Wisconsin Union Law Upheld

[flacaltenn]

Just a little update to the skirmish in Wisconsin..

http://www.postcrescent.com/article/...rement-savings

KAUKAUNA — As changes to collective bargaining powers for public workers take effect today, the Kaukauna Area School District is poised to swing from a projected $400,000 budget shortfall next year to a $1.5 million surplus due to health care and retirement savings.

The Kaukauna School Board approved changes Monday to its employee handbook that require staff to cover 12.6 percent of their health insurance and to contribute 5.8 percent of their wages to the state’s pension system, in accordance with the new collective bargaining law, commonly known as Act 10.

“These impacts will allow the district to hire additional teachers (and) reduce projected class sizes,” School Board President Todd Arnoldussen wrote in a statement Monday. “In addition, time will be available for staff to identify and support students needing individual assistance through individual and small group experiences.”

The district anticipates that elementary class size projections for next year will shrink from 26 students to 23 students

I know folks are gonna hate me for posting this.. But it's important to follow-thru on all the shouting.. Looks like the kids are winning. The teachers are paying 2.5% more for their healthcare (now at a whopping 12.6% of cost) and about 5% towards their GENEROUS pensions. PROBABLY concessions the union was willing to make voluntarily anyway to avoid the furor. A little heavy-handed, but there was not a lotta time to kibbutz.

Another result of this is that the healthcare premiums (which HAD to be purchased thru the WEA union) are now being bidded out -- and as a result -- WEA is quoting a significant reduction to the state. Ain't competition great?

Not making friends am I?