED FOR MAY 18th MEETING
The location has been changed to the little theater in Elk River High School. The ability to blog on this site was shut down for four days, since the day we were notified we could not use the planned meeting site.
Please let others know of the changed location. Same time, different place.
We hope for a big turnout for the last meeting of the school year!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
VOTE AND MEETING
We will be having a meeting on Wednesday, May 18th at the EREA building in Elk River. (The teachers union building, see previous posts for directions) The meeting will start at 4, with voting for Executive Board officers going from 2:30 until 5:30.
This will be the last meeting of the school year. Please plan on attending and voting.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
VOTE ON CONTRACT PASSES
Our contract vote passed by 89% favorable vote. Be sure to attend insurance meetings scheduled for Friday 3/25/11 if you want to change insurance plans. They are at the district technology center in Elk River at 10:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30.
Thank you for voting!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
VOTE IS SET FOR THURSDAY, 3/24/11
Voting will happen at the same place and time, just different day.
2:30-5 P.M.
Little Theater at Elk River High School
Please urge fellow members to attend, ask questions and vote.
3/23/11 Vote Postponed
Due to our district closing for the day, the scheduled vote has been postponed. I will try to get a new date up as soon as possible.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Cost Calculators/District meeting 3/25
The district will be emailing members cost calculators to use to help them decide insurance questions. Our district website also has cost calculators on it's site.
The district will be holding a meeting on Friday, 3/25/11 to help finalize members paperwork who are changing plans. I will post the time and place when I receive it.
Paperwork will need to be handed in to the district on Monday, 3/28.
The district will be holding a meeting on Friday, 3/25/11 to help finalize members paperwork who are changing plans. I will post the time and place when I receive it.
Paperwork will need to be handed in to the district on Monday, 3/28.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
DISTRICT FINAL PROPOSAL FOR VOTE
AFSCME Local 3331 Members
Thank you for your patience in this long and overdue contract process. Please take time to thank your Negotiating Team members for all of their hard work over the last many months. They have given up summer afternoons, evenings, and even Holidays to try to get a decent settlement for your local.
The following is a summary of the elements of the District Proposal. Your Negotiating Team is bringing this forth for the vote on March 23rd. Please review this, and bring your questions on the 23rd.
District Proposal
Full-time Status for Layoff/Bumping Rights will change from 7 hours to 6 hours
Impact: This means that a person who is 6 or more hours shall not be reduced below 6 hours, unless they are the least senior in the classification, or turn down a position.
***Group Insurance Singles*** 2010-2011
$25 Copay/Double Gold Plan (DG) – same language, cap is $562 for premium contributions
Impact: No change, but please use the cost calculator to determine cost based on FTE & pro-ration
$500 Deductible CMM Plan - one time cash payment incentive of $300 in addition to current language, cap is $620 for premium contributions
Impact: Please use the cost calculator for premiums up to $620, and $300 cash incentive
HSA - New offering of the High Deductible plan. The premium contribution will be capped at $620, with up to $229.16 per month placed in the HSA Account in the Employees name.
Impact: This premium is significantly lower (please use the cost calculator) and the remaining prorated portion above the premium, up to $229 will be placed in the savings to offset the high deductible.
*Hardship clause & Indemnity (see page 2 of insurance language below)
***Group Insurance Family*** 2010 -2011
$25 Copay/Double Gold Pan (DG) – same language, cap is $930 for premium contributions
Impact: Please use cost calculator to determine premiums & contributions
$500 Deductible CMM Plan – Pro-ration cap increased to $1005.00 per month, one-time 7 month credit of pro-rated $75 per month either toward future premiums or as a cash payment
Impact: Please use cost calculator to determine pro-rated premiums. The credit equal roughly $308 for a 6.5 hour employee
HSA – New High Deductible Plan Offering. Pro-ration cap increased to $1005.00 per month, and, one-time 7 month credit of pro-rated $75 per month either toward future premiums or as a cash payment
Impact: Please use cost calculator to determine pro-rated premiums. The credit would equal roughly $308 for a 6.5 hour employee.
