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One: Last week all that was said is we(union members) are leaving if we don't get what we want(opps..deserve) now they have authorized all actions includeing strikes...what has changed?
Two: I read some supposed student comments. They have stated that they will be going on strike also. I am note clear on what students striking for the striking teachers will acomplish...maybe it will get you a day off? or you will get on TV maybe even MSNBC. Just what does it do?
MAYBE YOU SHOULDN'T START RUMORS. Or did you just let the lion out of the bag about the teachers plan.....BOY will Bobby and the rest of the union leadership be mad at you
"I read some supposed student comments. They have stated that they will be going on strike also."
ALSO...meaning, that there are more than just students that will be striking, your words, that indicated that they would be striking with others. You can't remember if you were home schooled, or went to parochial school nor can you remember what YOU posted, in your own words. You seem to have a track record of contradicting yourself, wouldn't you say?
For the record I went to parochial school(thanks for the correct spelling!!)
Here's what you said..."clears up the fact that that you wouldn't get the idea that the kids striking wouldn't have school to start with. BECAUSE THERE WONT BE SCHOOL FOR ANYONE IF THERE IS A
STRIKE!" Hope that shows you where the rumors started.
You seem to have the same record
"Two questions for supporters of the teachers:
One: Last week all that was said is we(union members) are leaving if we don't get what we want(opps..deserve) now they have authorized all actions includeing strikes...what has changed?
Two: I read some supposed student comments. They have stated that they will be going on strike also. I am note clear on what students striking for the striking teachers will acomplish...maybe it will get you a day off? or you will get on TV maybe even MSNBC. Just what does it do?"
Might I highlight this part:
"now they have authorized all actions including strikes."
Your words regarding strike. I know what I wrote, and I said IF THEY STRIKE....I DID NOT SAY THEY ARE GOING TO STRIKE ...."IF" does not mean that they ARE GOING TO.....Try to keep up, I know it's difficult when you can't even remember where you were schooled.
I really don't need to spell it out because anyone that would read what I wrote and compared it to what you wrote would know that you are looking for trouble...you should really lay off of whatever it is you are ingesting, it's making you very irritable and confused.
1) Maybe the union members will leave, but FIRST they might be willing to negotiate.
2) As far as student comments go, maybe some of our High Schoolers have had wonderful teachers whom they will support through this process. It isn't all about getting a day off or being on TV for some people. For some people, loyalty and support are enough -- there doesn't need to be any monetary or other "fringe" benefits. It is called character.
The lack of a perspective and understanding of this issue is pervasive. And the inability to see anytithing other than what they know are are familiar with is startling. Who are they listening too? The poor, the whining, and those that not only do not value education, cannot be educated.
This city is in a poverty mindset, protect the locals, mindset and it is a shame.
We are cerrtainly a model city of the 21st century. that model is one of decline, decay, neglect and imminent failure.
to the Alderman and the BOA - this is an unecessary moment in time, that will clearly have long term effects on this city.
I amseriously consdiering putting a double wide trailer in my front yard and rent ingit out. Seems like it would be better to exploit the mindset of this city and bring in some more hard cases. At least that was I could get a fee lunch like everyone else seems to want.
Here may go one high earning homeowner - and soon to come is a landlord of low rent trailers. How is that for investing in the community.
Hopefully the section 8 residents I hope to rent to have multiple children that are ESL.
I bet if I did this the Aldernman would even grant me a tax abatement for community development and forward thinking.....might even subsidize my investment.
Move on people - this is not the place to bring your families. My scenario above would probably be seen as a good idea to many of the alderman -
Nashua is a joke.
68th for starting teachers pay. That's horrible.
I hope this can be settled and support the teachers to do what is right!
The school board felt that the contract sent to the board of alderman was fair (5-0). The board of alderman passed it (8-6) but the mayor who was new to the dance vetoed it . Like most office holders she is worried about the next election and is playing to the Teeboom and Deane crowd and could care less about what is fair.
I am not sure if you noticed but some of the alderman wanted it clarified that the contract would be nullified if the funding wasn’t there. Why don’t you look at the big picture before you waste your time with pointless post.
