Posted on 09/29/2004 6:47:20 AM PDT by Republican Wildcat
LOUISVILLE - The green grass of Waterfront Park's great lawn turned
into a sea of protesters as state and union workers joined thousands of school workers in their fight against Gov. Ernie Fletcher's proposed healthcare plan.
"Take a note, I vote."
"Ernie Fletcher, Dr. Man, threw our healthcare in the can."
"Hey, hey, ho, ho, Fletcher's plan has got to go."
The chants and catchy rhymes of protesters began Monday's day of protest and reinforced the non-budging stance that school staffers and a
handful of other state workers and unions have taken against the governor.
Fletcher's proposed healthcare benefits plan for state employees doesn't get approval from those it applies to.
"It's about what's right and what's wrong," shouted civil rights
activist Louis Coleman. "You are right on target."
Coleman said he recently called Bullitt County schools to let
workers know that they had support in their efforts to secure a more
affordable healthcare benefits plan.
There are many teachers and school workers in Bullitt County that
could suffer from the increased cost of premiums and percentage co-pays
that Fletcher has proposed.
Bullitt Lick Middle School Teacher Michelle Seigal spoke to
thousands from a center stage and told a huge crowd her own sad story.
Seigal, who's been a teacher for four years, has a son with multiple
health problems and said it's been tough enough, already, to pay for
healthcare for her son and couldn't afford to teach in Kentucky if
healthcare benefits were cut.
"The new plan limits us to 30 hours of therapy annually," Siegal
said. "That's only 10 weeks."
Siegal said she decided, previously, to complete her masters in
order to earn more money, and make living as a teacher possible.
But her career efforts won't help her and her son any under Fletcher
and his plan, she said.
"In reality, I'll pay more now for healthcare... And this year will
be harder than the last," Siegal said.
As she pointed to Indiana, Siegal questioned whether she should work
"somewhere else."
And a roar of support followed.
Siegal said she'd be much better off not working, than to continue
her career as an accomplished teacher in Kentucky.
"What kind of government makes it more appealing to sit at home than
to go to work?" Seigal questioned.
Another roar of support from the crowd of protestors followed.
Seigal was joined by Bullitt County Educator's Association's
president Brenda Hutchinson in speaking to the crowd.
"This rally isn't just about healthcare and October 27 won't be
either," Hutchinson said. "This day is about the anger... and
humiliation..."
Hutchinson said state employees had heard enough talk and were tired
of waiting for reasonable healthcare and pay.
"This mess was just the last straw," Hutchinson said.
Hutchinson alluded to a strike planned for October 27.
The strike now exists as an ultimatum to Fletcher and state
legislators who will soon meet in a special session to address the
healthcare issue for state workers.
"We won't sacrifice the welfare of our children to take care of
others," Hutchinson concluded.
Bullitt County resident Joe Wells, who works for Jefferson County
Schools, thanked one man and one organization for sparking the fight
against Fletcher's plan.
"If it wasn't for Brent McKim and JCTA we'd still be at home
worrying about this," Wells said.
Applause followed.
"We can't let the governor get away with this."
Jefferson County Teachers Association was the first group in the
state to call for a strike and their frontman, McKim, has been speaking
out against Fletcher's plan since it was announced in early September.
McKim tossed some fueling figures to the crowd of protestors.
He said that, in Indiana, a family plan was costing an average of
$58 dollars per month.
"That's about one-tenth of the cost here," McKim said.
He said Kentucky government's contribution to state employee
insurance was 49th in the country and that state workers in Kentucky
were paying twice the national average for healthcare in the private sector.
"And we pay three times the national average as others in the public
sector," McKim said.
"We love Kentucky. We love working in Kentucky schools," McKim said.
"But don't drive us out of the state and out of our profession."
McKim, too, pointed to Indiana as an alternative to working in
Kentucky schools.
And the crowd cheered in support.
All of the speakers from Monday's protest said that they didn't want
to strike, but none of them said they would hesitate if Fletcher and
state legislators didn't improve their benefits package for the upcoming
year.
"This isn't just a teachers' issue," said Lebanon Junction resident
and union millwright Scott Metcalf. "This is a national crisis."
activist Louis Coleman. "You are right on target."
Now there's a real spark of credibility for their cause.
"Take a note, I vote."
Yes, be a good little lemming and vote the way the KEA says (and please don't do any independent research outside the KEA talking points, lest you find out the people they are endorsing are the same people who caused this problem to begin with).
Bullitt County Educator's Association's
president Brenda Hutchinson in speaking to the crowd.
"This rally isn't just about healthcare and October 27 won't be
either," Hutchinson said. "This day is about the anger... and
humiliation..."
Amazing stupidity. These people are in charge of teaching our children?
Honorable teachers wanting out of this union madness:
Association of American Educators
bttt
bttt and thanks for the ping-a-ling....
I'm for private schooling/home schooling. At least there, I know the union won't get in the way, nor will the government!
Separation of church and state(public school)!
LOL government shouldn't even be providing guidelines or taxes for schooling, it's against the constitution!
Thanks for the update RW!
Thanks RPL!
bttt
After looking at the performance of these union troglodites I have complete understanding of why Kentucky ranks so low in education.
Apparently, he will do ANYTHING to humiliate Fletcher.
Long time teacher/Principal/current university prof says that unless KEA gets the wholehearted backing and support of the NEA, the strike won't happen.
Well...why wouldn't the NEA do it?
Isn't that the truth? It is quite frankly embarrassing.
They might, the prof is contacting all kinds of people to see what the NEA's position is.
Something else mentioned was that if the teacher's strike, their medical insurance will lapse because KEA doesn't have the funds to keep them paid. Wouldn't that only come into play if the strike goes on more than a month (paid a month ahead, I assume).
The prof seemed to count full support from the NEA as sending in other union types to also picket and cash to pay premiums. If this doesn't happen, she thinks KEA will chicken out.
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