Wages – Employees who achieved Step 3 prior to July 1, 2009 will be eligible for a pro-rated $400 cash payment.
Impact: This will be pro-rated off of an 8 hour day. (i.e. a 6 hour person would receive 75% of $400, which = $300
Issues that will not be contract language but are important to the members:
General Assistants equal pay for equal work effective the first day of the 2010-2011 School year
Impact: The Union and the Employer would enter into an LOU for all General Assistants to be paid at Grade 2, instead of Grade One. We currently have workers side by side doing the same job but being paid less. The LOU will stay in place until the issue is resolved.
Typing tests not required for current Employees.
Impact: The District will honor the April 30, 2009 letter indicating they will not require internal candidates to complete typing tests.
Compensation for all required work activities
Impact: Required work activities must be approved by the supervisor, and are then must be paid activities.
Thank you for your patience in this long and overdue contract process. Please take time to thank your Negotiating Team members for all of their hard work over the last many months. They have given up summer afternoons, evenings, and even Holidays to try to get a decent settlement for your local.
The following is a summary of the elements of the District Proposal. Your Negotiating Team is bringing this forth for the vote on March 23rd. Please review this, and bring your questions on the 23rd.
District Proposal
Full-time Status for Layoff/Bumping Rights will change from 7 hours to 6 hours
Impact: This means that a person who is 6 or more hours shall not be reduced below 6 hours, unless they are the least senior in the classification, or turn down a position.
***Group Insurance Singles*** 2010-2011
$25 Copay/Double Gold Plan (DG) – same language, cap is $562 for premium contributions
Impact: No change, but please use the cost calculator to determine cost based on FTE & pro-ration
$500 Deductible CMM Plan - one time cash payment incentive of $300 in addition to current language, cap is $620 for premium contributions
Impact: Please use the cost calculator for premiums up to $620, and $300 cash incentive
HSA - New offering of the High Deductible plan. The premium contribution will be capped at $620, with up to $229.16 per month placed in the HSA Account in the Employees name.
Impact: This premium is significantly lower (please use the cost calculator) and the remaining prorated portion above the premium, up to $229 will be placed in the savings to offset the high deductible.
*Hardship clause & Indemnity (see page 2 of insurance language below)
***Group Insurance Family*** 2010 -2011
$25 Copay/Double Gold Pan (DG) – same language, cap is $930 for premium contributions
Impact: Please use cost calculator to determine premiums & contributions
$500 Deductible CMM Plan – Pro-ration cap increased to $1005.00 per month, one-time 7 month credit of pro-rated $75 per month either toward future premiums or as a cash payment
Impact: Please use cost calculator to determine pro-rated premiums. The credit equal roughly $308 for a 6.5 hour employee
HSA – New High Deductible Plan Offering. Pro-ration cap increased to $1005.00 per month, and, one-time 7 month credit of pro-rated $75 per month either toward future premiums or as a cash payment
Impact: Please use cost calculator to determine pro-rated premiums. The credit would equal roughly $308 for a 6.5 hour employee.
Wages – Employees who achieved Step 3 prior to July 1, 2009 will be eligible for a pro-rated $400 cash payment.
Impact: This will be pro-rated off of an 8 hour day. (i.e. a 6 hour person would receive 75% of $400, which = $300
Issues that will not be contract language but are important to the members:
General Assistants equal pay for equal work effective the first day of the 2010-2011 School year
Impact: The Union and the Employer would enter into an LOU for all General Assistants to be paid at Grade 2, instead of Grade One. We currently have workers side by side doing the same job but being paid less. The LOU will stay in place until the issue is resolved.
Typing tests not required for current Employees.
Impact: The District will honor the April 30, 2009 letter indicating they will not require internal candidates to complete typing tests.
Compensation for all required work activities
Impact: Required work activities must be approved by the supervisor, and are then must be paid activities.
