BAEA Recruiting News
May 2016
Why we're sending this to you...
Email: boyertownaea@gmail.com
Website: http://www.boyertownaea.org
Location: Boyertown, PA, United States
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Boyertown-Area-Education-Association-616524091709559/
Collective Bargaining News...How we stack up.
Periodically, we have the opportunity to meet with other Associations around Berks County and discuss and compare contract items. From those meetings, we can derive some statistics. Sometimes, these stats are favorable, and sometimes not; these statistics change as contracts are at all stages of negotiation, but the items included are worth sharing because they are consistently on the list.
In comparison to other districts in Berks county (which is the only group they compare us against), we have the:
- Best salary schedule structure (tied for fewest steps with Tulpehocken, but they have a PhD column, which prevents members from getting to top salary without one, so our schedule is “better” and members have higher career earnings)
- Best Master’s Salary
- Highest settled salary increase for 16-17 (when factoring in the incremental cost)
- 3rd highest career salary
- Highest starting salary
These stats are a direct result of the training and commitment of the leadership of the Association, beginning long ago with past leaders who learned, were trained, and were committed to the members of the Association and their financial well-being. Our current leadership remains committed to those same ideals.
What's going on?
- Representing members and successfully resolving 12 separate personnel issues.
- Addressed several other issues relating to health care, personal days, the substitute fill rates, retirement questions and concerns.
- Attending quarterly meetings of Berks County associations to discuss bargaining goals and contractual issues commonly encountered by other Associations.
- Monthly meetings with Central Administration to discuss and resolve issues.
- Monthly meetings with BAEA Executive Council to discuss and address issues.
- Monthly meetings with Rep. Council to collect and address member concerns.
- Supporting students and our community through the BAEA Scholarship Award.
- Planning Time - we are advocating for every teacher to have a planning period every day. There is progress on this front, especially for elementary staff.
- Parent Conference Schedule for 2016-2017 - we are advocating for a modification that will make the day after conferences a bit easier.
- We continue to monitor the substitute fill rate in buildings across the district. The fill rate has been increasing, with January's coming in at 95%. But, with the end of the year approaching, there may be additional unfilled spots. Most unfilled spots occur when a teacher calls out early in the morning.
- Walkthrough Feedback - we are making progress in our effort to see that each teacher receives some sort of feedback after an administrator performs a walkthrough observation.
- Personnel moves after BASH construction, and Junior High conversion to Middle School - we are busy making sure the district is planning to accommodate, when possible, a teacher's certifications and personal preferences when assigning staff to positions after 2017.
Fact or Fiction: Membership Trivia
Fiction: Non-members have ALL of the same rights and protections as Association members.
Fact: Non-members do have some rights that the Association must uphold.
Fact: The Association must enforce the contract for all members and non-members. Members, however, have additional support and protections in due process proceedings and in the case of a grievance, reprimand, discipline, or termination as a result of those proceedings. In those cases, members receive representation, legal services, and support through BAEA, PSEA, and NEA as necessary.
Fact: YOU can make a difference. Every member's input matters to the Association. Please share your professional triumphs, tribulations, comments, and concerns with your Building Reps. and the Executive Council, so that BAEA is aware of what's going on, promoting the good things happening in our schools, and helping out in times of struggle. Together, we are a community looking out for each other.
Fact: You can receive discounts and services through your membership, with savings that can save you more than the cost of membership each year. Details on those discounts and services are below.
Benefits of Membership
BAEA members receive full support and representation in due process proceedings and in the case of a grievance, reprimand, discipline, or termination as a result of those proceedings. In those cases, members receive representation, legal services, and support through BAEA, PSEA, and NEA as necessary.
All members have a voice and a vote in the collective bargaining process to help guide negotiations.
$1 Million Liability insurance policy
- $1 million coverage for members of PSEA-NEA (per occurrence, per member)
- $300,000 coverage for alleged civil rights violations
- Reimbursement of attorney’s fees up to $35,000 for defense of criminal charges arising from employment activities, if you are exonerated or if the charges are dropped. If charges relate to corporal punishment, attorney fees are reimbursed regardless of the outcome.
