Flashback -- 3 years ago -- A gravy train & a question that was never answered -- Why did they support Dyer?

Canton Repository, July 29, 2003

OEA should tell members why it backs STRS director

As a teacher, and the spouse of a recently retired teacher, I greatly appreciate The Repository’s attention to the obvious abuses perpetrated by the State Teachers Retirement System leadership, and the negligence of the offices of state Auditor Betty Montgomery and Attorney General James Petro.

I am writing to thank The Repository, and to urge teachers to remember also that our union, the Ohio Education Association, needs to shoulder some responsibility for financial abuses

OEA cooperated to make sure Michael Billirakis’ contract was shifted from his home district to a higher-paying district where he neither lives nor works. This costs taxpayers who pay this salary, and will cost STRS more when he retires, since the pension amount is based on salary received. (Wouldn’t all teachers like this deal — OEA subsidizes moving our contracts to higher-paying districts while we remain in our current schools.)

I believe all working teachers should question and demand a response to why OEA supported STRS Director Herbert Dyer. Could it be that OEA officials don’t want to ruin their chances of becoming STRS officials and losing the opportunity to become part of the STRS “gravy train”?

We teachers are owed an explanation from the association we pay to protect us and look out for our best interests.

ROBERT E. CAIRNS

CANTON