Acton Teachers Protest Chapter 69 Outside the Town Hall Monday Night [VIDEO]
Here is a video of a few members from the Acton Education Association explaining why they do not agree with Chapter 69, a “Municipal Health Insurance Reform,” enacted by the Massachusetts State Legislature. Also, a video of Sen. Jamie Eldridge speaking.
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Editor's note: At Monday night's Board of Selectmen meeting, the board decided not to vote on Chapter 69 and extended the vote until its Nov. 21 meeting. Members said they wanted people to be more informed about Chapter 69.
Here is a timely press release from the Acton Education Association (AEA):
For the half hour prior to this evening’s Board of Selectmen meeting, beginning at 6:30, members of the Acton Education Association will be demonstrating outside Acton Town Hall over a planned attempt by the Board to make unnecessary unilateral changes to educators’ health insurance, on the heels of a contract settlement between the teachers union and the Acton School Committee.
At tonight’s Acton Board of Selectmen meeting, a vote will be taken on whether to take the unprecedented action of making changes to the health insurance benefits of the Town’s educators -- something that has always been the purview of the elected Acton Public School Committee (Editor's note: the vote did not take place and was rescheduled for Nov. 21). The Acton Education Association has argued that such action is unnecessary and violates the spirit – if not the letter – of the law.
It appears that the Board of Selectmen is poised to needlessly turn the cooperative relationship that exists between Acton’s teachers and the School Committee into a confrontational relationship between the teachers and the Town.
Last spring, the Massachusetts State Legislature enacted “Municipal Health Insurance Reform,” Chapter 69 of the Acts of 2011. The legislation, signed into law by Governor Patrick this summer, allows “the appropriate municipal public authority…to make health insurance plan design changes or to transfer the community into the state’s Group Insurance Commission.”
At last Thursday’s joint meeting of the Acton Public School Committee, Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee, and Acton Board of Selectmen, Selectmen Janet Adachi read portions of the law. The legislation’s very first sentence describes Chapter 69 as “an emergency law,” though not a member of the Board, nor the Town Manager, have yet to explain what the emergency is.
This legislation was never intended to simply provide public authorities the opportunity to make health insurance plan design changes at their whim. That power was meant to be used only when a community was in dire financial shape and when traditional bargaining was not successful in achieving a town’s needs. Neither of those conditions is true here in Acton. At several public meetings recently it’s been reported that the Town of Acton is in much better financial shape than had been predicted.
“What is most upsetting about this,” commented AEA President Marc Lewis, “is that our union, and the two other school unions, made every concession that the School Committed asked us to during our last negotiations.” When negotiations with the teachers union began two years ago, the School Committee asked the AEA to make
two major changes to their health insurance: educators on the indemnity plan were asked to pay 50% of their health insurance premiums, up from the 15% they were paying – a difference of thousands of dollars per person, and the rest were asked to pay 10% more of our premiums -- in addition to concessions in other aspects of their contract.
Lewis continued, “We argued, we all grew frustrated, at times it was tense and unpleasant, and there were days when I left feeling hopeless that a resolution was possible. But we all persevered, together, elected officials and union leaders, and collectively met our civic obligations. It took time, but we emerged from the table with a contract that mirrored the school committees’ health insurance proposal. We agreed to exactly what the school committees said the Town needed. Traditional bargaining, in good faith, with people with whom you’ve spent the time to build relationships, works.”
The Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee agreed that the Board of Selectmen’s voting to adopt Chapter 69 would not be prudent. In a letter to Mike Gowing, Chair of the Acton Board of Selectmen, dated November 4, 2011, School Committee Chair John Petersen shared a resolution adopted by the school committee the previous evening: “We believe that it is not prudent to move forward without good information and we respectfully request that the Acton Board of Selectmen seriously consider not beginning the process of adopting Chapter 69 at their meeting on Monday night.”
“Chapter 69 is needed in some places,” Lewis explained. “There are some communities that are experiencing fiscal emergencies and where remedies could not be achieved at the bargaining table. This is not one of those communities. Just because people are given power, does not mean they need to use it.”
The Acton Education Association is the professional organization of over 375 classroom teachers, specialized teaching personnel, school counselors, department chairpersons, librarians, and nurses who work in the five Acton Public Schools and two Acton-Boxborough Regional Schools. It is the local affiliate of the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA).
Brian
10:55 pm on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Its clear that acton town officiails are using this EMERGENCY legislation as a negotiating tactic for upcoming contracts. To be so callous to manipulate policies meant for dire financial situations to better they're negotiations is appalling. Acton you are better than this, please ask your selectmen to stop this disgusting tactic.
Kate Fitzmaurice
12:30 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
I have lived in Acton for 20 years and I have always been proud of the way the majority of our citizens support educators and our schools. More often than not, when someone new to town is asked why they moved here, the reply is, "Because of the great schools." I am confused as to why our town leaders often seem so unsupportive of our teachers. I hope Acton residents will contact the board of selectmen and let them know that this is not okay.
