The Insurance Committee met Wednesday, July 16 to review the prospective contracts for the 2003-2004 health insurance. The MTA members of the committee, Pat Bayha (MHS), Pat Tonelli (BGE) and Brenda Wade (MAI) have reviewed the 356 surveys turned in by members.

Because of the massive increases in both Blue Cross and Kaiser the committee is looking at program modifications. Final decisions on the insurance plans will be made by the committee Wednesday, August 20. Bargaining Unit members will have the opportunity to change health insurance carriers during the September open enrollment period.

Teachers Have the Final Word on Grades

The California Education Code protects teachers’ rights to grade students.
When grades are given for any course of instruction taught in a school district, the grade given to each pupil shall be the grade determined by the teacher of the course and the determination of the pupils grade by the teacher, in the absence of clerical or mechanical mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetency, shall be final.
§ 49066
If a parent, student, or administrator challenges a grade the teacher has the right to defend the grade. An Association representative should always be present at such a challenge.

If You Keep Personal Property At School
Complete the District Personnel
Authorization Form

The Contract provides for reimbursement for personal equipment at school under the following conditions:

The maximum claim is $250
The employee completed the District Personnel Equipment Authorization Form.
Ask your site secretary for the form. Complete it for every personal computer, VCR, CD player, and other equipment you have brought from home. For more information See Article XVII Safety, Security, and General Working Conditions Section F.2.b. p.51.

What can be Done to Fix the GPO and WEP
(Social Security Offset)?

The Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduces public employees’ Social Security spousal or survivor benefits by two-thirds of their public pension. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) reduces the earned Social Security benefit of an individual who also receives a public pension from a job not covered by Social Security. These federal laws financially damage thousands of retired California teachers each year.

Congress must pass legislation to repeal the GPO and WEP. Representatives McKeon (R-CA) and Berman (D-CA) have re-introduced the Social Security Fairness Act in The House (H.R. 594, cosponsor list).Senators Feinstein (D-CA) and Collins (R-ME) have introduced identical legislation in The Senate (S.349, cosponsor list).The bill would take away the offsets for everyone impacted, including those who have already retired. But, benefits already lost would not be paid retroactively.
Comparable legislation should be introduced soon in The Senate..
To see how you can help encourage Congress to pass this legislation, click on the "What Can I do" on the side menu.