The previous city negotiators are to blame for the high cost of the teachers' contracts - which recently are being driven as much by spiraling health care costs as much as teacher pay raises.
Back in the day (circa 1999) $5,000 could buy you great healthcare coverage for a family, having the city pay for 95% of that cost probably didn't seem too bad. But now that cost is $1,500 A MONTH - $18,000 per year. So now the city is forking over $17,000 per year for those teachers with family coverage. That plan was the Cadillac of health plans - so much so that it made the Nashua funded plan the hands down go-to plan when dual-working spouses chose which of their health plans to use - further driving up the costs to the city since it was always the non Nashua city employee that would waive coverage. It's not the union's fault - theyre taking advantage of a handout….Tell someone you'll pay 95% of any car they buy and most would buy the Cadillac. Then tell them you'll only pay 90% on the next car - and they will complain. That's what we have now.
It also set a bad precedent. Now the union thinks that having to contribute 10% is a big concession (but they are only willing to do it in steps), along with having to pay more than $5 for office visit copay or a 90 day supply of brand name drugs. There is no incentive for the employee to cut costs because of the very low contribution level under even the proposed contract.
Employees of most any company would LOVE to have the new "concession" level. Employers elsewhere have taken the stand that employees must SHARE in these heath care cost increases in a meaningful way. These employers also use a carrot and stick approach, providing incentives to choose the most efficient plan, and providing CASH for waiving insurance, or using below some benefit level. Not doing it for this contract will cause problems down the road.
Specify a fixed dollar amount of benefits for the base year of the new contract. Cost share any health care increases 50/50 with the employees. What you will see is that instead of insisting on only "Cadillac" plans, employees will choose wisely from a wide range of plans (including HSAs), saving themselves and the city on healthcare dollars.
The future savings from having the employee consider what insurance he should buy and pay for in a meaningful way (or get cash if saving the city money) should be more than enough to fund any retroactive pay for teachers. It could be structured so that the teachers who don't opt for the family plan do not see any net loss in salary + benefits or perhaps the savings is enough to see the ENTIRE pay raise as a net.
Maybe the BOE should fire the lot of you and start fresh with a whole new team.
Signed,
Angry Parent!
Teaching isn't a private sector job. I work in the private sector, I know. I have never gotten a raise just for showing up to work. That's insane. My job isn't protected by seniority. In fact, if our stock price loses enough value, I can expect to lose my job in a heartbeat. You talk about deserving things, I say private sector workers deserve more because they're taking the risk of no raises, no job, etc. Teachers have it made with regard to those issues. You can't pick one thing (salary) that private sector workers have and whine about it. If it's so much better, let the teachers change sides.
I don't care about threats from teachers who are going to leave. If all they're interested in is money, let them go. Our property taxes keep going up. I'm not going to be threatened into accepting but another hike. Yes, the teachers aren't responsible for wasting the money, but that doesn't change the fact that there's no more money to give. Complain to the BOA and BOE about wasteful spending, don't complain to the people that pay taxes. Let them curb spending on other things in order to maintain the spending cap.
By entering into the negotiation, the BOA certainly will lower costs to the taxpayers this time around. Do not expect similar results with the next contract. The union will expect the BOA to demand additional concessions and will, as a result, not concede as much to the BOE.
Anybody who has formally studied negotiations (as I have), understands that this asymmetrical negotiation process is not sustainable and will produce exactly the type of impasse we see today. It will be worse next time around.
If the BOA are going to assert their authority during the contracts process, why have the BOE at all?
Go ahead, I know you aren't working, you have time to troll, I mean, answer that.
Let's imagine another situation - the union reps, the BOE, and the BOA all agree on a contract, but then the rank and file of the union don't support the contract. How would the BOE and BOA feel? Would they feel that the union wasn't negotiating in good faith or negotiating to a contract their representatives would approve.
Or perhaps another situation. Let's say that you negotiate a price for a home you want to buy. You work really hard to come to a compromise (and you do). Then - let's say another party swoops in and rejects the deal and asks for more concessions. How would you react?
