Negotiations Update

As a follow up to last weeks benefits meetings, we would like to provide you with the following three pieces of information: We have gotten clear direction from the membership. However, we can not give you the results of the survey at this time, as it may taint the negotiations process. We will provide you with the results in the future. A number of people have requested a copy of the tentative Faculty proposal. F/A has given us permission to send it out to our membership. Following are the four conditions that we presented in our information meetings: "As part of this proposal to significantly reduce the cost of health benefits, FA proposes a two-year agreement and four conditions:

1. That the monthly contribution rates as specified in Option 4 remain fixed for 2010-2011 and 2011-12;
    
2. That the trended increase for 2011-2012 be funded through the Fund 61 rate stabilization monies;
    
3. That any "health benefit savings" produced during the two years be allocated to the Fund 61 rate stabilization account;
    
4. That the two year agreement sunset at the end of PY 2011-12, at which time the plans will "reset" to "0" employee monthly contributions for Kaiser and the EPO plans.
    
   For the 2012-13 year, backfill monies are expected, and at that time employee groups can determine the best allocation of those funds, i.e., toward salary and/or benefits. This will also give us the opportunity to see how the federal health plan that is now being developed will impact our current District health plans."

A number of people asked if 10 and 11 month employees would be responsible for 12 monthly contributions, under the benefits proposal that we presented. The answer is yes, all employees would be responsible for 12 monthly contributions, regardless of how many months their contract is for. We thank all of you who attended the meetings and hope that you were able to get your questions answered. Sincerely, ACE Negotiations Team