Teacher claims: Many teachers will be paying a higher percentage of the cost of health benefits than the Federal or private sector pays.
The amount the teachers pay for their health benefits is now a state mandated issue. I paid more than $1000 more for my health benefits this year. The amount I pay will increase by over $2000 over the next three years. By the time all increases are phased in some teachers will be paying almost $7000 more than they were last year. Many teachers will be paying a higher percentage of the cost of health benefits than the Federal or private sector pays.
In addition to this teachers will be paying an extra 2 percent of their salary to fund a pension that the state government has stolen from, and continues to fail to pay their AGREED contribution towards. The pension is underfunded because of the money that was taken from it. The money that was used to finance property tax rebate checks came from the pension fund. The money to cover the cost of an income tax cut for the wealthy will come from money that should have been paid into the pension fund.
Teachers realize that things are tough financially, but please don't say that teachers aren't feeling the pinch too. It may have started later than for other people, but teachers are feeling it now. Even IF teachers were to get the maximum allowable 2%, they would still be taking home less money every year.
The reality for teachers is that even after they have paid increasing amounts to their benefits, they will be limited to no more than a 2% increase in salary for ever (unless the law is changed). Last year inflation ran at around 3%. This means that teachers face a real decrease in their salary every year for the rest of their careers.
After the glut of teachers from recent layoffs has been used up, and other job paths make a comeback, where are the new teachers going to come from? Are the best and brightest going to enter a profession where they are never going to see a pay increase, and are treated with disrespect.
At this point the chorus of comments about "whiny teachers" should begin. I am not whining, I love my job, and that is why I do it. I also feel the need to clarify the changes that are already occurring for teachers. Please don't parrot the "do it for the kids" line. I work hard at my job for the kids. I also want to support MY kids. Like any parent, I want the best for them too.
