WEA Trust's Evert Testifies on Health Insurance Bargaining Issue

Fred Evert, president of the WEA Trust Insurance Corporation, testifies during a June 16 hearing on Senate Bills 241 and 242. "High quality benefits help attract and retain teachers and staff," he said.

WEAC members attended a hearing Thursday (June 16, 2005) on Senate Bills 241 and 242, which would restrict school employees' collective bargaining rights by making health insurance providers a prohibited subject of bargaining. The hearing was part of WEAC's Great Schools Lobby Day in Madison.

Fred Evert, president of WEA Insurance Corporation, testified before a panel, which included, State Senators Jon Erpenbach and Dave Hansen, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Helene Nelson and State Representatives Jennifer Shilling and Mike Sheridan. NEA Director Bob Fullmer served as the moderator.

Evert said school employees use the bargaining process to adopt strategies to reduce health care costs. The opportunity for public employees to bargain for sufficient health care will bring more people to these professions, he said.

Teachers and support staff have sacrificed pay increases at the bargaining table in exchange for health insurance coverage for their families, WEAC President Stan Johnson said. “Great schools depend on great teachers and staff, and without fair compensation the best and brightest will pursue careers in other fields,” he said.

Representative Shilling emphasized the need for citizens to elect leaders who make education a priority. “If we can’t change minds, it is time to change faces,” she said.

Posted June 17, 2005