Welcome to 2012. We hope your winter break afforded you time for relaxation, rejuvenation, and some celebration. We look to 2012 with optimism and hope for the success for all of our students, and as a year to help reshape the political landscape in our state.
Pension Reform. We are closely monitoring proposed legislation in the Ohio General Assembly to “reform” Ohio’s five public pension systems. We are concerned that these proposals will be excessive and unnecessary to maintain the solvency of our STRS retirement system. Here are key points we want our members to understand:
·Contribution Rates. 24% (9% from us and 15% from the Board) of our salaries are placed in STRS. Those contribution rates are mandated by law, and the money belongs to us. The legislation being considered would increase the employee contribution to 12.5% which would result in a 3.5% reduction in our take-home pay.
·Years of Service. We are opposed to a two-threshold system that would require teachers to be age 60 and have taught for 35 years in order to receive a full pension. This is particularly unfair to those who entered teaching later in life. In addition, any changes in age and years of service requirements must be phased in and not be punitive to those who are nearing retirement.
·Social Security Offset. Ohio teachers and public employees who are eligible for Social Security because of other work will receive minimal, if any, Social Security benefits even though they paid enough into Social Security to qualify for benefits.
Payroll Concerns. Later this week we will meet with the district’s Treasurer/CFO, Scott Gainer, to resolve problems that have arisen concerning members’ payroll complaints such as incorrect deductions, the revised federal withholding, and the deferment of supplemental contract retroactive pay. In addition, some of our members who were transferred from schools in Cleveland Heights to school in University Heights, and vice-versa, have their city income tax deductions going to the wrong municipality. We encourage you to check your pay stubs to verify that the correct municipality is getting your city income tax.
Union Banquet. Mark your calendars! We have set the date for our Union banquet which will be held on Friday, April 20th at Di Borally’s PartyCenter in RichmondHeights.
In Union,
Tom Schmida, President