The ESP chapter was presented with a similar proposal, as the District hopes to bring all employees together under a standardized model. Under this plan, employees choosing the family plan would pay 30% of the annual premium (over 20 paychecks), those on the new employee + 1 plan would pay 25% of the premium, and those on the employee only plan would pay 20% of the premium.

A similar benefits proposal presented during the 2017-19 bargaining was rejected, as MFT’s internal calculations at the time showed only a small decrease in premiums for those choosing the “employee + 1” option, while the employee only and family premiums increased under two of the three plans, with over 2,000 members realizing higher insurance costs, some in the hundreds of dollars. Any move to a percentage split of contributions will have an affect on the “employee only” premiums paid by the employee, as two of the three plans currently have no cost ($0) associated with the plan (e.g. the district covers the full cost) and the third plan, which over half of the teacher chapter employees have chosen, has a cost of $30 per paycheck.

In addition to the health insurance proposal, the district also proposed a percentage model for dental insurance, instead of the $100, $200, and $300 employee contributions for employee only, employee + 1, and family dental coverage.

Before the next bargaining session, MFT will review the facts and figures relating to the current health care costs so that discussion can take place with a better understanding of the effect on every educator’s bottom line.

Bargaining Update: Medical and Dental Insurance Benefits Proposal from MPS

At the September 5th bargaining meeting, the MPS District team presented their medical and dental insurance proposal.

The proposal creates an "employee + 1" option, but also establishes percentages (as opposed to set and specific dollar amounts) for the district and educator contributions.