Bottom line, negotiation without any expectation of ratification or approval is fruitless and will incur deadlock. The BOA pulled a one-time trick that will damage union / BOA relations for years to come.
Why isnt the BOE in touch with what the BOA can approve
If they take a family plan (and why would they take a spouse's plan- the Nashua plan is the Cadillac and contributions will only get to 10% by the end of the new contract) they get a 15K benefit while you get a 5K benefit. This doesn't even include dental or vision.
So if single workers insisted on equal pay+benefits for equal work, both married and single workers could get 10K worth of benefits with no increase to the city. And since your health plan only costs 5K, the city would give you 5K to offset the savings.
So look to your union for fairness first...then complain about the city.
Most Hondas and almost half of all Toyotas are made in the US while many GM, Ford, and Chrysler vehicles are made in Korea, Mexico, and Canada.
Research before you open show how ignorant of facts and reality.
And other people need to vote? Do you do that when a lawyer wants more money? Or your doctor? Or, better yet, PSNH or your heat source?
Ya, didn't think so.
I am not headhunted like you are but also because of no contract am able to and have switched jobs for more money and oppertunities. The entitlement mentality is not allowed any where I have ever worked(ok you are right I can't state the law, not sure they need a law on that). Your last paragraph is the most baffiling of all. I and others are allowed to vote on city spending it is one thing thqat is under all of our control. I don't vote on the things you mentioned never have never will and never have been allowed...but government spending is a different story
Why should we settle for a contract that is less than we already have? The money that was "put aside" for education was used by the city to fund things like the local dump. Therefore, citizen's of Nashua, you chose to pay for your garbage and not your children's education. Nobody wants to strike! Stop putting that in your kids heads. Do you know that they listen to you and come to school afraid and upset? I do. I can't even tell them it is going to be alright. I can't say anything at all. Parents, please help your kids through this difficult time. We need to stand together as a community. And I say that as a teacher who travels 45 min. to school each day. Why? I love Nashua's diversity and the students that bring so much to my life. I am not leaving. I am proud of what I do.
The previous city negotiators are to blame for the high cost of the teachers' contracts - which recently are being driven as much by spiraling health care costs as much as teacher pay raises.
Back in the day (circa 1999) $5,000 could buy you great healthcare coverage for a family, having the city pay for 95% of that cost probably didn't seem too bad. But now that cost is $1,500 A MONTH - $18,000 per year. So now the city is forking over $17,000 per year for those teachers with family coverage. That plan was the Cadillac of health plans - so much so that it made the Nashua funded plan the hands down go-to plan when dual-working spouses chose which of their health plans to use - further driving up the costs to the city since it was always the non Nashua city employee that would waive coverage. It's not the union's fault - theyre taking advantage of a handout….Tell someone you'll pay 95% of any car they buy and most would buy the Cadillac. Then tell them you'll only pay 90% on the next car - and they will complain. That's what we have now.
It also set a bad precedent. Now the union thinks that having to contribute 10% is a big concession (but they are only willing to do it in steps), along with having to pay more than $5 for office visit copay or a 90 day supply of brand name drugs. There is no incentive for the employee to cut costs because of the very low contribution level under even the proposed contract.
Employees of most any company would LOVE to have the new "concession" level. Employers elsewhere have taken the stand that employees must SHARE in these heath care cost increases in a meaningful way. These employers also use a carrot and stick approach, providing incentives to choose the most efficient plan, and providing CASH for waiving insurance, or using below some benefit level. Not doing it for this contract will cause problems down the road.
Specify a fixed dollar amount of benefits for the base year of the new contract. Cost share any health care increases 50/50 with the employees. What you will see is that instead of insisting on only "Cadillac" plans, employees will choose wisely from a wide range of plans (including HSAs), saving themselves and the city on healthcare dollars.
The future savings from having the employee consider what insurance he should buy and pay for in a meaningful way (or get cash if saving the city money) should be more than enough to fund any retroactive pay for teachers. It could be structured so that the teachers who don't opt for the family plan do not see any net loss in salary + benefits or perhaps the savings is enough to see the ENTIRE pay raise as a net.