Tom Kamataris
1:40 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Acton is better than this! Teachers made sacrifices and negotiated in good faith. Town should do the same
Robyn Harding
3:14 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
I have lived in Acton for over 20 years. When asked why I moved to Acton, I comment without reservation, "the school system!" This town is recognized, both locally and nationally, for its education system. It is the faculty and staff of this district that have directly contributed towards this statewide recognition. I’m deeply saddened by the Board of Selectmen initiative to adopt new emergency legislation for our town that will change the way we have conducted business for many, many years. It is our Board's job to first educate its constituents on this new legislation, what it means, and how it will impact the town’s services, employees, and citizens before moving forward. The Board is rushing this legislation vote in order to control the direction of some upcoming union negotiations that represent about 50 individuals. I strongly urge my friends, and other citizens of Acton, to email your town Selectmen and tell them, “Stop, we need to know more before you do this!”
Thanks, Robyn Harding – town resident
Ann Burbank
6:12 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
The notion that the Acton Board of Selectmen are thinking about voting in the acceptance of Chapter 69 is shocking! This may GREATLY impact the healthcare/lives of the K-6 educators in Acton. One of the reasons many teachers have chosen to teach in this town is because of the wonderfully supportive community Acton has always been and because if the great working relationship between staff/administration/town officials. The acceptance of this chapter would very much do the opposite and indeed would be a "slap in the face" to those educators who nurture/educate the young children of this town. Voting Chapter 69 in would take away the bargaining rights of the teachers around health care. I may have devastating outcomes for future teachers in this town and in the way they can provide healthcare for themselves and their families. I am sure there are other more creative and less damaging ways that teachers and other town employees can work with Acton officials. This is clearly NOT the way to go! This chapter was designed to assist those communities in very poor financial situations. It was NOT intended for towns like Acton! I urge people to contact the Acton selectmen and ask them to vote NO on the acceptance of Chapter 69. There will be a vote in less than 2 weeks in mid-November.
Thank you, Ann Burbank
Carolyn Imperato
6:17 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
As a resident of Acton for over 12 years, I am disappointed by the actions of the Board of Selectman. Senator Eldridge's explanation of the law clearly does not fit a town like Acton. We are not in a dire financial situation nor are we in an "emergency" situation, yet town officials are attempting to undermine legitimate labor and political processes. Voting for Chapter 69 would give the governing body of our town, the Board of Selectman, all of the power over town employees with no reason to work in collaboration with the various unions. This goes against the spirit of unions and negotiations and does not provide for a fair system of checks and balances in our government.
The school staff, firefighters, and police work hard to make our town the wonderful place we all call home. We owe it to them to provide for their needs and to give them the piece of mind to support their own families as they work tirelessly to support our families. There are other ways to make financial changes in our town and to do it in a cooperative and collaborative manner that respects the needs of everyone and represents the true meaning of leadership.
We need to show our support for our community by letting our Selectmen know that we want our town employees to be treated fairly and we do not want them to vote for Chapter 69.
Carolyn Imperato
Acton Resident
Chris Porth
8:59 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
It is vexing.
While the Selectmen are simultaneously moving to enter into a period of good faith negotiations for new contracts with town employees they have seen fit to attempt to enact Chapter 69 in order to remove from the Board of Education the voice and possibility of continued successful good faith negotiations the Selectmen themselves approved with the Board of Education about a year ago!
The Selectmen's vote for Chapter 69 will be a vote to remove the coherent and cooperative voice of their own employees. The negation of the voice and spirit of the residents and workers of the town of Acton is NOT what town Father Isaac Davis gave his life for on that bridge the morning of April 19 1775.
Christopher Porth
Acton Resident
Robin
8:26 am on Thursday, November 10, 2011
I moved to Acton for the school systems and I am disappointed to see the town is not valuing one of its biggest assets - the teachers. As Acton residents, we should support the teachers/police/firefighters, they are the key to Acton's success as a community.
Brian
9:18 am on Thursday, November 10, 2011
On this subject I tried to learn more from the Acton website, specifically the minutes of this meeting. I was annoyed that they haven't been posted yet, and then I was more alarmed to see the first available minutes were more than a month old! I’d like to inquire why it takes so long to add minutes of town selectmen meetings to the website. If the intent of taking minutes is to inform the public of onging situations so they may add their voice and be properly and timely informed, then a minimum of a few days can pass before posting these minutes. Anything less and it seems like the selectmen would rather work in the dark and post history of their decisions.
Where is the transparency in government!!! Where is the outrage by the selectmen as to why this continues!
