Suit challenges part of Mich. school retiree plan
LANSING, Mich.—Five members of the state's largest teachers union have filed a lawsuit challenging part of Michigan's new law related to the public school employee retirement system.
The union said the suit doesn't challenge a provision that gives slightly higher pension benefits to school employees who retire this summer. At least 17,000 school employees have applied for the retirement incentive and have informed the state they plan to retire this summer.
The expected retirement wave is the major reason state officials project schools statewide could save more than $500 million in the first year of the program. But the longer-term, more stable savings behind the plan relies heavily on the higher contributions to retiree health plans from employees who remain on the job.
The suit claims the contribution provision violates the contract formed when the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System was set up in 1980. The
Hawaii passes law mandating 180-day school year
Pittsburgh teachers, schools hail 5-year contract
Hawaii passes law mandating 180-day school year
A new Hawaii law enacted Tuesday requires at least 180 school days a year as the state tries to shed its reputation for having the shortest amount of instructional time in the nation.
Pittsburgh teachers, schools hail 5-year contract
Call it collaborative bargaining. When the Pittsburgh Public Schools and its teachers' union began talks last year for a new contract, the tone was decidedly different from the usual collective bargaining process. Tense face-to-face meetings, lawyers and demands were replaced with a weekend retreat at a downtown hotel, input from principals and teachers, and discussions.