This seems like a fair way to balance the risks of high healthcare benefits without major withdrawal symptoms befalling the teachers who have taken advantage of the city negotiators' mistakes in the past. Not that I blame them, I blame the system that was set up.
Melissa. You're obviously a teacher (the "we" in your statements). Why do you feel what's being offered is not consistent with "what you deserve?" Should the school budget be allowed to grow uncontrolled simply because people feel they deserve more? What's the criteria for being deserving? What's fair about city employees paying a much smaller portion for health care premiums than the average taxpayer yet those taxpayers have to pay extra because of that? The union is ridiculous for passing on this deal.
Waste. Yesterday you made a point about not getting any kind of rebuttal flung at you. But it's okay for you to jump on Melissa's comments pretty quickly. You're quite the "do as I say, not as I do" player, eh Woody?
I'd like to have someone answer Melissa's question about how can the city be so hard on buying Pennichuck
when they can't afford to pay their teachers?
Also, why should the teachers accept what the mayor put on the table? It's less than the 0-4-4-4 mandate that Mayor Streeter and the BOA have been preaching about.
Or is that "re-opener" clause that Alderman
Teeboom talked about not REALLY a problem?
It was a primary reason (or excuse maybe?) for his saying he would not vote for the 1st year increase.
Alderman Cookson said he would voted for the override in a 0 increase 1st year but leaving the years 2, 3 and 4 the same. Cookson and Teeboom plus the 8 who voted for the contract makes 10... hey Mayor
Lozeau, I've got the 10 votes too!
he wouldn't
Another fact: this should have been over by the time it made it to the mayor.
make comments but pointed. Anyway, I'd say that the contract aside, the work done by the
vast majority of teachers isn't appreciated. I may be trying to speak on some of their behalf but I don't think I'm far off. The work they do goes far beyond the 7 hours a day, 9 months a year mentality that most have directed towards them.
This contract issue has brought out the worst or a dark side from several directions. I agree this should have been over by the time it made it to the mayor.
I along with MANY in the private sector, work MANY unpaid hours for my job. I also sometimes buy my own supplies and do things outside of my "job description".
And I PAY 20% of my health care costs.
I hope you are not telling your students that "I can't think of another profession that doesn't get compensated for the time they put into their job"
<roll eyes>
I have kept up to all of the pepper ball going on , and after being a Union member for 42 years i must say it is time to make a final deal and fold up the bargaining table . This 3 ring circus is getting to be old hat.
I totally agree with the mayor , the city can give most of the demands to the"Union " however , the city cannot afford the extra 3 mill $ . Privately a person may want to purchase a $ 35000 dollar car however they have to settle on a $ 24000 car because of other commitments.
IT IS TIME FOR THE - UNION , SCHOOL BOARD- MAYOR and the ALDERMEN to sit at the same table and solve this problem . This also includes bringing Mr. HOTTLE to the tabel .
Given the state of the economics in todays world this isn't the time to play the DARE GAME . It's time to cut a deal and come back and fight another day. AMEM.
However, if they go on strike, break state law and I guarantee that the state will not have the guts to propsecute these teachers as the criminals that they would be.
Nor would the mayor have the guts or political will to fire them - which is what they should do when they walk off the job. Just as the rest of us would be fired if we failed to show up for work.
I am so sick of the teacher's unions in this country taking the stance that they are "doing it for the children." What a crock of nonsense people. You are doing it for you and no one else. Let it go to arbitration, but you walk and you lose all respect.
BUT ONCE YOU START DOWN THAT HILL IT IS HARD TO GET STOPPED AND TURNED AROUND.
How many of these teachers actually live in Nashua? One teacher (who lives in Lowell) wrote a letter on Monday crying about more money. He lives in Lowell and it has been said that Mass. pays better than NH, then why doesn't he work in Mass where he lives?
Let them strike! They need to be fired! How many teachers are close to retirement: are they willing to take the risk of losing some of their pension?