INSURANCE: PREMIUMS & CONTRACT LANGUAGE
As we prepare for the vote on Marh 23rd, please consider the following total premiums (which become prorated) and the attached language below.
Premiums: Total Monthly Premium SINGLE (S) FAMILY (F)
$25 Copay/Double Gold $562 (s) $1616 (f)
$500/$1000 Deductible CMM $460.50 (s) $1322 (f)
$2750/$5500 Deductible HSA $349.50 (s) $1004.50 (f)
CONTRACT LANGUAGE
8.1 Health and Hospitalization Insurance
8.1.1 Except as otherwise noted in Sections 8.1.3.b. and 8.1.3.c., Tthe School Board shall contribute a sum of not to exceed nine hundred thirty and 00/100 dollars (930.00) per month pursuant to the insurance benefit schedule described in Section 8.7., toward the premium for single or dependent coverage for each employee regularly scheduled to be employed by the School District forty (40) hours per week and twelve (12) months per year and who qualifies for and is enrolled in the School District group health and hospitalization plan. Any employee who qualifies for and is enrolled in the School District group health and hospitalization plan and who is regularly scheduled to be employed by the School District a minimum of twenty (20) hours or more per week shall receive a prorated contribution from the School District towards such coverage. The proration shall be based on two thousand eighty (2080) hours per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30).
8.1.2 Single Coverage
a. Effective with the employee’s 2010 – 2011 insurance year (as described in Section 8.7 Insurance Benefit Schedule), the School Board contribution towards the single coverage of the Open Access Choice $25 Copay Plan or its equivalent shall be up to, but not to exceed five hundred sixty-two and 00/100 dollars ($562.00) per month. Any additional cost of the premium shall be borne by the employee and paid by payroll deduction.
b. Effective with the employee’s 2010 – 2011 insurance year (as described in Section 8.7 Insurance Benefit Schedule), the School Board contribution towards the single coverage of the Open Access $500 Deductible Plan or its equivalent shall be up to, but not to exceed, six hundred twenty and 00/100 dollars ($620.00) per month. Any additional cost of the premium shall be borne by the employee and paid by payroll deduction.
Effective April 1, 2011, for any employee who was enrolled in the Open Access Choice $25 Copay Plan or its equivalent and enrolls in the Open Access $500 Deductible Plan, the School District shall provide a total one-time cash payment of three hundred and 00/100 dollars ($300.00). The one-time cash payment amount of three hundred and 00/100 dollars ($300.00) shall not be prorated for part-time employees.
c. Effective April 1, 2011, the School Board shall provide a high deductible plan with a health savings account (HSA). For any employee who enrolls in the single coverage of the high deductible Empower HSA plan or its equivalent, the School Board shall contribute a sum up to, but not to exceed, six hundred twenty and 00/100 dollars ($620.00) per month. The calculated benefit amount, which shall be prorated for part-time employees in accordance with the proration formula described in Section 8.1.1, shall first be applied towards the cost of the premium with any remaining amount up to, but not to exceed, two hundred twenty-nine and 16/100 dollars ($229.16) per month contributed to a HSA in the employee’s name. Any additional cost of the premium shall be borne by the employee and paid by payroll deduction.
Hardship: If an employee incurs one or more claims for a qualified health expense that exceeds the employee’s current HSA account balance, the School Board may, at the request of the employee, accelerate its prorated contribution to the HSA for that insurance benefit year to the extent necessary to reimburse the employee for the claim or at the School Board’s discretion, an amount up to, but not to exceed, the full HSA contribution amount to which the employee would otherwise be entitled to receive during the insurance benefit year. If an employee leaves the District prior to the end of the employee’s insurance benefit year, any unearned contribution will be paid back to the District.
April, 2011 through June 30, 2011 indemnity: If an employee’s incurred deductible expenses exceed six hundred eighty-seven and 50/100 dollars ($687.50), the School Board shall indemnify the employee for qualified deductible expenses up to, but not to exceed, one thousand one hundred forty-five and 00/100 dollars ($1,145.00). The calculated indemnity benefit will be prorated for part-time employees in accordance with the proration formula described in Section 8.1.1.
