The Key Newspaper had a letter from the Nazareth Area Education Association to the Taxpayers of the Nazareth Area School District in its issue distributed November 15, 2006.
The letter was an advertisement. I found no reference to this letter on the NAEA web site this evening. So I've taken the liberty of re-typing it from the advertisement here:
To: Taxpayers of NASD
From: NAEA Negotiation Team
Date: November 9, 2006
Subject: Negotiations Update
Recently the school board posted what they called "negotiation facts." This is not the first time that the board has made statements that are their views of the situation and not facts. It would be very easy for NAEA to respond and present our views on the situations, but that would not solve anything. It would only serve to cause more division within the school community. We have been in negotiations since December 13, 2005. The time for this kind of posturing has past.
The process of fact finding has already started. On November 15th both sides will present their supporting arguments to a third party, who will then make a recommendation as to what he thinks the contract might look like. This is a non-binding report. Each side will have ten days to accept or reject the report. After that, negotiations can continue if they need to.
We currently have a grievance concerning our health care plan that has reached the arbitration stage. This arbitration will decide if the school district unilaterally cut our health care without negotiating those changes with the NAEA. When we get the ruling both sides will know exactly where we stand. The exact timing for this arbitration is not known at this time. It could take a few months or a full year to settle. This decision is binding on both parties. It needs to be done to bring closure to this matter.
It is our belief that we should not be casting out random numbers and bits and pieces of information that can be presented in a light that is favorable to one side. We all know how numbers can be manipulated to serve your own purpose. We need to allow the process to take its course.
We ask for your patience in this matter. Even though this situation may be a distraction to the education process, our membership is committed to providing the quality education that we have always provided.
Thanks for your understanding and support.
Sincerely
NAEA Negotiation Team
7 comments:
Okay, they talk about the health care problem, but that is being worked through another channel.
What does this letter tell me? Absolutely NOTHING! Other than they think the district is not telling the whole truth. Should there be a reason why I should believe the NAEA negotiation team is telling the truth?
Maybe if they gave us some simple facts as to what their demands are, then maybe, but for now, my distrust of the NAEA grows and thoughts around their honesty decreases as they continue to hide in the shadows.
I thought it was interesting that when this appeared on wednesday (and this may have changed since) the article was unavailable on their web site, but the section regarding negotiations still had comments by Dr. Lesky, lists of facts, and comparisons of salaries, the very things they state should be put behind us.
It will be interesting to see what the fact-finder comes up with.
I continue to be disappointed with the NAEA. Why can you not just simple state what you want in the contract. I agree that there is something that you are hiding. However, you have been told this several times and you do not come forward with answers.
You have no one but yourselves to blame for losing support of the taxpayers and parents in this district.
How can you not be on the side of the teachers? They are educating YOUR children. They deserve decent health care.
Consider this: Your child is entering the middle school and needs a routine check-up. You comply and take your child to their doctor. Now say you are a teacher in the NASD. Because its a routine visit, under the current benefit package available for the teachers, it IS NOT COVERED! How is that fair?
Health care is an important issue. And until the situation is settled, I don't think they can provide us with the details of the offer or contract.
I support the teachers and appreciate the work they do, however, you can't give everyone, everything they want, all the time.
I pay a $20.00 co-pay for every visit, but I also pay 20% of a family medical plan per month.
When I file my taxes each year I have over 7% of my household income go toward medical expenses. It has been over 10% in some years.
I personally find it difficult to find sympathy for the situation you describe.
Further, you seem to define "decent health care" not by the quality of coverage, but based on the cost.
These are two distinct aspects of the issue - what you get and how much you have to pay to get it.
Is the plan good and the amount bad or both? If the plan is bad why? If the amount why?
Comparatively speaking it looks pretty good to me. This doesn't mean I don't support teachers, it only means I think what they are being offered is more than fair in the current environment.
BTW - I had the opportunity to be on this plan in 1999/00 and can say it is considerably better than what I have now.
I see your point that you have a co-pay for visits but I don't think they even have that.
I would like to see both sides come to a conclusion, with a plan and contract that is fair to both parties.
It is just hard for the parents and tax payers of the district.
Has anyone discussed Medical Savings Accounts? This would allow the teachers to set an example in personal responsibility. In addition we might want to look at Merit pay raises for teachers who are truly making a difference and are superior at their chosen occupation
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