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SRC Chair Bill Green, Mayor Michael Nutter, and Governor Tom Corbett have recently said that the reason they decided to impose contract terms on the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers is because, unlike other school districts in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia teachers do not contribute toward health care. Philadelphia teachers, they claim, have not sacrificed enough for the children of Philadelphia.
The number Green, Nutter, Corbett, and the SRC have been throwing around is that it will only cost Philadelphia teachers 5-13% of the insurance premium, or approximately $25-$75 a month - a reasonable request. What they fail to mention, however, is that that particular quote is for a single individual under a high deductible plan. Under the District’s new benefits, the SRC is now eliminating their previously cheaper Keystone HMO 15 $0 deductible plan. The new standard plan, Personal Choice 320, has higher deductibles and only covers 90% of inpatient hospital costs. This move deceptively forces teachers to “buy-up” to the Personal Choice 20/30/70 plan, which costs $24,239.64 per year ($2019.97 x 12).
For someone who earns $55,000, the resulting $6319 yearly premium amounts to a 26% contribution (not 13% as quoted in the papers) and is, in fact, a 11.5% pay-cut for a Philadelphia teacher earning $55,000. If, God forbid, you have a spouse who works and would like to add them to your plan, it adds up to an astounding $8139 premium, or a 34% contribution resulting in a nearly 15% pay cut.
For someone who earns $55,000, the resulting $6319 yearly premium amounts to a 26% contribution (not 13% as quoted in the papers) and is, in fact, a 11.5% pay-cut for a Philadelphia teacher earning $55,000. If, God forbid, you have a spouse who works and would like to add them to your plan, it adds up to an astounding $8139 premium, or a 34% contribution resulting in a nearly 15% pay cut.
So what about those teachers in other schools that already pay towards their health care? How do Philadelphia teachers compare? Are Philadelphia teachers, as SRC Chair Bill Green stated, on par with them?
I decided to research what teachers who earn $55,000 in other districts pay towards their health care for a $0 deductible family plan (including spouse), and here are my findings:
DISTRICT
|
CONTRIBUTION
|
ANNUAL
CONTRIBUTION
|
MAXIMUM SALARY
|
SOURCES
| |
Centennial
|
$61 a month
|
$732
|
$87,237
|
$111,867
| |
Lower Merion
|
2.2% of salary
|
$1,210
|
$92,161
|
$120,393
| |
Wissahickon
|
14% of premium
|
$3,393
|
$81,412
|
$112,376
| |
Council Rock
|
16% of premium
|
$3,878
|
$91,138
|
$107,469
| |
Neshaminy
|
16% of premium
|
$3,878
|
$79,563
|
$107,469
| |
Central Bucks
|
16% of premium
|
$3,878
|
$75,141
|
$109,596
| |
Lower Moreland
|
6% of premium
|
$1,454
|
$82,415
|
$105,612
| |
Tredyffrin/Easttown
|
11% of premium
|
$2,666
|
$81,394
|
$111,900
| |
PHILADELPHIA
|
26% of premium
34% of premium
|
$6,319 or
$8,139 (spouse)
|
$70,307
|
$90,051
|
*(Note: I researched over 20 districts, and while all the numbers are remarkably consistent with these findings, I only chose to include those districts that actually have their contracts posted online so that readers know the data is 100% accurate.)
Thanks for putting it into perspective.
ReplyDeleteWhy does Dr. Hite pay less than the teachers?
DeleteThe maximum salary is if you are senior career, which the district did away with. I would be curious to see what the max is nowadays.
DeleteNow perhaps you'd like to compare those numbers to the contributions, deductibles and co-pays of private sector taxpayers who do not have any children in any school. That might give you a bit of perspective, indeed.
ReplyDeletethen join a union if you want good wages and benefits and stop complaining about what union members make. also if you would like to compare apples to apples compare teachers to other highly educated private sector employees. because that comparison would show that teachers are grossly underpaid to equivalently educated private sector employees
DeleteI don't have any children in any school and yet I pay taxes! What difference does it make if a person is a private sector or not? My father who was in the private sector had to pay taxes both for our home and his store and he didn't send us to public schools so he had to also pay our tuition. I do not ever remember hearing him complain. He knew it was for the good of the entire public.
DeletePrivate sector context. Would you be happy to receive an 11.5% pay cut? Would you also be happy with the fact that they removed your computer and had you work with a pad of paper and an abacus? All while your are told that you are failing the customers because of many reasons that are out of your control including an unsafe work environment?
DeleteWould you take it quietly? If so then you are a bigger man than me?
Keep in mind teachers work 180-190 days, with sick days and a handful of personal days off a year, as well as the entire summer off, and all major holidays. Most private sector employees work 260 days, have 2 - 3 weeks vacation, and 5-7 paid holidays, and work all summer...Just sayin'
DeleteThat 180 day example is such an old, tired argument. Maybe you need to talk to a real teacher and get some perspective. My guess is you couldn't handle being a teacher. Being a teacher is so much more than the time spent in the class room.
DeleteQuite a few people have spoken to me about their health insurance plans recently. While they all pay, their contributions are actually less than what I am being asked to pay just to maintain the coverage I had. They also have spouses and children on their plans and don't have to pay a surcharge every pay period to do so. I think the School District of Philadelphia should at least be honest when they mentioned teachers in surrounding districts are required to pay into their healthcare. Why didn't they compare SDP teachers to teachers in similar urban areas?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update - I work as a professor and have to pay for my insurance, as well as a copay and deductible but the cost of the insurance is nowhere near the percentage the teachers would have to pay.
ReplyDeleteSo much for affordable care act. My husband's private sector plan will go up for us anywhere from 20 - 40% for a plan that we love but is now deemed unacceptable. Good luck with your fight we feel your pain, again so much for affordable!
ReplyDeleteTHE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ATTACKING THE UNIONS FOR YEARS FIRE TEACHERS WORKERS ALL GETTING BENEFITS TAKEN AWAY VOTE OUT THE MANAGEMENT, WHOSE BENEFITS ARE AUTOMATIC GIVEN
ReplyDeleteThis article is well stated. No one is asking for sympathy, just understanding that the SRC has now given itself corporation status and undermined worker trust. We are a two teacher SDP family and two of my children are aspiring towards the education field. One in school psychology and the other in middle years. At one time, my wife and I really touted the education life and what being a public servant in Philadlephia had to offer. We all knew we made less than others but the benefits package made up for it, we knew it. Now, we are being vilified for not paying "our share" Well, I've pad my share by earning 20% less than counterparts for years. Wouldn't tell my kids to work for the School District of Philadelphia if you paid me! lol.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the Affordable Health Care Act. Which most of you supported the person who implemented it. Quit blaming other people for this "cheaper" Health Care. Try getting it on your own if you think it will be cheaper.
ReplyDeleteACA is not relevant to the topic at hand.
DeleteTeachers should do what other people who get screwed by their employers do. They should quit and get different jobs. If they were professionals that would be what they would do.
ReplyDelete