8.1.3 Family Coverage
a. Effective with the employee’s 2010 – 2011 insurance year (as described in Section 8.7 Insurance Benefit Schedule), the School Board contribution towards family coverage of the Open Access Choice $25 Copay Plan or its equivalent shall be up to, but not to exceed, nine hundred thirty and 00/100 dollars ($930.00) per month. Any additional cost of the premium shall be borne by the employee and paid by payroll deduction.
b. Effective with the employee’s 2010 – 2011 insurance year (as described in Section 8.7 Insurance Benefit Schedule), the School Board contribution towards family coverage of the Open Access $500/$1,000 Deductible Plan or its equivalent shall be up to, but not to exceed one thousand five and 00/100 dollars ($1,005.00) per month. Any additional cost of the premium shall be borne by the employee and paid by payroll deduction.
Effective April 1, 2011, for any employee who was enrolled in the family Open Access Choice $25 Copay Plan or Open Access $500/$1,000 Deductible Plan or its equivalent for the 2010 – 2011 insurance year, the School District shall apply a credit of up to, but not to exceed, seventy-five and 00/100 dollars ($75.00) per month prorated over a per-pay-check basis towards the future premium cost of the Open Access $500/$1,000 Deductible Plan for the remainder of the 2010 - 2011 insurance year. As an alternative, the School Board may, at the request of the employee, provide the owed credit to the employee as a cash refund.
c. Effective April 1, 2011, the School Board shall provide a high deductible plan with a health savings account (HSA). For any employee who enrolls in the family coverage of the high deductible Empower HSA plan or its equivalent, the School Board shall contribute up to, but not to exceed, one thousand five and 00/100 dollars ($1,005.00) per month. Any additional cost of the premium shall be borne by the employee and paid by payroll deduction.
Effective April 1, 2011, for any employee who was enrolled in the family Open Access Choice $25 Copay Plan or Open Access $500/$1,000 Deductible Plan or its equivalent for the 2010 – 2011 plan year and enrolls in the family coverage of the high deductible Empower HSA plan, the School District shall apply a credit of up to, but not to exceed, seventy-five and 00/100 dollars ($75.00) per month prorated over a per-pay-check basis towards the future premium cost of the high deductible Empower HSA plan for the remainder of the 2010 - 2011 insurance year. As an alternative, the School Board may, at the request of the employee, provide the owed credit to the employee as a cash refund or deposit the owed credit in the employee’s HSA.
8.1.3 4 Upon termination of employment or loss of insurance eligibility, the employee will be offered an extension of insurance coverage according to the provisions of applicable state or federal law.
Premiums: Total Monthly Premium SINGLE (S) FAMILY (F)
$25 Copay/Double Gold $562 (s) $1616 (f)
$500/$1000 Deductible CMM $460.50 (s) $1322 (f)
$2750/$5500 Deductible HSA $349.50 (s) $1004.50 (f)
CONTRACT LANGUAGE
8.1 Health and Hospitalization Insurance
8.1.1 Except as otherwise noted in Sections 8.1.3.b. and 8.1.3.c., Tthe School Board shall contribute a sum of not to exceed nine hundred thirty and 00/100 dollars (930.00) per month pursuant to the insurance benefit schedule described in Section 8.7., toward the premium for single or dependent coverage for each employee regularly scheduled to be employed by the School District forty (40) hours per week and twelve (12) months per year and who qualifies for and is enrolled in the School District group health and hospitalization plan. Any employee who qualifies for and is enrolled in the School District group health and hospitalization plan and who is regularly scheduled to be employed by the School District a minimum of twenty (20) hours or more per week shall receive a prorated contribution from the School District towards such coverage. The proration shall be based on two thousand eighty (2080) hours per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30).
