UPDATE: 3% Case to be heard by Michigan Supreme Court

MEA statement regarding Supreme Court decision to hear Snyder appeal on 3 percent lawsuit

 

 

June 1, 2017 — The following can be attributed to MEA President Steven Cook in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to hear Gov. Snyder’s appeal in the long-running lawsuit regarding the 3 percent of salary illegally taken from school employees paychecks:

 

“We are disappointed in the decision by the Michigan Supreme Court to grant the Snyder administration’s application for leave to appeal on the 3 percent case. MEA and our coalition of plaintiffs have won at every level this case has been heard.

“It has been seven years since trial court originally ruled that PA 75 was unconstitutional. The case history since then clearly shows the withholding of the 3 percent from school employee’s paychecks was in direct violation of the Michigan Constitution.

“We look forward to presenting our case to the Supreme Court and to the day when school employees across the state will receive the money that was illegally taken from them.”

“The mission of the MEA is to ensure that the education of our students and the working environments of our members are of the highest quality.”

 

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Congratulations to PEA’s Linda Holzwarth! Educator of the Year and $10,000 winner!

West Middle School educator was the well deserving recipient of the award and as a bonus had it presented at WMS by MSU’s basketball coach, Tom Izzo!!!! Well deserved Linda! Read the whole story and see the news clip at the link below!

http://woodtv.com/2017/05/24/portage-teacher-gets-10k-as-educator-of-the-year/amp/

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The DEATH OF PENSIONS!

The Michigan legislature is taking action to kill the MPSERS pension system every public school employee has worked under and is currently working under. They will reduce it to a simple 401k system thus discouraging college students from becoming educators, administrators, custodians, bus drivers, secretaries or educational specialists and further eroding the quality of the profession of teacher. House HB4647 and  Senate SB401 have identical language and are moving forward.

Making sense of the the terrible pension killing bills and their impact.

Remember the unilateral change from 1.5% multiplier most of us planned on during our career? It was voted down to a 1.25% that no employee impacted by it could stop. It was never voted on by the electorate just a vote of the politicians to weaken and reduce the pension for all school employees. Same deal is happening now with these proposed bills.

Remember the unconstitutional 3% money grab by the Governor and Republicans in Lansing that was deemed unconstitutional by the courts? That ruling was appealed and upheld as unconstitutional. Even the GOP Attorney General says to abide the two courts’ rulings and return it to the workers… and yet.. we’re not getting it and it is held up for several more years waiting for supreme court to hear the case?  Same deal
This proposed change will stop ALL money going into MPSERS from future employees. It is NOT just teachers but all those within the MPSERS system.  NOTHING more will be contributed by ANY public school employee hired in after the bill becomes law. That means only those still working under a pension system are paying in and that will only occur up to the point they retire. Then the billions in unfunded liability burden fall entirely on the state. Might it seem logical that in 20 or 30 years when people are drawing pensions and NO ONE is paying into MPSERS the State politicians again vote to stop or reduce payments to pensioners? Almost a certainty.
Any Governor, Senator or Congressman passing these bills will be term limited and long gone so they will not be impacted by the horrible decision and the dreadful negative fall out. It will be promises broken by the State to its loyal career educators and support staff.
By weakening and eliminating the pension it will build an easier climate for the Charter and Private schools that Trump, DeVos and Snyder favor to gain access to public funds and to match the public schools’ benefits package. Currently the pension and benefits and pay are still significantly better in public sector. This, along with the sweeping reductions and attacks from 2011, will allow FOR PROFIT companies to exploit the negative climate and make massive profits on the back of the students and staff.
Call your legislator and implore them to vote no
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MPSERS under attack by Lansing! Is your pension safe!?

Please be informed and contact your legislators! There is a link to Legislative contacts under the ‘Resources’ section of this home-page!

Here is a short 4 minute video from the MEA giving your the background on the issue.

 

Here are some of the key points and resources for contacting your legislator urging a NO vote on changing current system.

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Michigan Education Association has elected new leaders!

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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NOT in good standing can jeopardize your career!

Being in a union and having the protection and benefits is much like homeowners insurance. I have been paying on my policy for decades and with the exception of one or two smaller claims for a damaged roof I have not needed to replace my home and belongings due to a fire, but I’m covered if it should happen. I can’t get a policy after the accident and expect it to cover my loss. The same holds true of union representation and legal support should it be needed. Be sure to stay current and please help your colleagues understand the dangers of falling into arrears and becoming a member NOT in good standing.

Read more at the attached link below!

Member-In-Good-Standing

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MPSERS pension system to be closed to new hires! 9-8 vote taken November 30

apitolsummer

 

http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2016/11/30/senate-tackle-school-employee-pensions-today/94656622/

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