Governor vows no talks if teachers go on strike

The Courier-Journal | 9/20/2004 | Nancy C. Rodriguez

[Republican Wildcat]

Gov. Ernie Fletcher said yesterday that the Kentucky Education Association has "gone too far" by calling for an October strike unless the state improves the health-insurance plan for public school employees.

In a statement released yesterday afternoon, Fletcher urged the union to reconsider, and he said unless that happens, "it is inappropriate for me to negotiate in response to an illegal threat." -- The Courier-Journal

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[Republican Wildcat]

k-3. Okay, we agree on that.

Now do you care to discuss the article and the actions of the KEA?

[benson106]

you are correct with many of your assesments. Those are the problems that need to be fixed. Student and parent accountablity would be more beneficial than teacher accountablity.

We argee on a lot.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Now is that a rational and logical answer to my question? Why not try that one again- or are you trying to side step the issue.

Here- I will make it very easy for you: How much vacation do you get paid for?

[Americanwolf]

Can you cite me eveidence that is prove to work. Like department of education statistics etc?

[Republican Wildcat]

Well...from personal experience, the younger the students the more individual attention they may need for clarification on instructions on how to complete assignments. That trails off the older they get.

[Polyxene]

If I may ask, if you are a classroom teacher, why are you posting to FR in the middle of the day and not teaching?

[Area51]

Please tell me how to afford my premiums?



94 posted on 09/20/2004 11:55:04 AM PDT by benson106
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Well one would have to see the coverages and different policies you call "health Insurance". Perhaps you need to opt for less than the highest coverage for everything they offer.

Is it the top package BC/BS puts out in a family plan, with a 2 dollar perscription co-pay, emergency room/Free doctors office call/Long term disability coverage/Term Life Insurance. Along with Full Dental with 90/85/85 Dental, along with Full Optical that gives your whole family one pair of Glasses per year with a free annual exam etc?

Or are we talking bare bones., 5,000 dollar deductable type Hospitalization?

I have seen some of those 1,000 dollar a month "health insurance" basic policies unions want to claim is minimum needs. That most Americans would only dream of.

[benson106]

i said before, those at the state level of my union are a joke. i would love to leave my union because they have done nothing for me. But don't tell me that i don't deserve health care when I work 2 jobs to support my family. I am not looking for a free ride, but at least something possible would be nice.

I don't think i have once said on here that i should get more pay. I do work 9 month and get paid for 9 months. But don't attack me for wanting more for my family.

[Centurion2000]

Can you afford $920 a month for health insurance when my incredibly high salary is $38,000.

Get a better job.

[benson106]

I am contracted for 182 days for $38,000. I get that for my 9 months.

[John D]

No, no and no.

[Republican Wildcat]

I guess any effort of getting you to stay on topic and having any constructive dialogue is hopeless.

[Conspiracy Guy]

You only work nine months

[benson106]

If you are looking for stats on health care costs in minnesota i can't give them to you because in minnesota each district negotiates its own policy. In my district, those are my costs.

Now here is a real pickle that i am in here in minnesota, we are trying to get state wide health care for teachers in this state, but the repulicans blocked that effort. Now I really don't want to vote for the democrates, what should I do. If i vote democrate, then maybe i get health care, but if i vote republican i won't. My values are with the republicans. What do i do?

[CastleMan95]

I can see how in the early years it would be vital to catch those that fall through the cracks. But is reducing class size from say 25 to 10-15 going to be enough to truly help these kids? Im sure it will help some...but will it be enough. Even the best of teachers might not have that ability. Good teachers arent going to be miracle workers. If kids parents dont prepare them for school and education (showing them the importance of education, reading to them in their preschool years, feed them properly, etc...), most of those kids are not going to get much out of their education.

I just think parents have much more influence than teachers in this area. Without good parental influence, most kids will not do well in school. Anyway I will look into the studies of which you speak.

[Centurion2000]

My values are with the republicans. What do i do?

Move, get a better job than a teacher, retrain .... pick one.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Oh really? SO none of the teachers there in are in a union huh?

[A CA Guy]

Collective bargaining is OK, but the teachers union is like 20 steps beyond reality and almost needs to be disbanded to get anything done for the kids.

[reagandemo]

If you don't like your job pay or benefits GET A NEW JOB! Oh and how many jobs pay on average 45K a year and you only work 10 months? Sounds like a decent gig to me.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

$29.00 / hr with benefits, paid vacation and early departure is very good for an entry level position for a person with a Bachelors degree. Besides that, think of the amount of taxes you get to avoid paying at that pay level, for a low stress job and weekends free, AND with no overnight travel required.

I wouldn't complain if I were you.