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Solidarity - November 15, 1999

Volume 33, No. 13
We teach the children ... Collectively we decide ... United we act

CELEBRATE AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK

This is the week that people across America celebrate the many accomplishments by dedicated educators as they mold the students who are our country's future. Recognition of the educators who have made the education of Madison's children the best in the United States should be foremost on the minds of Madisonians. Two who said it well:

"The dream begins, most of the time, with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you on to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called truth." -Dan Rather

"I like to think that the greatest success of any life is that moment when a teacher touches a child's heart and it is never again the same .... Everything America is or ever hopes to be depends upon what happens in our schools' classrooms."-

Frosty Troy, editor, Oklahoma Observer

HEALTH INSURANCE TO REMAIN INSURED BY WPS; PREMIUM FOR 2000 SET

MTI and the District have agreed to set aside plans to create their own "health insurance trust" (under which the School District would have actually became the insurer) and have agreed to continue the same fully insured (indemnity) plan with WPS which has existed since 1974, and as amended by MTI negotiated benefit improvements.

MTI and the District had agreed, during bargaining for the 1999-2001 Teacher Collective Bargaining Agreement, to create the "trust/self insurance plan" to go into effect January 1, 2000, to continue the same benefits, and to be administered by WPS.

Superintendent Art Rainwater and Executive Director John Matthews met with representatives of WPS on November 3 to discuss the continuance of the fully insured plan. A fully insured plan removes all liability for the District. Under the terms of the agreement, premiums will be limited to an increase of 6% and the District will continue to assume 90% of the total premium.

REFERENDA APPROVED: THE BENEFIT OF GOOD LABOR RELATIONS

Many thanks to MTI members who worked to inform voters of the needs of the District and the benefit to Madison schools and its students of voting for the three referenda on last week's ballot. Passage of the referenda, the likes of which are experienced in few communities, can easily be traced to the shift by the District to positive labor relations and with that the recognition by the Superintendent and the Board of Education of the value of their employees.

Such community support was not possible even two years ago, given the stress on staff and the community caused by former Superintendent Wilhoyte, whose stated mission was to break MTI. Other than Wilhoyte's departure and a change in the leadership of the Board of Education, the cast of characters is the same. John Matthews remains Executive Director of MTI; Nancy Harper, Nancy Mistele and Tom Ragatz remain as the District's nay-sayers.

What changed? Art Rainwater became Superintendent and extended his hand to Matthews and MTI, pledging to work with the Union on issues that the parties have in common. Working together, Rainwater and Matthews paved the way for settlement of 1999 teacher negotiations and the numerous other issues which develop between a Union of strong advocacy representing 4200 employees and their employer. Last Monday, Art Rainwater, his assistant Mary Gulbrandsen and several administrators worked MTI's phone bank to get the vote out on Tuesday. Board President Carol Carstensen worked with MTI staff on the project, spending much of Monday at MTI Headquarters.

MTI President Paula Ferrara-Parrish likened the passage of the referenda to an old fashioned barn raising, where the community comes together for a common purpose. Much can be accomplished when an employer respects its employees and works with them and their Union.

MTI's efforts were coordinated by Jeff Knight and Doug Keillor. UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS

SEE-MTI ELECTION SCHEDULED

At the November 10 SEE-MTI Board of Directors meeting, nominations were finalized for officers, unit representatives and negotiation team members. Balloting by members of MTI's clerical/technical bargaining unit will commence December 6. Those elected will assume office effective January 1, 2000. Officers serve a one-year term, and unit representatives and negotiation team members serve two-year terms. (* = incumbents). Those nominated are:

Officers:President - Marilyn Irvine* (Accounting/Payroll) and John Doris (Media Services); Vice-President/Schools - Andrea Hotchkiss* (Mendota); Vice-President/Admin - John Doris* (Media Services); and Secretary - Judy Riddle* (Elvehjem).

Unit Representatives: Central Admin (2 positions) - Theresa Kempfer* (DSE) and Viola Hosking* (Accounting/Payroll ); and High School - Marianne Pogue* (East).

Negotiation Team: High School - Lynn Rodefeld* (LaFollette); and Central Admin (2 positions) - Janet Leamy* (Accounting/Payroll), John Doris* (Media Services), and Terri Grannis (Equity/Diversity).

WISCONSIN VISION UPDATE

Recently, an MTI member was asked to sign a "Patient Responsibility Form" stating that she would be responsible for any balance due after WPS Insurance had paid their portion of her bill. Wisely, she contacted MTI immediately and the problem was rapidly rectified by MTI staff working with Wisconsin Vision. Wisconsin Vision will no longer request MTI members to sign such an agreement. Although it is important to note that many of the services provided by Wisconsin Vision may not be covered under the WPS policy, this is a reminder that MTI's policy with WPS holds those insured harmless in such matters, provided one did not sign an agreement form that one would be responsible.

Free Eye Exam and Glasses Provided By Wisconsin Vision- Wisconsin Vision, whose workers are represented by UFCW Local 1444, has become a recent participant in an AFL-CIO Community Services Program, that provides a free eye exam and glasses to economically disadvantaged persons. MTI members may initiate referrals through MTI. For example, if a child is having problems in the classroom and the teacher suspects it is related to vision problems, and the family is unable to provide the necessary care; or if a teacher sees a child break his or her glasses on the playground and is aware that it would be an undue hardship for the family to replace them, the teacher could initiate a referral. If you have any questions on this program, please contact Eve Degen at MTI.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE DEADLINES

Pursuant to Section VI-B (Leaves of Absences) of MTI's "Teacher" Collective Bargaining Agreement, all non-medical leaves except academic, adoption and child rearing leaves, must be for a minimum of one full school year and must commence at the beginning of the first semester. Academic or child rearing leaves must be for a minimum of one semester. Leaves, and leave extensions, are granted to teachers as follows:

Initial Request: One semester (academic or child rearing). Extension: One extension will be allowed for the semester following the semester of the initial leave, unless the initial request is for the second semester or the school year, then the extension must be for the entire school year.

Initial Request: One full school year. Extension: One extension consisting of the following school year.

Requests for an academic or child rearing leave of absence for the second semester of the 1999-2000 school year are due by DECEMBER 1, 1999.

Leave requests for a leave of absence for the first semester of the 2000-2001 school year, the full school year, or to extend a leave of absence, must be made in writing through the principal/supervisor to Human Resources by MAY 1, 2000.

Given that one remains represented by MTI and has benefits available while on leave, partial dues for the period one is on leave can be paid either during the leave or upon return.

"FOSSE"

Join your MTI colleagues for an entertaining trip to Chicago on November 20 by going to the Ford Center for the Performing Arts to the musical about the life and work of Bob Fosse, a theater director and choreographer. The production has been a thrilling experience for thousands. Fosse's work includes such musicals as Sweet Charity, Chicago, and Cabaret. The cost is $75.00 (ticket and bus). Call today for reservations and send your checks to MTI.

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Posted November 16, 1999