Did the OEA say.......

“This memo is for your information. It is not to be distributed or forwarded.”

http://ohiopsu.squarespace.com/
[See 9/2/10 post]

From John Curry, September 3, 2010

STRS FLASHBACK - 7 years ago - Supers spar and Michael agrees with Dennis!

From John Curry, September 2, 2010

Leone said Thursday morning, “The more I think about it, I think that all three (Perry, STRS and Billirakis) are equal partners to the problem. I think this whole deal smells really bad.”

Billirakis said Thursday he agreed with Leone. He asked Perry schools to stop billing STRS in January. He said neither Perry nor STRS should pay for his salary if he’s not teaching.

Canton Repository, September 5, 2003

Superintendents spar over board member’s pay

By PAUL E. KOSTYU Copley Columbus Bureau chief

COLUMBUS — Two superintendents accused each other of breaking the law in an argument related to the State Teachers Retirement System.

Chillicothe Superintendent Dennis Leone accused the Perry Local Schools in Lake County of fraud for billing STRS for the lost services of STRS board member Michael N. Billirakis, who has been on Perry’s payroll in name only for the past two years.

Leone later retracted his accusation, but still said Perry schools should not have billed STRS more than $33,000 during the last two years to pay part of Billirakis’ salary.

Perry Superintendent Tim Berkey said the charge was “absolutely unfounded.” He accused Leone of violating Ohio law by using taxpayers’ money to pursue a personal, political battle not in the interest of the Chillicothe district.

The two superintendents duked it out in an hour-long phone conversation Wednesday night.

The issue, however, may now be moot. Billirakis said Thursday he agreed with Leone. He asked Perry schools to stop billing STRS in January. He said neither Perry nor STRS should pay for his salary if he’s not teaching.

Billirakis said the National Education Association, where he is an executive committee member, will reimburse Perry for the portion of his salary the union has not covered the past two years. Then, he said, Perry will reimburse STRS.

Billirakis said his pay this year will come entirely from NEA, where his full-time position keeps him on the road in and out of Ohio most of the year. Billirakis said he will initiate a change in board policy this month about how STRS reimburses districts.

“I’ve found board members are all over the place in how they’re charging,” he said.

Districts with employees on the STRS board are allowed to bill the pension fund for the cost of hiring a substitute or replacement for the days missed because of board business.

Billirakis has not been in a classroom since 1988, when he became an officer in the Ohio Education Association, the state’s largest teacher union. In 2001 when he was named an NEA executive, Billirakis moved his teaching contract to Perry schools from a lower-paying district in Portage County. Doing so improved Billirakis’ benefits when he retires. Perry lists his salary, including benefits, at $101,820. Billirakis lives in Pickerington, southeast of Columbus, while Lake County is east of Cleveland.

Berkey said Billirakis, a social-studies teacher, is on a “leave of absence” and “does not perform any work for Perry.”

Leone questioned how Billirakis could be on leave from a position that never existed or he never filled.

“It’s fraud to get reimbursement,” Leone said.

Leone said Thursday morning, “The more I think about it, I think that all three (Perry, STRS and Billirakis) are equal partners to the problem. I think this whole deal smells really bad.”

Damon Asbury, interim executive director of STRS, did not return a phone call for comment Thursday.

Leone said his school district’s attorney said he has not violated any law in his campaign for accountability. “I don’t want my district’s (retirement) contribution to go up because of misspending by STRS,” Leone said.

“A school administrator should not be taking taxpayers’ dollars to pursue a political issue,” Berkey said. “This is not a school district issue.”

RH Jones and Meredythe Flynn: Some words of appreciation for CORE

From RH Jones, September 1, 2010
Subject: Fw: Thank you from several of us down here...

To our CORE,

At least somebody out there likes us and what we are doing to try to save our COLA from those who are working so terribly hard to take 1% from us. Retired educators have given up enough already. It's now time that others "paid the piper', not us retired STRS members, especially the eldest ones.