Does this now get classified as a job that Americans don't want to do??
First time, the BOA says no, not going to happen. No first year raises, just like the other city contracts.
Second time, with some wording changes and minor adjustment, the BOA says no again; No first year raises, just like the other city contracts.
There seemed to be some type of delay in process, perhaps waiting for new members to take seat on BOA? Waiting for a new Mayor?
Whatever, it gets presented for a third time. Same arguments on the floor. However, the contract gets an 8-6 vote.
I watched that meeting, some of those faces did not look like they wanted to pass this contract; more likely it passed so that the contract could get the heck out of their hands.
What next. Mayor does her veto; (No first year raises)
Teachers gather with their union and threaten to take
whatever *job action* is necessary to get the first year raise that they *deserve*
Where does that leave the students?
To the NTU and its members:
What makes your union more deserving of the first year raise, over those who have accepted contracts without one?
Don't tell me that it has already been stated; I do not want to weed through the fields of horse poop that are these comment boards;
I just want to know what makes your particular union stand out above the rest who have already given up that first year raise..
In my situation I get paid a salery for 40 hours of work...I get to come and go as I please(pretty much) but when the time comes it means that I am there till the job is done...meaning more than 40 hours every week. Are they not on salery?
don't have a clue what a teacher does. I like you have worked in the private sector for many years but unlike you I did not get a salary, I work on commision and paid my own expenses. I only got paid for what I sold so don't preach about how tough you have it. It was the job that I picked and made a very good living.
My wife is teacher in Nashua and I see the work that she does and I have been to her classroom.
The govt. could not print enough money for me to let them lock me up with 20-25 children for 6.5 hours
a day.
Why don't you sub for a couple of days and maybe
it would change your mind. As for making their ownd schedule nothing could be further from the truth,
lesson plans are made so that a sub will know
what work to cover so the day is not lost.
Be prepared for typical teacher elitist claptrap about how "special" they are, moreso than any other city union, thus making them deserving of special treatment that would require the city to tap into the reserve fund thereby mortgaging the city's future.
Listen, I appreciate the hard work and dedication teachers put forth to educate my children but the union has to realize that enough is enough, they have to compromise and accept the offer! There is only so much money! You are squandering what good will you have with the parents by essentially holding our children hostage with your threat of a work stoppage.
What part of "No raise in the first year" do you not get.
These teachers will see a generous raise in year 2, 3 and 4. They will not miss any steps on the schedule and they will receive a good health package.
If I choose to purchase a plasma TV for my garage and bathroom over contributing more to education, that is my business.
Stop making the teachers' financial problem something that I as a taxpayer needs to solve. I pay my taxes and part of that supports education. I will not contribute more to a bunch of cry babies who do not understand the meaning of "fair deal"
If you have been paying attention to what has been really going on in Nashua you would realize that several
aldermanthink they are the only ones that know what is best for the Nashua schools. They want to break all the unions in the city and they are starting with the largest one. Why is it that at one time 14 out of 16 unions were without new contracts.If you read the paper you should have seen the attacks that alderman Teeboom has made on the teachers of the city.
How can anyone believe that the current offer is a fair one when Teeboom and Deane were quick to endorse
it.
The teachers are not stupid they knew that anything Teeboom and Deane were quick to endorse was giving them the shaft.
other arguments than just names - logc for example. We are not in high school you know.
600 and counting
Joined: 08 Apr 2007
Question- how does this work? no details?
Oh, by the way- thanks. Your call for teachers to abandon the union was a prime reason for our solidarity.
The speaker mentioned your post, and after the audible gasp, the vote was just short of unanimous.
Someone suggested we give you a blue shirt. Maybe at the next Aldermanic meeting we'll have a little ceremony.
NTU member implies that *work action* motivated by Alderman's comments.
stayed tuned for more on "As the City turns"
This is a pathetic sad City
for the average $300,000.00 assessed home, that is about $30 bucks a year.
Still I already pay high taxes, out of which education is funded. I am not going to pay more just because a few teachers play heavy metal and wave signs around and threaten to strike.
