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Solidarity - November 29, 1999

Volume 33, No. 15
We teach the children ... Collectively we decide ... United we act

RETIREMENT BENEFITS IMPROVED

MTI bargained significant improvements in early retirement (TEERP), regular retirement, and the Retirement Insurance Account (RIA) during negotiations over the terms and conditions of the 1999-2001 Collective Bargaining Agreement. These gains will yield those represented by MTI, in its teacher collective bargaining unit, thousands of dollars in additional benefits.

TEERP: Previously, teachers retiring between age 55 and 59 received a greater early retirement benefit than those retiring at age 60 and 61. Teachers retiring at age 62 and beyond previously qualified for no early retirement benefit. NOW,all eligible teachers, regardless of age, will receive an early retirement benefit of 1.584% of their highest salary for either 36 months or until they are eligible for unreduced social security benefits (age 65 if born in 1937 or before 1937). For those retiring at age 60 and beyond, the new agreement could result in additional retirement benefits of over $30,000.

RIA: Even more significant than the changes in TEERP are the changes negotiated regarding the calculation of benefits from one's Retirement Insurance Account (RIA) at retirement. Previously, a teacher could accumulate a maximum of 120 days in their RIA for which they received 75% of said amount to pay for post-retirement insurance coverage. UNDER MTI'S NEW AGREEMENT, teachers can accumulate up to 140 days in their RIA for which they will receive 90% of said amount to pay for post retirement insurance coverage.

Previously, teachers who did not have the 120 day maximum in their RIA at retirement were able to transfer 25% of their accumulated sick days into their RIA. UNDER MTI'S NEW AGREEMENT, teachers will be able to transfer 100% of their accumulated sick days into their RIA (up to the 140 day max) at the time of retirement. These negotiated improvements in the RIA calculation have resulted in increased values in teachers RIA's of up to $20,000. This can add several additional years of paid insurance coverage.

Also newly negotiated is the ability of one who does not participate in any contractually provided insurances to receive up to 90% of the RIA formula described above as a cash benefit of up to $400 per month.

Another important new benefit is the right of one who retires to switch their health insurance to coverage under a working spouse, until the spouse retires, and then return to the MTI health insurance coverage.

Anyone contemplating retirement should contact MTI for a review of how these benefits will benefit him/her and to review their retirement options.

NO TO PEER REVIEW/EVALUATION

Last year, the MTI Faculty Representative Council, MTI's policymaking body, took a firm position against peer review. The Council voted unanimously, stating that any review or evaluation by teachers of teachers is wrong and should not take place.

Under Wisconsin law, when one evaluates or "effectively recommends" as regards hiring, firing or evaluation, they lose their eligibility to remain in a bargaining unit. It is for this reason and the negative impact peer review has on the essential ingredient of collegiality in education that MTI strongly opposes it.

Peer review/evaluation would have a chilling effect on teachers working together, sharing information or teaching materials; all essential to a quality education program.

ERRATA: JANUARY 1 PAY DATE

Contrary to last weeks Solidarity article, teachers do not have the option this year of having their January checks mailed to them. The 1999-2001 Teacher Collective Bargaining Agreement provides that when the first Automated Clearinghouse (ACH) day fell on the first work day after break, that teachers would not have the option of having their checks mailed. This year, January 3rd is both the first ACH day (i.e. the day checks will be electronically deposited for those selecting this option) and the first work day after break.

Therefore, for January, 2000, teachers have the choice of receiving their January check at school on January 3rd, or having the check electronically deposited in their account on January 3rd. Teachers who wish to have their paychecks electronically deposited should contact the Payroll Department with this request.

WILHOYTE RETURNS TO MARYLAND

Former Superintendent Cheryl Wilhoyte has reportedly returned to employment with the Montgomery County Maryland Schools. Her new employment is as an assistant superintendentcharged with developing a plan to improve minority student achievement. The Superintendent sent her back to the drawing board after her first attempt was solidly rejected by the principals' union, according to information provided to MTI.

This takes Wilhoyte full circle. She came to Madison six years ago from Anne Arundel County, Maryland, having moved there from Montgomery County. Her husband is also employed by Montgomery County Schools.

LIFE INSURANCE BENEFICIARIES

MTI members who participate in MTI contractually provided life insurance should remember to keep your beneficiaries up-to-date. The beneficiary is the person or persons you designate to receive your life insurance proceeds, in the event of your death.

Usually, one designates a number of beneficiaries and the proceeds from their life insurance are divided equally among those individuals. One can indicate otherwise and specify a different percentage or amount to specific individuals. For instance, if one names his/her spouse as beneficiary and he or she dies before the insured and the insured has not named a new beneficiary, his/her life insurance benefits are paid to the children. If one has no children, the benefits are paid to his/her parents. If one's parents are deceased, the benefits go to siblings, and so on. Remember that if your spouse is designated as your beneficiary and you get divorced, your ex-spouse will receive the payment. These illustrations are presented to remind members of the need to keep their beneficiaries current.

Children under18 can be beneficiaries, but some special rules apply. The proceeds will be paid only to a court-appointed guardian of the child's estate or to a trust that has been established in the child's name. A guardian must be someone designated by the courts to oversee the child's finances. The guardian is not the same as someone who just has custody of the child. If there is no court- appointed guardian or trust, the proceeds may be held in an interest-bearing account until the child turns 18.

CELL PHONE UPDATE - PRIMECO

Please be advised that the information recently distributed about discount cell phone packages available to MTI members should have included that PrimeCo requires a one year contract. The contract can be modified by the individual during the year.

HELP THOSE WHO HELPED US

In its many difficult negotiations with the Madison Metropolitan School District, MTI has received extensive support from our brothers and sisters who are represented by other unions. One such Union now needs our help.

ROCK-TENN, a paper and package manufacturer located at 4201 Lien Road (near East Towne) is attempting to force the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union AFL-CIO (PACE) to return to the bad old days of 12 hour work days. Let's show MTI's support that labor won't give up such benefits as the 8 hour work day, which is so critical to the health of the worker and the well-being of the family unit.

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Posted December 7, 1999