As you are probably aware the We Are One Illinois coalition including the IEA negotiated an agreement with Senate President Cullerton concerning pension reform. The agreement is structured as a choice proposal affects current retirees.
The proposal will provide a choice between access to healthcare and accepting a staggered two-year COLA freeze or keeping your 3% compounded COLA and no retiree health care access.
The impairment and diminishment language in the proposal is clearly unconstitutional. The IRTA will continue to oppose legislation that diminishes benefits for retirees.
- Comment
- Reblog
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Fred Klonsky 
Hooray for us old farts!
Dear Fred (and the IRTA)
Fred I have a lot of respect for you and your willingness to challenge ….
I understand the IRTA disappointment at not being at the table but they are not a union, they did not want to play the part of a union. I’m sorry they feel slighted.
I believe with all my heart that the IEA leadership “did the right thing”. Negotiations is the way to solve these things. “Just Say No” is just not a viable option – except to be run over.
Because it is a negotiated agreement not everyone will be happy. That often is the results in negotiations. I know you were a local negotiator — Criticism is to be expected — but just like back in our locals — criticize – ask tough questions — but support your union in the end.
I not only support our Union but I applaud it for making the coalition work, keeping it together, being persistent, continuing to reach out to “the other side” . It would have been so easy to give up and blame it all on Madigan.
I applaud President Klickna for her persistence and vision.
Bob Haisman – IEA-R and IRTA member
Fred–if they –IEA–agree to this deal, does that abolish our rights guaranteed in the constitution? If so, I guess that means the legislature got around the constitutional amendment vote that failed…unbelievable!
Sent from my iPhone
First SB2404 must pass the Senate. Then it must pass the House, which has passed Madigan’s amended SB1 and is hostile to SB2404. Then it must survive what will likely be a court challenge. The IEA believes it is constitutional as it is a modification of a contract, which has been done before.
We are not all one. We object to both proposals–unconstitutional from every aspect. Now lets diminish all Congress members who have overspent the states budget and now the only pocketbook that they are reaching into is the state educators, etc. I truly believe it is time to strip the salaries and benefits of all salaries and perks that go with that position. Shame on all of you.