8.1.2 Single Coverage
a. Effective with the employee’s 2010 – 2011 insurance year (as described in Section 8.7 Insurance Benefit Schedule), the School Board contribution towards the single coverage of the Open Access Choice $25 Copay Plan or its equivalent shall be up to, but not to exceed five hundred sixty-two and 00/100 dollars ($562.00) per month. Any additional cost of the premium shall be borne by the employee and paid by payroll deduction.
b. Effective with the employee’s 2010 – 2011 insurance year (as described in Section 8.7 Insurance Benefit Schedule), the School Board contribution towards the single coverage of the Open Access $500 Deductible Plan or its equivalent shall be up to, but not to exceed, six hundred twenty and 00/100 dollars ($620.00) per month. Any additional cost of the premium shall be borne by the employee and paid by payroll deduction.
Effective April 1, 2011, for any employee who was enrolled in the Open Access Choice $25 Copay Plan or its equivalent and enrolls in the Open Access $500 Deductible Plan, the School District shall provide a total one-time cash payment of three hundred and 00/100 dollars ($300.00). The one-time cash payment amount of three hundred and 00/100 dollars ($300.00) shall not be prorated for part-time employees.
c. Effective April 1, 2011, the School Board shall provide a high deductible plan with a health savings account (HSA). For any employee who enrolls in the single coverage of the high deductible Empower HSA plan or its equivalent, the School Board shall contribute a sum up to, but not to exceed, six hundred twenty and 00/100 dollars ($620.00) per month. The calculated benefit amount, which shall be prorated for part-time employees in accordance with the proration formula described in Section 8.1.1, shall first be applied towards the cost of the premium with any remaining amount up to, but not to exceed, two hundred twenty-nine and 16/100 dollars ($229.16) per month contributed to a HSA in the employee’s name. Any additional cost of the premium shall be borne by the employee and paid by payroll deduction.
Hardship: If an employee incurs one or more claims for a qualified health expense that exceeds the employee’s current HSA account balance, the School Board may, at the request of the employee, accelerate its prorated contribution to the HSA for that insurance benefit year to the extent necessary to reimburse the employee for the claim or at the School Board’s discretion, an amount up to, but not to exceed, the full HSA contribution amount to which the employee would otherwise be entitled to receive during the insurance benefit year. If an employee leaves the District prior to the end of the employee’s insurance benefit year, any unearned contribution will be paid back to the District.
April, 2011 through June 30, 2011 indemnity: If an employee’s incurred deductible expenses exceed six hundred eighty-seven and 50/100 dollars ($687.50), the School Board shall indemnify the employee for qualified deductible expenses up to, but not to exceed, one thousand one hundred forty-five and 00/100 dollars ($1,145.00). The calculated indemnity benefit will be prorated for part-time employees in accordance with the proration formula described in Section 8.1.1.
8.1.3 Family Coverage
a. Effective with the employee’s 2010 – 2011 insurance year (as described in Section 8.7 Insurance Benefit Schedule), the School Board contribution towards family coverage of the Open Access Choice $25 Copay Plan or its equivalent shall be up to, but not to exceed, nine hundred thirty and 00/100 dollars ($930.00) per month. Any additional cost of the premium shall be borne by the employee and paid by payroll deduction.
b. Effective with the employee’s 2010 – 2011 insurance year (as described in Section 8.7 Insurance Benefit Schedule), the School Board contribution towards family coverage of the Open Access $500/$1,000 Deductible Plan or its equivalent shall be up to, but not to exceed one thousand five and 00/100 dollars ($1,005.00) per month. Any additional cost of the premium shall be borne by the employee and paid by payroll deduction.
Effective April 1, 2011, for any employee who was enrolled in the family Open Access Choice $25 Copay Plan or Open Access $500/$1,000 Deductible Plan or its equivalent for the 2010 – 2011 insurance year, the School District shall apply a credit of up to, but not to exceed, seventy-five and 00/100 dollars ($75.00) per month prorated over a per-pay-check basis towards the future premium cost of the Open Access $500/$1,000 Deductible Plan for the remainder of the 2010 - 2011 insurance year. As an alternative, the School Board may, at the request of the employee, provide the owed credit to the employee as a cash refund.
c. Effective April 1, 2011, the School Board shall provide a high deductible plan with a health savings account (HSA). For any employee who enrolls in the family coverage of the high deductible Empower HSA plan or its equivalent, the School Board shall contribute up to, but not to exceed, one thousand five and 00/100 dollars ($1,005.00) per month. Any additional cost of the premium shall be borne by the employee and paid by payroll deduction.
