Please check the IEA website regularly for updates related to pensions and possible attempts to make changes that will impact future, current and retired teachers.
The video below is the latest effort from the We Are One Illinois labor coalition, of which IEA is a part:
The We Are One Illinois labor coalition, which includes IEA, IFT, AFSCME, the Illinois AFL-CIP and other organizations representing public sector workers, issued the following statement in reaction to Gov. Quinn’s pension plan announcement:
Responding to Gov. Pat Quinn’s news conference on pensions held Friday, April 20, Illinois AFL-CIO president Michael Carrigan issued this statement for the We Are One Illinois coalition of unions that represent public employees:
“The unions representing public employees are committed to working with Gov. Quinn and the members of the General Assembly to find a solution to the pension funding crisis caused by the state’s failure to pay its share.
“It is crucial that the pension problem not be compounded by an unconstitutional solution that is unfair to public employees who have always paid their share. The average public employee pension is just $32,000. Because most public employees do not receive Social Security, this modest pension is their life savings.
“Despite the willingness of the unions to engage in substantive discussions, our organizations were not asked to be part of Governor Quinn’s pension working group. We were invited to just four meetings and only a few days ago received any data by which to judge its proposals.
“We strongly disagree with the proposals made today. Considering that the subject at hand is the ability of hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans to support themselves in retirement, we believe the proposals are insensitive and irresponsible.
“By appearing to endorse these unfair and unconstitutional cuts, the governor has made the process of finding common ground much more difficult.
“Forcing public servants to choose between two sharply diminished pension plans is no choice at all. It is a clearly illegal attempt to solve the problem caused by past governors and the legislature solely on the backs of teachers, caregivers and other public workers.
“Public employees must be treated and heard as full partners in any substantive discussions. No one has a greater stake in solving the problem than we do. A serious problem deserves a serious effort at a solution. The unions are ready.”
By midnight Thursday, we should know whether we have succeeded in beating back another illegal and unfair attack on the pensions of Illinois public employees.
This is your fight and the participation of all 132,000 IEA members is needed if we are to stop Senate Bill 512, the illegal and unfair pension legislation.
This past spring, IEA helped secure the passage of an important school reform bill that improves our schools, keeps the best teachers in classrooms, and ensures the teachers’ voice remains strong at the bargaining table. It was the result of months of negotiations and represented a remarkable victory for IEA and our members across the state. Go to the IEA website to read more about Senate Bill 7 and watch the video below highlighting the landmark legislation.
Moving Illinois forward: Real world solutions for a broken economy.Join us October 8 for the IEA Economic Summit live streaming event. Guest speakers will discuss the economic climate and challenges on a national to local level. Discussion also includes the return on your education investment and quality in job growth.
The event is for any interested party including IEA members, staff and the general public. We have groups from many different public entities participating (many are human services type groups).
There is no cost to view the event. The entire day will be streamed live on the internet except for the breaks and lunch. Visit the IEA website to find out more and get the link to the event: http://www.ieanea.org/featured/economic-summit/
It’s important that as crucial elections come up this Fall (especially for Governor and statewide races) and this Spring (school board elections) our members are registered to vote.
On September 9 at 4:30 the County Clerk’s office will be training our members to be voter registrars. Those who complete the training will be able to get others (your colleagues, friends and neighbors) registered to vote.
If you’re interested and willing, please RSVP to the IEA Office (309-663-6400 or karen.hancock@ieanea.org) by Monday, August 30 so we can let the County Clerk know how many to plan for and we can arrange for food as well.
Continue to check here and at http://ieanea.org for updates, information and calls to action. Find out more information about the IEA recommendation, including a comparison of the two candidates and their views on public education.
We’ve posted links to several stories, photos and videos from the April 21 SOS (Save our State/Save our Schools) Rally on the UFEA Facebook Page. Several of the stories feature images and quotes of UFEA and BEA members.
If you’re on Facebook and haven’t yet “liked” the UFEA Page, you should! You can also follow UFEA on Twitter (@ufea). Twitter coverage from the SOS Rally can be found by searching the #SOSrally hashtag. And, of course, there is coverage and calls to action at http://illinoiseducationassociation.org as well.
We will be taking over 30 Unit 5 employees and friends to the Lobby Day in Springfield tomorrow. We’ll be joining about 20 others from Region 14 and thousands of others from across the State.
We think we will have a big crowd, and we hope to be able to talk with our local legislators when we get there.
But those of us in Springfield tomorrow can’t do it alone. We need your help! The rest of our members can help with the lobbying effort right here at home. Please encourage members in your building to take a few minutes before or after school, during lunch, or during plan time to contact our legislators by phone, fax or email (contact information is below). An easy way to email is to go to this link:
http://capwiz.com/nea/il/state/main/?state=IL
SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS:
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Senator Bill Brady, R-44th District
Senator Dan Rutherford, R-53rd District
Representative Dan Brady, R-88th District
Representative Keith Sommer, R-106th District
After watching the video, go to www.ieanea.org to read more.
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