I have heard from several members they want to contact their legislator, but are not sure what to say or feel uninformed. MEA has a direct link to talking points on specific bills that you may wish to voice your opinion on. Go to http://www.mea.org/ , click on "Bill Tracker" in the right hand margin. You will be directed to a new page listing current legislation that MEA is tracking. Bills in need of urgent action will alert you with a message in blue in the far right hand column. Now, here is the good part, at the top of the page, in blue, is a link to talking points for each of the most urgent bills. There you have it! By clicking on the talking points link, you will have the information you need to fire off a letter or e-mail to your legislator at your fingertips. Better yet, make a phone call and use the information to tell them how you feel.
We must continue to oppose cuts to education, legislation aimed at destroying public unions, and your right to make a decent living and take care of your family. Your actions do have a powerful impact on what is happening. Keep the pressure on.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Lot's going On in Lansing & Vote Results
First, I have decided not to post the mea vote results on the blog due to the fact it is a public blog and the information is confidential. If you wish to know the results, please contact your building rep.
There are numerous bills pending in the legislature regarding collective bargaining rights, teacher tenure, cuts to education funding, and general attacks on our profession. Go to www.mea.org and click on the "bill Tracker" on the right hand side of the page. You can read the bills that need your immediate attention and you can click on the link to the right to contact your legislator. E-mail, call, or write your legislators to stop these attacks on education and teachers in Michigan. Your comments and contacts do have an impact, but we must not stop.
There are numerous bills pending in the legislature regarding collective bargaining rights, teacher tenure, cuts to education funding, and general attacks on our profession. Go to www.mea.org and click on the "bill Tracker" on the right hand side of the page. You can read the bills that need your immediate attention and you can click on the link to the right to contact your legislator. E-mail, call, or write your legislators to stop these attacks on education and teachers in Michigan. Your comments and contacts do have an impact, but we must not stop.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The Real Reason for Financial Marshall Law
Want to know what really happens when a Emergency Financial Manager comes to a town near you? Watch this video from the Rachel Maddow Show.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tenure and Pension Changes Looming
Click on link below to read entire article
http://www.mea.org/tenure-pension-changes-way
or visit http://www.mea.org/ for up to the minute news affecting you.
http://www.mea.org/tenure-pension-changes-way
or visit http://www.mea.org/ for up to the minute news affecting you.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Do As I Madate, Not as I Do
Want to know what standards teachers for President obama and Sec. Duncan's kids are held to? check it out below.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/teacher-evaluations-at-the-schools-that-obama-duncan-picked-for-their-kids/2011/04/15/AF1S1cwD_story.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/teacher-evaluations-at-the-schools-that-obama-duncan-picked-for-their-kids/2011/04/15/AF1S1cwD_story.html
Coming Soon to a Town Near You - EFM Takes Over in Benton harbor
Believed to be the first town in Michigan taken over by an EFM under the new law. Click on link below to read the story.
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/04/16/efm-suspends-authority-of-benton-harbor-officials/
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/04/16/efm-suspends-authority-of-benton-harbor-officials/
Road Trip!
NMEA will be sending several busses with members to Lansing next Thursday, April 28 to meet and speak with your legislators. Each local in Northern Michigan is sending two members. Boyne City needs at least one more person to go (more, if we want). Busses will leave Gaylord from the Glen's parking lot at 9:30am April 28. Lunch will be provided. You will need to use a personal day in order to go. If interested, contact Stacy McGeorge. This is your chance to speak directly to your legislators and let them know how you feel.
Petoskey Asking for Help
Petoskey EA and ESP has invited us to a Bar-B-Q this Thursday, April 21 beginning at 5pm. It will be at the Fair grounds in Petoskey. After dinner, everyone will proceed to the Board meeting. If you can attend, they ask that you wear red, as the staff is doing so to show unity.
Ready for a Road Trip?
Rep. Greg Macmaster is having a Town Hall meeting this Friday, April 22 in Elk Rapids. If you are interested, meet at the middle school parking lot this Friday @ 12:30pm to car pool down. We will grab lunch on the way. You have a chance to speak your mind and now is the time to do it.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Get Your Wallet Out; This is Going to Hurt
Below is a list of pending legislation all aimed at taking money away from you, your school, and restricting your union officer's ability to represent you. Call or e-mail NOW! You can make a difference.
- Senate passes bill requiring all public employees to pay at least 20% of insurance premiums Contact your state rep; urge a NO vote. http://www.gophouse.com/welcome.asp?District=105
- Freeze wages after contract expires, pass health care cost increases on to public workers, ban retroactive bargaining Contact your state senator;urge a NO vote. http://www.senate.michigan.gov/gop/senators/Walker.asp?District=37
- Prohibits public employer contracts that pay union officials for conducting union businessContact your senator; urge a NO vote.
www.senate.michigan.gov/gop/senators/Walker.asp?District=37
Go to http://www.mea.org/ and click on "Bill Tracker" to see all pending legislation
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
BCEA/ESP Meeting Thursday
Do Not forget to attend Thursday's meeting @ 3:30pm in Michele Deming's room. We will be discussing and vote on whether to approve crisis activities as requested by MEA. Remember, our by-laws state if we have a quorum (10% of members present), we may hold a vote on the question as noted. It is vital that you attend. The actual wording of the ballot is;
"As a member of the _____________ , I authorize the Michigan Education Assoction to initiate crisis activities up to, and including, job action."
"As a member of the _____________ , I authorize the Michigan Education Assoction to initiate crisis activities up to, and including, job action."
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Who are the Real Players Behind Gov. Snyder's Agenda?
Click on the link to find out who is bank rolling the Governor's agenda. It's rather lenthy, but worth the read.
http://www.politicalruminations.com/2011/03/corporations-behind-michigans-unconstitutional-efm-law.html
http://www.politicalruminations.com/2011/03/corporations-behind-michigans-unconstitutional-efm-law.html
Monday, April 4, 2011
Good News on 3% Contribution to Pension Ruling
Public school employees shouldn't have to pay for retiree health care, judge rules
Roll over text and click to see entire article
Roll over text and click to see entire article
Saturday, April 2, 2011
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