Posted on 02/21/2011 11:29:17 AM PST by sbMKE
Here are a few simple, startling facts for anyone concerned about the financial condition of Wisconsin public schools:
WEA Trust, an insurance company established and closely associated with the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), siphons millions of crucial dollars from K-12 schools and their students every year.
WEA Trust has grown very fat on public school dollars, with a net worth of $316 million and a team of 12 administrators all receiving compensation packages worth six figures per year.
Sadly, this insurance swindle is endorsed by state law. We at Education Action Group believe its time for the citizens of Wisconsin to demand that their school boards be allowed to freely shop for less expensive employee health insurance.
Thats particularly important in the current economic environment, when schools have been forced to lay off teachers, curtail student programs, privatize services and, in some districts, seek permission from voters to exceed their local revenue caps.
The problem is state law, which makes the identity of a school districts employee health insurance carrier a topic of collective bargaining. That means school boards and local school employee unions must agree on the insurance company that will provide health coverage.
So most unions have traditionally come to the negotiating table demanding expensive WEA Trust insurance coverage, and the strategy has been effective. About 64 percent of Wisconsins 426 districts carry WEA Trust insurance, despite its prohibitive costs.
Why do union employees demand WEA Trust coverage?
WEA Trust offers what is commonly known as the Cadillac of school employee health coverage. It earned that moniker for two very good reasons - the health coverage is very thorough, and the cost to local school districts is very high.
WEAC pressures its local union officials to stick with WEA Trust. One district administrator told us about a meeting where everyone present, including union employees, agreed that a non-WEA health plan would be better for the district. He said state WEAC representatives were present and argued in favor of WEA Trust, just because its the unions insurance brand.
The sad fact is that collective bargaining is a way that the Teacher's Union is stealing taxpayer dollars by mandating a high-cost health plan that is owned by the union. Premiums far exceed market norms.
Windfall profits anyone?
That's not cool................
And the new GOP majority can change state law.
Have at it!
WHat is taking so long?
Have they banned public sector unions yet??
“Collective bargaining” is a pretty way to say “blackmail”.
It’s a protection racket. We’ll keep the teachers on the job if you buy our special healthcare plan.
Thanks for posting this incestuous relations ship between the Cadillac Health Care provider for the teachers and the union thugs.
“WEA Trust has grown very fat on public school dollars, with a net worth of $316 million and a team of 12 administrators all receiving compensation packages worth six figures per year.
Sadly, this insurance swindle is endorsed by state law. We at Education Action Group believe its time for the citizens of Wisconsin to demand that their school boards be allowed to freely shop for less expensive employee health insurance.
Thats particularly important in the current economic environment, when schools have been forced to lay off teachers, curtail student programs, privatize services and, in some districts, seek permission from voters to exceed their local revenue caps.
The problem is state law, which makes the identity of a school districts employee health insurance carrier a topic of collective bargaining. That means school boards and local school employee unions must agree on the insurance company that will provide health coverage.
So most unions have traditionally come to the negotiating table demanding expensive WEA Trust insurance coverage, and the strategy has been effective. About 64 percent of Wisconsins 426 districts carry WEA Trust insurance, despite its prohibitive costs.
Why do union employees demand WEA Trust coverage?
WEA Trust offers what is commonly known as the Cadillac of school employee health coverage. It earned that moniker for two very good reasons - the health coverage is very thorough, and the cost to local school districts is very high.”
This is just another example of how tax payers are $crewed by teachers, their unions and union thugs for the “children”!
An “I’m appalled” bump
p i n g
Furthermore, as I learned on Rush over the noon hour, the head of AFSCME (the public sector union) makes $450,000 per year. I wonder if members of his union know that?
I strongly resent the fact that my tax dollars pay school personnel to collect dues fot the union. Also, these personnel use computers bought with my tax dollars to transfer dues to the union. Teachers should have to send in their checks every month for their union dues.
fot = for
ditto!
Put a hold on all thier assets!
We want our money back!
Progressive is run by the biggest liberals.
I encourage all conservatives to move their insurance from there to just about anywhere else.
Excellent post. Thanks for the information.
It’s not unusual. Michigan Education Association has something similar - MESSA:
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/11/saugatuck_teachers_first_in_ar.html
bmk
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