- PSEA will advance up to $2,500 of an attorney’s retainer to any member charged with a crime arising from employment activities, so that members will be helped with out-of-pocket costs.
- $1,000 bail bond coverage
- $500 coverage for your property damage as a result of an assault
Personal Legal Services at reduced cost - Covers almost any personal, non-employment related legal need, such as: wills, real estate, estates, domestic, consumer traffic.
Financial & Personal Services:
- Auto and Home Insurance (Liberty Mutual Insurance)
- Home Equity Loans (AmeriServ Bank)
- Investing & Retirement Planning (Kades-Margolis)
- Personal Legal Services (PSEA)
- Mortgages (Mortgage Edge/AmeriServ Bank)
- Personal Line of Credit (AmeriServ Bank)
- Real Estate (Coldwell Banker/Guardian Transfer)
Special Discounts & Services:
- PSEA Member Purchase Program (Paycheck Direct)
- Internet, TV, and Phone Service (Verizon Fios)
- Mobile Phones & Accessories (Verizon Wireless)
- Printer Ink (Eco Ink)
- Restaurants, hotels, travel, automotive services, shopping, and more (ACCESS program)
Health & Wellness Programs:
- Contact Lenses (Contact Fill)
- Disability Insurance (USI/Affinity)
- Hearing Services (Hear in America)
- Retiree Vision & Dental Coverage (PSEA Health & Welfare Fund)
- Vision Discount Program (PSEA Health & Welfare Fund)
NEA Member Benefits: (www.neamb.com)
NEA Member Benefits offers a variety of programs, including:
- Auto Discounts
- Car Rental
- Classroom Store
- Heating Oil
- Insurance
- Magazine Service
My Rights: Union Representation
Employees have the right to representation when called to a meeting by administrators. “Weingarten Rights” give employees the right to request union representation during a meeting if the following conditions are met:
- The meeting is an investigatory interview.
- Disciplinary action may result from the meeting.
- The employee reasonably believes that disciplinary action may result.
- The employee requests representation.
Weingarten Rights
If an advocate is not available, the employee can ask that the meeting be postponed.
"If this discussion could lead to my being disciplined or terminated, I respectfully request that my association representative be included in the meeting. Without representation, I choose not to answer any questions."
Employees have the right to choose the union representative for an investigatory interview as long as that person is reasonably available.
Health Care Open Enrollment
The following options are available:
- Premier Plan - 13% premium share, $350/$700 deductible, and 0% co-insurance.
- Deluxe Plan - 6% premium share, $500/$1000 deductible, and 5% INN / 10% OON co-insurance on every claim.
- Value Plan - 0% premium share, $1000/$2000 deductible, and 10% INN / 20% OON co-insurance on every claim.
- Opt out. You may opt out of BASD coverage if you are already covered by your spouse's plan.
Failure to elect a plan will result in BASD defaulting you to the Value Plan, which has significant deductibles, co-insurance, and will result in coordination (sharing) of claim payments between BASD insurance and your spouse's insurance. The birth rule determines which insurance is "primary" and is applied to each claim first.
If you think all is well with your job...
If things aren't well...
Special Membership Offer
Non-members who decide to join BAEA/PSEA/NEA now receive the following special offers:
- You become a member immediately, and receive representation and legal services, beginning September 1, 2016. Under normal rules, there is a 1 year waiting period from the time a non-member joins to receive this service.
- Immediately become eligible for the standard $1 million Educator Employment Liability (EEL) insurance to protect you if you are sued during the course of employment.
- Enjoy discounted programs and savings through PSEA/NEA member benefits (see above).
- All other rights and privileges of membership
- You pay nothing from now until next year's dues collection begins, on or after September 1, 2016 depending on which payment option you choose.
Contact Lucy Dyer (BAEA Membership Chairperson) or Chad Roth (BAEA President) to get more information on this incentive.