Let them strike. Let them all hold their breath til their faces turn blue.
I pay my share.
Is it a stretch to say you are one of the ones who has had a life of no sales and income taxes, and as a result pay into the property tax bases sytem, and now that the bills are mounting don't feel you need to pay your fair share? IS that it, you are done now, so screw the rest of us?
If you want to live on an island, then go live on one. But you live in a community - and should support it.
You are a great example of reverse snobbery - and classism. Is this what America aspires to be? average at best and proud? No onder we are falling behind in the global arena. I bet you miss the Mills and Tanneries -
If you represnt the sentiment of Nashuan's this is a pathetic and broken city.
I read here on a seperate board, someone saying you were a troll....couldn't agree more.
here brand=her brand?
aroud to=around too?
did'nt =didn't?
wht =what?
stayinh=staying?
educated eliteists ......were you going to finish that thought or sentence later?
Now I understand your spelling and grammer. Got it. Natch. Homeschooled. One paragraph. 7 errors. Yup. We got it all wrong. Tell us, oh wise sage, how should we run our education again? or, should I say, edumakashun? Geez, if I had some scotch I could stay here all night correcting your posts. But sleep is so much better for me.
And no, not a teacher. But yes, educated by Nashua's finest before going to college. And you can't figure out why you are "underemployed"? Do you ever have to write for work? Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner. Still like picking on teachers?
Gotta question for you Mikey boy, Why is it that liberal elitests have to start putting down people when they run into an opinion that is not the same as theirs? I think education is very important(went to parociol school)
I and many others just don't share the same priorities as you do. So if I don't wat to spend a large chunk of my money on what you say is important :then I am wrong. Many people feel as I do...when you and others are confronted with this you start to use the holier than thou attitide. You put down our values and tell use how bad our spelling is. I will admit my spelling isn't always the best. But for the sake of conversation you andParent of 2,A Teacher, Mike M, use these as reasons to say I have no value in the conversation. Calling me a troll....I see you and many others here just as often as me....but you disagree with me so I must be a troll. At least my name is verified(not that makes me better). You can't even do that Why is that Mikey? I have never said you need a job...I may have said things you didn't like but never called you unemployed becase of how often I see you here. Why don't you get a life......I have one. how long does it take to post something? thats how long I spend here.
Just wait...my opinion is more prevelent than you think....The BOA and the Mayor think the same....you can't get blood from a stone.
Thanks Mike, you made me laugh!
Just because *so what* doesnt share your beliefs doesnt make him/her wrong.
Earlier posts made by "parent of 2" seemed to be in line with what I was thinking.
However, I see that you have gotten sucked into the slime with the rest of them.
1 day ago Nashuatelegraph.com: Raises cut in altered teachers contract Nashua Telegraph
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Andrea And you are all about posting your own name. Just because *so what* doesnt share your beliefs doesnt make him/her wrong.
1 day ago Nashuatelegraph.com: Union gives officials OK to start job action Nashua Telegraph Parent of 2 Andrea...bite me...what are you doing? Seeking me out? This is the 2nd post from you to me. Apparently "trolling" is your new habit as well.
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The only "name calling" that I see is when you accused me of "trolling".
You do not appear to have anything useful to add to the comments RELATIVE to the story printed.
Don't use me as your excuse for posting tasteless comments and replies to people that you disagree with.
All too often on these boards I find people attacking other people for comments that weren't even directed at them, and usually the people that are being attacked are defending themselves from something someone else commented to them on, and those attackers don't know the full story of what happened, either on a different board or about the previous comments on the same bored, because as I am finding, people don't bother to read things in full.What exactly did you think you were doing when you responded to a comment that I made to someone else when I was just defending myself? Do you think you were being any different, than what you claim I am being? What exactly are you doing?
I'm finished stooping down. If you want to seek me out and attack me, go right ahead, it makes you no better than anyone else that does the same thing. I will however, continue to support the teachers of this community, as I stated before they are a great influence over my kid's learning and attitude toward school.....sleep tight!
