1 – You will now receive your step raises even if your contract expires and your local is currently negotiating a new contract but has not yet settled.
MEA pushed to create this new law that will give members their due raises despite difficult contract negotiations. The MEA worked hard with state lawmakers to create this law which provides educators the financial stability they deserve.
You can check out the MEA’s salary guide here: MEA Salary Guide
2 – You can now bargain over planning and prep time.
While some educators have planning and prep time written into their contracts, far too many do not and MEA understands these items are key to creating optimal working conditions. MEA worked hard on a new law that allows members the right to negotiate over these items. Previously, planning and prep time were considered “permissive subjects of negotiation.” However, with this new law both planning and prep time have been taken out of that category, making them issues local unions can negotiate over.
3 – Health Insurance costs for retirees are going down, after MEA advocacy.
MEA understands the need to improve the benefits of our members and has advocated for years to reduce the cost of health insurance premiums for retirees. The advocacy work paid off this past legislative session as a measure passed that increases the amount the State pays toward premiums by 10%. The new premium cost for retirees on the Medicare Advantage plan, with the increase in the State share, is $176.99 a year. This increase in the State share amounts to a total yearly savings to retirees of $472.08, or $39.34 per month. For retirees enrolled in MEABT Active plans who are tied to the rate of the school district they retired from, new rates will vary, but will be reduced due to the increase in the State share toward premiums. Please note that you as a retiree don’t need to take any action to receive the 55% contribution. The Benefits Trust is working with its partners at Anthem, the State and MePERs to implement this change for all impacted retirees.
More info on important issues, including COVID sick leave can be found here: EMERGENCY PAID SICK LEAVE