Effective April 1, 2011, for any employee who was enrolled in the family Open Access Choice $25 Copay Plan or Open Access $500/$1,000 Deductible Plan or its equivalent for the 2010 – 2011 plan year and enrolls in the family coverage of the high deductible Empower HSA plan, the School District shall apply a credit of up to, but not to exceed, seventy-five and 00/100 dollars ($75.00) per month prorated over a per-pay-check basis towards the future premium cost of the high deductible Empower HSA plan for the remainder of the 2010 - 2011 insurance year. As an alternative, the School Board may, at the request of the employee, provide the owed credit to the employee as a cash refund or deposit the owed credit in the employee’s HSA.
8.1.3 4 Upon termination of employment or loss of insurance eligibility, the employee will be offered an extension of insurance coverage according to the provisions of applicable state or federal law.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Information for meeting 3/23/11
Thank you to members who have emailed about the upcoming meeting. I wanted to post a few things until the detailed information gets posted, hopefully tomorrow. Negotiating team members will be available to take questions before you vote. The main issue is on insurance, with the acceptance of the proposal setting up an enrollment for those seeking HSA. Some other issues are 6 hours being full time across our contract being denied by the district, along with adding to longevity pay. The district withdrew it's request to sunset vacation for new hires. The district is also offering a one time payout for agreeing to the contract, on a pro rated basis for those who did not receive a step increase in the 2009/10 and 2010/11 school year. When training for our members before the school year begins was proposed, the district offered to do so if we use vacations days. Other issues involved contract language for leaves of absence, Grade I pay and representation on committees.
The contract you will be voting on ends at the end of this school year, then we are back to negotiations again.
Look for more to follow and thank you for your concern in our union!
Information on blog/Seeking nominations
I apologize to those who have came to the blog looking for information and have not found what they are looking for. Remember, my email is president3331@hotmail.com. Please let me know of questions or concerns. I will also post a note on how to leave comments here on the blog. It was created as a way to convey or get union information at any time, without posting so much that it would be ignored.
REMINDER: We are looking for nominations for the executive board seats of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Any involvement in your local benefits everyone.
Thank you to those who have served and to members who care about the present and future of our union!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
VOTE SET FOR WEDNESDAY 3/23/11 ON CONTRACT
We will be having a vote at Elk River High School on Wednesday, March 23 from 2:30 until 5 P.M.
in the little theater. Please spread the word and watch for more information to follow.
in the little theater. Please spread the word and watch for more information to follow.
Friday, February 18, 2011
VOTE CANCELED
Due to changes in the district proposal, we have canceled the vote. The negotiating team hopes to have more changes soon.
Monday, February 7, 2011
CONTRACT PROPOSAL VOTE SET FOR 2/22/11
The school district has a proposal for a contract our negotiating team will present on Tuesday, February 22, 2011. We will give our opinions on why you should or should not accept the proposal and we will take questions from members. The time will be 4:15, with the site to be determined. This blog will also have details of the proposal to consider before voting.
Please let your fellow members know and stay posted for more details.
Perry Ottney
President, Chief Steward of local 3331
president3331@hotmail.com
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Negotiation Update
The negotiating team met with the district on Monday, 1/17/11 for over 12 and 1/2 hours. We have not come to an agreement with the district. Your negotiating team and council rep. Jo have put in many hours and are trying to get a contract that is good for all members. Please keep posted to the blog for more updates.
Perry Ottney
President, Chief Steward for Local 3331
Perry Ottney
President, Chief Steward for Local 3331
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)