God bless all CORE members and keep up the fight. Retired educators must be treated fairly. Since Enron, we have needed strong representation from our unions with the exception of CORE, we didn't have it. Had we a strong representation, there would not have been a need to create CORE in the first place.

RHJones, a CORE charter member

From Meredythe Flynn, September 1, 2010
Subject: Thank you from several of us down here...

Mr. Jones,

I and others similarly situated thank you for all that you do to more us forward toward being vocal about retirement situations currently being considered. None of us knows exactly what will be, no crystal balls for sale these days, but you are right about the brave men and women in CORE.

Cheers, blessings,
Meredythe Flynn
Cincinnati

The average striking labor staff rep. makes about $10,000 more than the average Ohio school-district superintendent? You don't say!

From John Curry, September 1, 2010

Most of the 110 striking workers - all members of the OEA's Professional Staff Union - earn more than $100,000 a year, according to reports filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. For instance, labor-relations consultants - who make up about 80 percent of the striking workers - were paid an average salary of $111,350 in 2009.

That is about $10,000 more than the average Ohio school-district superintendent made last school year, and more than double what the average teacher made, according to the state statistics.

(Click image to enlarge.)

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/09/01/01-strike.html?sid=101

Teachers union has labor trouble of its own

Negotiators picket Ohio Education Association over contract disputes

Columbus Dispatch, September 1, 2010
By Catherine Candisky

Ohio's largest teachers union is having labor problems of its own.

Labor-relations consultants, who help local teachers unions negotiate contracts with school districts, and other employees of the Ohio Education Association walked off the job this morning.

One striking worker was treated at the hospital after suffering minor injuries when he was struck by a car while picketing outside OEA's Downtown offices on E. Broad Street.

Most of the 110 striking workers - all members of the OEA's Professional Staff Union - earn more than $100,000 a year, according to reports filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. For instance, labor-relations consultants - who make up about 80 percent of the striking workers - were paid an average salary of $111,350 in 2009.

That is about $10,000 more than the average Ohio school-district superintendent made last school year, and more than double what the average teacher made, according to the state statistics.

Contract negotiations between the OEA and its Professional Staff Union broke down Monday afternoon; no additional meetings are scheduled.

"OEA officers and managers need to practice what they preach. It's a pretty high form of hypocrisy for OEA officers and managers to be giving us this treatment when they expect us to protect OEA members from the same treatment out in the schools," said Norm Young, president of the Professional Staff Union.

Young said the workers are dealing with the same issues they help teachers deal with - protecting pensions, health-care benefits, job security, workload and compensation.

The Professional Staff Union represents 110 OEA workers - 83 labor-relations consultants and 27 administrative staff employees.

OEA officials said they respect the collective bargaining rights of the union, including its right to strike.

"We are disappointed we could not complete negotiations before the PSU contract expired. OEA is ready to meet at any time to resolve our remaining issues," said OEA President Patricia Frost-Brooks.

Contract talks began in May and a federal mediator has assisted since July.

The association represents more than 130,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in schools, colleges and universities. The union has 220 employees in its Columbus headquarters and field offices across the state.

Dispatch reporter Bill Bush contributed to this story.

ccandisky@dispatch.com

The latest re: the OEA ...the automobile that struck a picketer.....

From John Curry, September 1, 2010

http://ohiopsu.squarespace.com/

'A pretty high form of hypocrisy for OEA officers and managers'

From John Curry, September 1, 2010

“It’s a pretty high form of hypocrisy for OEA officers and managers to be giving us this treatment when they expect us to protect OEA members from the same treatment out in the schools.”

~ Norm Young, President of PSU

~ ~ ~

http://www.theotherpaper.com/articles/2010/09/01/front/doc4c7ed6954ba66877248838.txt

How employees of a union strike . . . a union?

