IEA Insider - May 2009

IEA Insider - May 2009

IEA Fact Sheet SB1292 Regarding Gov. Quinn's Proposed Budget

Governor Quinn is serious about changing state financing of public pensions.  That is YOUR retirement.  Make sure that the Illinois pays its fair share towards TRS.   Read all the details, here: IEA Fact Sheet - SB 1292 and contact your state representatives!

A Message from Ken Swanson, IEA President

Colleagues:

This email is to make sure all of you are aware that we are planning to respond to the many (and increasing) hits the organization is taking with regard to our opposition to Gov. Quinn’s plan to two-tier the state pension systems.  

An op-ed piece will be sent to newspapers statewide next week.

It also is very important that each of you understand the need for our response to be “strategic,” that is to say, a response that enhances, or at least maintains, our ability to advocate for our issues effectively in the short and long-term.

One of the things that we all have to accept is that our position, which is fair and very defensible in our view, is unfair and indefensible to many, if not most, of those who aren’t TRS or SURS participants.

People who have long supported us on our issues such as fair funding are disappointed and/or angry with us for digging in on the two-tiering issue.
 
“Pension reform” (aka two-tiering) is resonating very well with a public who, in all too many cases, have seen their economic security threatened, their fringe benefits cut or eliminated, lost employment, etc.  Like it or not, fair or not, this battle is about perceptions.  If this were a debate, we would win hands down arguing that past irresponsibility should not equate to future sacrifice by our future colleagues.  But, this is not a debate where facts matter most.  Emotionally-driven perceptions matter most.  And that means this is one tough fight we are in.
 
In fact, let me say here what I have been saying for months across the state.  As IEA president, I cannot stop this from happening.  Our lobbyists cannot stop this from happening.  The ONLY way we can prevent this from happening is if enough of our members across the state speak to their legislators and the governor with the same message:  NO TWO-TIER!!!
 
These are very difficult times.  Many in the public see public sector employees including education as the fortunate "haves" because we are still employed, we still have health care benefits, and we have what many see as a very generous pension.  It is in this climate, where so many have lost so much in the private sector, that the case must be made for a significant tax increase.  It is in this climate we must fight to prevent a two tiered pension system.  It is in this climate we must seek long term answers for school funding.  

We can’t give up.  We won’t give in.  But we also can’t ignore reality.  That is why a “strategic” response is mandatory and why radio ads and op-eds make the most sense.  With those vehicles we exert some control over the message.  

But let’s not kid ourselves.  There is nothing we can say that will change the minds of people who see our members are being far better off than themselves and who are resentful of that situation.

Those who consider education employees “haves” and see themselves as “have not’s” don’t care whether the state caused the crisis, that teachers always paid their share, that retirement benefits for education employees, on average, are comparable to those in other states.   

This is our issue.  The public will never hold a rally for our pensions.  We can win only if the 133,000 members of IEA speak with one voice to the members of the General Assembly, who are under tremendous pressure to cut costs due to the $12 billion budget deficit.

We’re in the fight of our lives.  Please round up five people this week to contact their legislators and urge him/her to oppose two-tiering.  Ask each of your five to do the same.

Thanks for your help in this very important, very difficult fight.

Six-Year Study of Consumer-Directed Health Plans Gauges Savings

A six-year study of health care claims and utilization for members of a consumer-directed health

(CDH) plans was recently released. The study demonstrates that their CDH members sustained 

savings for employers over a five-year period, with employee members getting the care they need. 

 

"Read the complete story on the attached newsletter."

May 2009 - CBC Newsletter