So for $330 a month, the teachers are willing to stirke, losing their pay, and when they finally realize the full value of the health insurance they lose - losing $1,200/month just for their medical coverage (not counting dental or vision)?
Doesn't sound like that makes any more sense.
I'd rather see the teachers get the raises, though - and retroactively as well - by doing MEANINGFULL healthcare concessions. They have to become stakeholders in the drive to control healthcare costs. The city needs to offer incentives to keep the unmanageable costs down.
What the hell are you trying to get across? If i used the logic that you preach , i can guarantee you i would not be sitting at this key board today.
The thing that is missing in the post is exactly the same thing missing in the Teachers negotiations , the teachers Union , Aldermen and School Board and you lack good old fashion commonsense .
Commonsense tells me that 2 groups ,the school board and union can bargain a contract and at the end pass it on to the alderman to finalize the deal with a thumbs up or a thumbs down . This can never happen . All three have to sit at the same table together and come up with the best they have to offer.
If the best isn't good enough for all the teachers than the ones who want to go to the other district have that right . That right isn't given to you not as part of the contract , it is give to all by the Constitution of this great nation . AMEN
I can tell you first hand why I DIDN'T become a teacher. It is the most unappreciated profession. I remember hearing the stories of the parents and the administration. In my own profession, I have headaches and office politics, and I have things I dislike, but none can compare to the stories from around the dinner table growing up.
Before you are so quick to judge about your lack of raises in the private sector, or your healthcare costs, or your fifty plus hour work week, remember YOU DID NOT CHOOSE TO BECOME AN EDUCATOR...Only heroes, only leaders, and only the most humble of sorts choose this profession.
To ask for a 2.75 percent raise does not even meet the COLA increase for 2007. I am certain in your "private profession" you were given that, and the increase was not based on merit. So don't talk about greed or entitlement. It is barely $100 a month for most teachers.
I'm waiting to see if there is any truth to the "sick out" will happen. Apparently one has been planned for Thursday or Friday. that will be a very mature thing to do. Nothing like watching children throw temper tantrums to get what they want.
If teachers want more money, take your master's in education and go get a job that your degree would make a difference in.
If you remember correctly, this is not the first time all the teachers suddenly got ill.
No one voted on the contract it was so unamouis in the feeling that your entiltlements are being taken away you all just moved on to the "job actions" vote...just curious but was that voted on or was it just seen as the only course of action?
You are in an arena of anonymity. Why would you waste the finger strength.
Taxpayer vs. Teacher on this online board can only lead to bitter exchanges.
2) Pink slip all of them; then give those who appreciate what they have until Memorial Day to say "yes" or "no" they want to be re-hired. Hire those that say "yes". Then blacklist all the rest for hiring in the '08-'09 school year. Then hire everyone else needed. Make sure contract s say all who are hired must stay for the full school year or they'll give back the District 50% of what they were paid. (Yes, definitely make exceptions for things like relo's due to spouse job relo's or family illnesses, etc.). I'm sure the blacklisted ones will find jobs in much greener pastures -- but in case they don't, or the pastures are mud, they can be considered for any '09-'10 openings. That's a fair deal for everyone -- teachers and taxpayers.
Today I made phone calls asking for letters of recommendation. Today is a very sad day for me, as this is my dream job. I spend every moment of the day working in a diverse city school with the most amazing kids. So why would I leave? Because the teacher bashing in this city has made my mentors and experienced teachers bitter and angry. Because I feel like the city of Nashua deems me as replaceable, useless, and unworthy of respect (not the same as pay). I'm not here for the money.
I grew up on free lunch and my parents never graduated from high school. I am who I am today because of education and I value it above everything else. Education gives people the power to change their lives. Somewhere along the way...EVERYONE in this city has last sight of that.
Instead of being about investing in education and giving Nashua the power to select the best teachers by offering competitive salaries, people cloud the issues by deeming teachers unworthy of raises. Who are these nameless, faceless, terrible teachers who don't deserve a raise? I don't see them when I go to work every day.
However, I do believe that the amended contract offers teachers a fair deal. One that they refuse to look at. Teacher bashing?