BY LYNDSEY TETER
The Other Paper, September 1, 2010

Click images to enlarge.

On Tuesday, Michele Prater, spokeswoman for the Ohio Education Association, was in a strange predicament: She couldn’t speak for the management.

Although that’s normally her full-time job, the media relations consultant couldn’t comment on a potential strike at her workplace. That’s because if a deal wasn’t struck between her bosses and her union representation, she would be out on the picket lines Wednesday morning. Prater is one of 109 employees represented by the Professional Staff Union (PSU) who exercised their right to strike against the OEA at midnight Tuesday.

So, if you’re keeping score at home, half the 220 employees who work at the Ohio Education Association, the state’s largest teacher’s union, just went on strike.

“It’s just plain embarrassing for us, and probably for many OEA members, that we have to be put in this situation of a union striking a union,” said Norm Young, president of PSU, in a written statement.

“Our PSU members have to deal regularly with difficult school boards and school administrators around the state. It’s as if OEA officers and administrators think they have to impersonate the worst of them in the way they treat us. It’s simply the rankest form of hypocrisy,” said Young.

But for an organization apparently embattled in a bitter feud with half its workers, the OEA’s higher-ups did not hit back. Hell, they didn’t even object to the charges.

“I appreciate his comments and respect the rights of the PSU to the collective bargaining process,” said OEA Communications Director Mike Mahoney, echoing from his suddenly-more-spacious offices Downtown.

“We’re very hopeful that we can resolve these disagreements and get back to work. We’re ready to get back to the bargaining table.”

Piling on the sweetness, Mahoney added, “These are highly valued employees. They are very capable and professional, and we are confident we can continue to work with them.”

Officials from the OEA are playing by the unwritten union handbook to the word, respecting and honoring the collective bargaining principles—including an employee’s right to strike.

And they’re not bringing in scabs to do the work that’s piling up.

“We don’t intend to bring in other employees. The managerial employees we have here will provide services to members and local associations to the best of our abilities,” Mahoney said. “Obviously, we won’t be able to deliver the same level of services,” as OEA did with a full roster.

The PSA union includes 22 members who work in OEA’s East Broad Street headquarters and 87 members scattered in 25 field offices around the state. Those employees serve the 130,000 OEA members—mostly K-12 teachers, as well as bus drivers and higher education faculty members—as they bargain their own contracts with districts and universities around Ohio.

Now the job is left to a workforce split in half. “It’s a terrible time to have to be put in this position of striking,” said one picketer who asked not be named.

Not only are teachers around the state bargaining and needing consultation and representation, but “We’ve got an election coming up, and who you think organizes the groundwork for the Strickland campaign?”

Mahoney conceded that the OEA, as an organization, is a strong supporter of Team Strickland and that the members are “staunch advocates for re-election of the governor.”

Mahoney wouldn’t speculate how the strike could interfere with the November campaign. He stopped short of saying the Strickland campaign would be fine, even with 100 or so of its field commanders sitting out on strike, saying only, “It’s important that our 130,000 members continue to support the Strickland administration.”

The Strickland campaign had this to say about the strike: “No comment.”

But aren’t PSU members shooting themselves in the foot if they sit back and let Kasich keep his 8-point lead (which, by the way, he had in the most recent Rasmussen poll.)

“That’s a question for the OEA officials, who put us in this position to strike,” said PSU spokeswoman Amber Kirkwood.

But what about all those teachers out there who rely on OEA’s services? Doesn’t the PSU feel bad for letting them twist in the wind?

Folks on the picket line contend their hands were forced.

“I love my job and I respect OEA members. It’s sad that I’m on strike,” Kirkwood said.

The larger grievance, however, would have been to sit idle.

“When a union attacks the very basics of union values, sometimes you are forced to strike,” she said.

PSU filed an unfair labor charge in July with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that OEA had refused to bargain in good faith and, at times, had refused to bargain at all.

