bea87.org

Update Sunday, May 31, 2009

President Swanson updates IEA members regarding the latest developments from this Legislative Session, including a call to action in support of HB 174.

Update from Springfield: May 29, 2009

President Swanson provides the most recent update from Springfield:

Update from Springfield: May 27, 2009

Watch and listen as IEA President Ken Swanson updates members on Statehouse matters.

Two Weeks and Counting …

This is a repost from the IEA website (http://www.ieanea.org/page319703931.aspx)

IEA MEMBER “TO DO” LIST

1) Circle May 29th May 31st, the General Assembly’s adjournment date, on the calendar.
By midnight on May 31st, it is expected the legislature will make key decisions that will affect IEA members, including whether to offer future members inferior benefits.

2) Go to the IEA Website and click on “My IEA Profile” and make sure your Association has the proper information on you, including the email address you check most often.
There could be a last moment “call to action” in which members are asked to contact their senators and representatives.  In that case, you would receive an email with an alert and talking points.

3) Circle May 23 and 24 on your calendar. On those days, your local legislators will be in their home districts participating in Memorial Day public events in your community.  They might also have home district office hours.  Call their offices, find out where they will be on Saturday and Sunday. Get a group of your colleagues together and plan to meet with your legislators to talk to them about your issues and how you expect them to vote.

Specifically, tell them to:

• Oppose any proposal that would reduce benefits for future education employees.  Education employees didn’t cause the problem and the current benefits are reasonable and comparable to those in other states.
• Oppose any proposal to under fund the state pension systems.
• Support an income tax increase that will provide adequate funding to all public schools at all levels, preK through higher education.

4)  Make a mental note to keep checking the IEA Website.
It will be updated regularly as new developments occur.

The following video contains an important message from IEA President Ken Swanson and Interim Executive Director Patti Hodges, recorded May 16, 2009.

Lobby Day: May 6, 2009!

Contract: 2008-2011

The contract covering 2008-09 through 2010-11 is available here as a PDF for download.

You can also browse the contract online by visiting our Contract pages.

Retroactive Pay

Many of you may be asking “when can I expect my retroactive pay?” …

The answer from the District is: “We are trying very hard to pay that on the next, 11/26/08, paycheck”

We’ll keep you posted.

BEA Ratifies new Collective Bargaining Agreement

Tonight, members of the Bloomington Education Association overwhelmingly voted to approve a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with District 87.  Details of the agreement will be released pending ratification by the Board of Education.

Tentative Agreement Reached

The bargaining teams from BEA and Distrct 87 reached a tentative agreement today.  Details will not be released to the public until BEA membership and the Board have each had the opportunity to ratify the contract.  Members should be looking for more information from building reps soon.  Copies of the agreement will be available for review at the IEA office starting next week and prior to the ratificaton meeting, which is currently being scheduled.