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Welcome
to Newsline Online 2008 |
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Thank
you for providing your email address so that NEARI can be more
effective at delivering up-to-the-minute information through Newsline
Online. Please pass this issue on to your colleagues and
remind them to provide us with their e-mail address if they have
not done so already. |
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Supplemental Budget update |
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On
Friday, the Rhode Island House of Representatives passed the Supplemental
Budget, including Article 4, which impacts the health care of
future state employee retirees, and future teacher retirees who
might want to buy their health care through the state. For state
employees, the new language not only raises the cost significantly,
but also changes the minimum retirement age to 59 with 20 years
of service for state employees. The state will pay 80 percent
and the employee 20 percent of a separately calculated plan cost
for retirees, which is over 50% higher than the cost for current
employees.
These changes will apply to all state employees (and teachers who buy full health care coverage through the state) who do not retire prior to October 1, 2008. NEARI, along with other state employee unions, worked feverishly to amend the legislation but the House unfortunately supported the governor's attack on public employees and his goal of forcing people to retire.
It is important to note that coverage in the Providence
Journal mentioned a compromise that would allow employees to purchase coverage at the active cost. This was not a labor amendment and we have no idea how much such coverage would be diminished in order to keep the cost equivalent to the active rate.
Remember, the supplemental budget is designed to help close the gap between the current budget and fiscal year-to-date income and expenditures. We are certain to face another battle when next year's budget is proposed during upcoming weeks.
This week the supplemental budget moves to the full Senate for a vote that is expected to come on Thursday. Call
your senator today and ask him/her to oppose Article 4. Also, please mention that you are opposed to any negative changes to your pensions, healthcare and collective bargaining rights. Go to www.neari.org for more detail.
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RALLY! |
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It's time to rally! Join your NEARI and labor colleagues this Friday, May 2, 5:00 p.m., on the South side of the State House, to raise your voice with fellow union members and Rhode Islanders. You are your own best advocate when it comes to protecting your right to bargain collectively as well as your pension and health care.
If your voice is not heard, then those voices that would take away your pension and bargaining rights will be. It starts with attending the rally and calling your legislators. NEARI President Larry Purtill says, with the deficit growing worse each day, many Rhode Islanders believe that attacking our pensions, health care and collective bargaining is the only way out. We need to remind them that public employees cannot continue to bear the brunt of budgetary shortfalls.
Remember, this is an election year. Let your voice be heard. See your local president for more details about rally plans.
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NEA on the Bay |
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Unwind in style at the third annual NEA
on the Bay, May 16, at the Bay Voyage Inn, Jamestown. From 4-8:00 p.m., join friends and colleagues for hors d'oeuvres, music, and conversation. Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Space is limited to 150, so reserve your spot today! |
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