Do you want to bargain over educational policy?
For years, the MEA has fought to give teachers more voice in educational policy matters. On Wednesday during February Break, 40 MEA members showed up to testify in support of LD 240 — a bill to allow teachers to negotiate planning and prep time, class size and caseloads, and transfer. The members that testified were amazing and spectacular. The Labor Committee will debate this bill on Wednesday, February 27.
Contact the Labor Committee and share why the right to bargain over planning and prep periods, transfers and class sizes is important. You can share your story using this link: LD 240 – http://cqrcengage.com/neame/app/onestep-write-a-letter?2&engagementId=496396
Personal stories always win the day, so be sure to tell them how passing LD 240 will help your classroom and your students. Legislators need to hear from you!
Pay Averaging and Low Wages for Hourly School Employees:
The Labor Committee also heard testimony on LD 300 – a bill to require districts to offer pay averaging to hourly employees. The hearing was about pay averaging, but the real story was about the low wages of ed techs, bus drivers, custodians and others in our public schools. This bill is a commonsense solution and would help hourly school employees all over the state. Click here to share your story about why this bill should pass.
Pension Taxes
The Taxation Committee unanimously passed a bill that would gradually reduce income taxes on teacher pensions, providing relief to retired educators. Submitted by Senator Shenna Bellows and Senator Dave Miramant, this bill now heads to the House and Senate for votes.
Raise Minimum Teacher Salary
Mark it down . . . Monday, March 4 at 10 A.M.-this is the day lawmakers will discuss raising teacher salaries to a minimum of $40,000.
MEA understands salaries are too low as the profession struggles to attract and retain young people. More than 35% of Maine’s teachers are 55 or older. These are startling statistics. Low teacher pay is just one reason keeping people out of the profession-raising the minimum teacher salary in Maine can help.
On March 4, the Education Committee will consider bills to lift minimum teacher salary.
- LD 419 will lift minimum teacher salary for teachers to $50K. Click here to read LD 419.
- LD 898 raises teacher starting salary to $40K and outlines professional support systems for new teachers. Click here to read LD 898.
MEA supports both bills and needs teachers to share their stories with lawmakers about why it’s crucial to lift teacher pay. Share your story by clicking here:http://cqrcengage.com/neame/app/onestep-write-a-letter?5&engagementId=497057
If you can come to the public hearing on Monday, March 4 at 10 a.m., please let MEA know by contacting us: https://maineea.org/contact-us/
If you aren’t able to come, please take a quick video with your statement of support.
Finally, you can send a message to Ed Committee members and share why you support raising teacher salary – click here.