If you consider the words of persons posting anonymously to an online publication "teacher bashing", you need to thicken up your skin.
As far as the contract goes, sure the numbers on the top and the bottom look impressive. And I agree that health care and concessions need to be a part of the picture. But any way you look at it from the teachers' point of view, it isn't a good contract for us now, and in my opinion would lead the city to try and take even more advantage in the future.
As for having plenty of people who want to come and teach in Nashua, I believe that even if the contract is to pass in any form even close to what it is right now, Nashua will still have problems attracting quality, certified people, due in large part to the "teacher bashing" that continues to take place.
And for my two cents, any teacher who reads the posts (commenting or not) and goes back into the classroom the next day with a smile and a plan has skin more than thick enough to deal with the likes of people who want them gone. Although it surely would be nice to deal with simple opinions and facts, and not name calling, insults, and yes, teacher (and perhaps even taxpayer) bashing.
This is what a "Teacher" who posts here believes.
NTU has gotten to this one. Convinced the City of Nashua puts garbage before teachers.
What about the NTU or BOE? Did they submit a contract without 1st year raises?
Teachers do deserve fair wages and a good healthcare package; One that the City can afford.
There is an entire City of concerns, education is just one of them. To turn over the entire pie to one
group would be *distressful*.
Teachers claiming harrassment and name-calling are probably referring to what is written in this new comment area of the telegraph. Does this really count? Not much of anything written in these pages even hits the point of the corresponding article.
These pages should not be the indicator of how much these teachers are appreciated.
As far as Mr. Teeboom is concerned, even though his main focus is cutting costs, he, not the NTU, came up with the idea of cutting health care costs such that paraprofessionals (NTU members) could cover their family’s health care for less than their gross pay. However, the NTU was ok with having unaffordable premiums and the status quo. 80% employee share was ok for some members, while 10% is too high for others. Hmmm. Guess it’s not only teachers who get the shaft, but at least it’s being addressed by their union.
Perhaps a teacher can confirm?
The previous city negotiators are to blame for the high cost of the teachers' contracts - which recently are being driven as much by spiraling health care costs as much as teacher pay raises.
Back in the day (circa 1999) $5,000 could buy you great healthcare coverage for a family, having the city pay for 95% of that cost probably didn't seem too bad. But now that cost is $1,500 A MONTH - $18,000 per year. So now the city is forking over $17,000 per year for those teachers with family coverage. That plan was the Cadillac of health plans - so much so that it made the Nashua funded plan the hands down go-to plan when dual-working spouses chose which of their health plans to use - further driving up the costs to the city since it was always the non Nashua city employee that would waive coverage. It's not the union's fault - they're taking advantage of a handout.Tell someone you'll pay 95% of any car they buy and most would buy the Cadillac. Then tell them you'll only pay 90% on the next car - and they will complain. That's what we have now.
It also set a bad precedent. Now the union thinks that having to contribute 10% is a big concession (but they are only willing to do it in steps), along with having to pay more than $5 for office visit copay or a 90 day supply of brand name drugs. There is no incentive for the employee to cut costs because of the very low contribution level under even the proposed contract.
Employees of most any company would LOVE to have the new "concession" level. Employers elsewhere have taken the stand that employees must SHARE in these heath care cost increases in a meaningful way. These employers also use a carrot and stick approach, providing incentives to choose the most efficient plan, and providing CASH for waiving insurance, or using below some benefit level. Not doing it for this contract will cause problems down the road.
Specify a fixed dollar amount of benefits for the base year of the new contract. Cost share any health care increases 50/50 with the employees. What you will see is that instead of insisting on only "Cadillac" plans, employees will choose wisely from a wide range of plans (including HSAs), saving themselves and the city on healthcare dollars.
The future savings from having the employee consider what insurance he should buy and pay for in a meaningful way (or get cash if saving the city money) should be more than enough to fund any retroactive pay for teachers. It could be structured so that the teachers who don't opt for the family plan do not see any net loss in salary + benefits or perhaps the savings is enough to see the ENTIRE pay raise as a net.