Brian
Patrick Clark
12:49 pm on Thursday, November 10, 2011
Acton Town website just released some information about
Municipal Health Care Reform: http://www.acton-ma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=186
Johanna Pyle
1:59 pm on Sunday, November 13, 2011
As an Acton resident, I am very frustrated at the behavior of the Town Selectman. I have attended the last three meetings at which this topic was discussed, and it was clear at all of those meetings that the town of Acton is clearly against accepting Chapter 69. And yet, the Selectman seem to be completely ignoring that sentiment. It is also clear to me that no-one is minimizing the difficult financial future that Acton is facing, and there is agreement that the current health insurance design plan is inefficient and not cost-effective. But why can't changes be made to these plans without adopting Chapter 69?? The Selectman were asked this many times, and have not answered it to my satisfaction at all.
Thank you,
Johanna Pyle
Acton resident
Sandy D'Amico
10:51 am on Thursday, November 17, 2011
A resident of Acton for the past 31 years and former employee of the Public School System for 20, I have seen many changes take place in this town. However, the education system of Acton has always remained steadfast in its excellence. Educators vie to be part of this system. Why, because their expertise, and dedication to our children has been respected and appreciated by the parents/residents. Now, we see members of the Board of Selectman,(some of whom may not be long time residence, and have little idea of the growth and pride of this town) trying to take control and manipulate the major benefit of ALL town employees. In our economic society today, individuals seek out positions that they are able to dedicate their vocation to in return for appropriate monetary reward and a few benefits. Having a health care program that protects their interests and needs of their family is a necessity. If these Acton Selectmen start chipping away at a most basic need, I'm afraid the professional caliber of our employees will diminish. Then, why would people move to this town? As a member of OSA, I know how all of us worked with the School Committee to meet our obligations regarding changes in health care, being particularly sensitive to health care costs that all of us endure. Was all this time, effort, and productive dialog a waste of time? Taking away ones right of discussion/negotiation speaks volumes to the lack of respect being harbored by some local elected officials.
Hilary Bonnell
3:53 pm on Saturday, November 19, 2011
The board of selectmen keep saying that chapter 69 wont make any big changes to the town employees health insurance but will save the town a ton of money. I find this really hard to believe. Which employees on which plans? Is the board referring to teachers who recently assumed responsibility for a greater share of their health costs or perhaps the other unions with whom the board has not been able to compromise? I don't understand the rush to pass this. Why not take some time to really understand what voting yes for chapter 69 will mean for all parties involved?
Hilary Bonnell
Alison Takacs
10:08 am on Monday, November 21, 2011
I echo the above sentiments. Bottom line - there is no emergency at this time, therefore chapter 69 should not even be considered. If there is some emergency that the residents have yet to be informed of, now would be the time to let us know.
Mary
11:10 am on Monday, November 21, 2011
Why fix it if it isn't broken? Negotiations have always worked within the school system, with compromise and respect on each side. You take away an insurance program that protects employees from expensive out of pocket expenses and those employees will go elsewhere.We will end up with less outstanding teachers and staff, which will affect the quality of education. With the schools less desirable, real estate values will go down and less people will want to live in town. Talk about a domino effect! The selectmen need to protect the one asset this town has....quality employees both in the schools and on the municipal level.
Amy
1:31 pm on Monday, November 21, 2011
I have been an Acton resident for more than 20 years, and my children have attended our schools. I live in this community, and pay our taxes, because I believe we have a high quality of services. I am at a loss as to why the Board thinks Chapter 69 is a good idea for our community. The cost analysis presented to defend the choice is complicated, and statistics and projections are only estimates, showing a possible short term savings, and what remains is the many concerns about the longer term impact. It does not appear that adopting Chapter 69 is good for anybody!.
We currently attract quality teachers. If Acton becomes the town with the poor health care benefits, those future (and current?) top teachers will choose positions in different communities. People will not be attracted to work for our town, nor will people be attracted to live here, if we continue to publicly display the tone of disrespect for public employees.
The tone of the recent School Committee and Board of Selectmen’s meetings have been concerning – I have been disappointed in our elected officials. I see so many town employees and community members at these meetings. Those that are paying attention to this issue are passionate about it.… and I don’t hear from ANYONE in favor of Chapter 69! Please hear those that care so much about this issue and vote NO tonight, to Chapter 69.
joe prestone
1:06 pm on Sunday, November 27, 2011
I've lived in Acton for 35 years. I've never seen something so bold as to the way Mike Gowing tried to sneak this chapter 69 in back in the october meeting.He has lived here for a very short time and he thinks he knows what is right for the people of Acton.. Well Mr Gowing people move to Acton for the schools, property values are higher because of that.. You tried to compare us with Lawrence ma. as to us needing this chapter 69..Sir your comparing apples to oranges or maybe you would like to turn Acton into Lawrence.. I understand your looking out for the older people in Acton who pay high taxes because of the schools and they have no children attending the schools.. Well focus on giving the seniors without kids in school to get a lower tax rate, rather than taking and reducing benefits of the hard working people of Acton that make this town what it is.. I say impeach Mike Gowing and let him move to Lawrence ma..This chapter 69 not for acton...