Although no one wants to talk officially, the beef between the two entities appears to be one centering on the $8 billion hole in the state budget. The OEA is funded by dues paid by educators—and although membership has remained steady during the economic downturn, it’s hard to say how the organization’s ranks might fare next year if cuts are made.

The OEA is sort of counting on that rainy day.

“The budget crisis could pose significant cuts in public education, which could affect jobs of our members and their ability to pay us dues,” Mahoney said. “This affects our ability to commit to a multi-year contract.”

The PSU requests include increases to salary, benefits and pension, Mahoney said. Thus far the OEA has, for the most part, managed to avoid the reductions, pay freezes, layoffs and furloughs that have plagued other industries.

Kirkwood said the OEA is playing hardball and that contracts allow for adjustments if and when cuts in membership occur.

This is not the first time the two entities have squared off. The current one-year PSU contract was settled just hours before a strike deadline a year ago, union officials said.

Records from the National Labor Relations Board show that half a dozen complaints have been filed and pulled or settled by PSU.

The union for the union is not toning down its rhetoric anytime soon.

“It’s a pretty high form of hypocrisy for OEA officers and managers to be giving us this treatment when they expect us to protect OEA members from the same treatment out in the schools,” said Young, PSU’s president.

“We run training programs to help our local leaders around the state cope with this same nonsense.”

Hopefully, the training programs are good. If not, the federal mediator who has assisted the talks since early July will continue to sit at the bargaining table.

More on the OEA situation in Columbus....film footage...is the OEA "practicing what they preach" with their employees?

From John Curry, September 1, 2010

http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2010/sep/01/oea-workers-strikelabor-relations-employees-want-b-ar-218726/

OEA Flashback - 13 Years Ago - This isn't the first time the OEA has had labor problems! Let's go back to 1997!

From John Curry, September 1, 2010

http://www.eiaonline.com/intercepts/2010/03/23/from-the-vault-september-12-1997/

From the Vault: September 12, 1997

The following is the EIA Communiqué for September 12, 1997:

+ The staff unions for both the Lousiana Association of Educators (LAE) and the Ohio Education Association (OEA) have been on strike since Labor Day against their teacher union bosses. Picketers marched in front of the OEA building in Columbus carrying signs that read “A Labor Union on Strike Against a Labor Union on Labor Day.” The gyrations of these stories are hard to follow, so bear with me.The Columbus Education Association is involved in a bitter contract negotiation with the Columbus School District. So OEA UniServ consultant Rick Logan has agreed to continue to assist the Columbus EA. But by doing so, he is “scabbing” the Ohio Professional Staff Union to which he belongs (probably with its consent). Meanwhile, secretaries at the Columbus EA have joined the picket line, prompting the Columbus EA to ask members for “your patience as we utilize temporary help.”

Apparently OEA presented a contract with 40 “take backs” to the staff union. The staff union also alleges that OEA “walked away from the table” after presenting this offer. OEA President Mike Billirakis has reportedly been quoted as saying he is willing to lose 30,000 members, if necessary, before he gives in. In OEA’s defense, the average OEA staff cash/benefits package (including “management”) is worth $87,582.

PSU's "Hall of Shame!"

http://ohiopsu.squarespace.com/hall-of-shame/

Wanna know more about the OEA strike from the vantage point of their employees?

From John Curry, September 1, 2010

Click on the link below!
John

http://ohiopsu.squarespace.com/

How 'bout this, OEA?

From John Curry, September 1, 2010

http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2010/sep/01/least-1-picketer-arrested-outside-oea-building-ar-218473/

At Least 1 Picketer Arrested Outside OEA Building Union On Strike Against Ohio Teachers Union

NBC 4
By Associated Press & Donna Willis
Published: September 1, 2010

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Union workers are on strike against another union, the largest representing teachers in the state.

The Ohio Education Association said members of the Professional Staff Union (PSU), representing about half its 220 employees, went on strike early Wednesday, when the previous contract expired.

