Bad news for teacher's unions, Wisconsin sky is not falling.....

[john "teach me how to" dougie]

http://washingtonexaminer.com/politics/2011/07/wisconsin-schools-buck-union-cut-health-costs

The law, bitterly opposed by organized labor in the state and across the nation, limits the collective bargaining powers of some public employees. And it just happens that the Hartland-Lakeside teachers' collective bargaining agreement expired on June 30. So now, freed from the expensive WEA Trust deal, the school district has changed insurers.

"It's going to save us about $690,000 in 2011-2012," says Schilling. Insurance costs that had been about $2.5 million a year will now be around $1.8 million. What union leaders said would be a catastrophe will in fact be a boon to teachers and students.

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/politics/2011/07/wisconsin-schools-buck-union-cut-health-costs

[wetwillie]

I wonder if their coverages are less and deductibles higher.

[06wildcat]

There's a lot missing in that article to determine if this is a good thing or bad thing for the 2 districts mentioned in regards to health insurance.

[Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!)]

I checked out the WEA Trust website to see how it was organized.  It's a dearth of information.  It doesn't even say what kind of trust it is or who the beneficiaries of the trust are.  It does say that a bunch of people who know nothing about insurance, trusts, or finances run it though.

Our organization
Created by the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) and headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, the Trust is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the health and financial security of Wisconsin public school employees and their families. A Board of Trustees—all current or retired public school employees—oversees Trust operations and serves without financial compensation. As educators, they understand the needs of public school employees, and are able to use that knowledge to ensure that Trust members get high quality and great value in their insurance.

What we offer
The Trust offers health, dental, life, long term disability, short term disability, and long term care insurance plans. These plans are available to members through bargaining between their local union and their employer. These comprehensive benefits are backed by unparalleled customer service.

More people should be skeptical about a union forcing business to the WEA and then passing the bill on to the state.  Instead they speculate that coverage is less and costs more.  I would think the liberal media would be all over that if it were in fact true.  Time will tell I guess.

Big win for the state education budget though.  Maybe now the kids can get some new textbooks.

[john "teach me how to" dougie]

The trust was probably used to funnel money to political candidates first, then to provide health insurance. Why else would they force the members to use it?

[ednksu]

don't let facts get in the way of a good witch hunt

also unions were more than willing to negotiate on all of this.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/28/us/28unions.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/116162704.html

[john "teach me how to" dougie]

don't let facts get in the way of a good witch hunt

also unions were more than willing to negotiate on all of this.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/28/us/28unions.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/116162704.html

All that shows is that unions have to face extinction before they will negotiate in good faith.

[ednksu]

don't let facts get in the way of a good witch hunt

also unions were more than willing to negotiate on all of this.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/28/us/28unions.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/116162704.html

All that shows is that unions have to face extinction before they will negotiate in good faith.

you speak like that kind of methodology is unique to this situation.  Unions, big business, government all refuse to negotiate in good faith until their backs are against the well.  Hell look at the UAW clinging to its BS even after GM went bankrupt.  People need to call a spade a spade and recognize that very few organizations are willing to protect the middle class.