The contract expired at 12:01 Wednesday.

At least 30 picketers were at the OEA building at 225 E. Broad St. at about 8 a.m. Wednesday morning.

People were picketing at the back and the front of the building.

Picketers apparently were attempting to stop vehicles from coming into the parking lot.

Columbus officers told NBC 4 the picketers are allowed on the sidewalk but aren't allowed to physically keep people out of the building.

At least one person was arrested at OEA Wednesday morning.

OEA President Patricia Frost-Brooks said in a statement the association is disappointed an agreement was not reached in time to keep the PSU from walking out. She said the OEA is willing to meet at any time to resolve the remaining issues.

Professional Staff Union President Norm Young said his side is concerned about pensions, health care benefits, job security and workloads.

PRESS RELEASE FROM PSU

Employees of the Ohio Education Association, Ohio’s largest teacher union, are set to be on strike at midnight tonight if a new contract is not reached by then. The 109 professional employees of OEA work in a Columbus headquarters and in 25 field offices in Ohio. Negotiation between OEA representatives and negotiators from the Professional Staff Union (PSU) met all day Monday and today before breaking for PSU negotiators to meet with its members at 5:00 p.m.

PSU president Norm Young said after the PSU meeting, “We had nothing to present to our members at the end of the day, so they are headed home and to the picket lines tomorrow morning. Actually, our pickets will start tonight at the Columbus headquarters.” Young is a 26-year OEA employee. After the PSU meeting, negotiation resumed tonight under the guidance of a federal mediator.

Another OEA union, the Ohio Associate Staff Union, representing the remainder of OEA’s non-management employees, reached a tentative agreement late Monday afternoon. Details of the settlement will not be released until the union’s members vote on it.

Both unions had voted unanimously earlier in August to strike if no new contracts were reached when their contracts expired today.

Most of the PSU members work in OEA field offices assisting local OEA affiliates in their own contract talks with school boards.

Young said, “OEA officers and managers need to practice what they preach. It’s a pretty high form of hypocrisy for OEA officers and managers to be giving us this treatment when they expect us to protect OEA members from the same treatment out in the schools. I’ll say it again, it’s embarrassing. We run training programs to help our local leaders around the state cope with this same nonsense.”

Young added, “We can’t negotiate in the public, but it’s safe to say that our issues in dispute are very similar to the issues with which we help OEA members everyday all over Ohio. We are trying to protect our pensions, our health care benefits, our job security; we’re trying to keep our workload under control; and we want fair treatment regarding our pay and other compensation matters.

The contract talks began May 20. A federal mediator has assisted the talks since early July. The union filed an unfair labor practice charge in July with the National Labor Relations Board over the union’s claim that OEA was refusing to negotiate.

OEA staffers on strike, picket OEA building

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/09/01/01-strike.html?sid=101

Union on strike against Ohio teachers union

The Columbus Dispatch, September 1, 2010

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Union workers are on strike in Ohio against another union, the largest representing teachers in the state.

The Ohio Education Association says members of a union representing half its 220 employees went on strike early Wednesday, when the previous contract expired.

OEA President Patricia Frost-Brooks says in a statement that the association is disappointed an agreement was not reached in time to keep the Professional Staff Union from walking out. She says the OEA is willing to meet at any time to resolve the remaining issues.

Professional Staff Union President Norm Young says his side is concerned about pensions, health care benefits, job security and workloads.

It's pretty sad when the OEA can't even settle the differences with its very own staff, isn't it?

From John Curry, September 1, 2010

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/professional-staff-union-of-ohio-education-association-now-on-strike-101949343.html

Professional Staff Union of Ohio Education Association Now on Strike

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ohio Education Association reported this morning that it has not been able to reach an agreement with the Professional Staff Union (PSU), representing 110 of the OEA's 220 employees.

Earlier, OEA was able to reach a tentative two-year agreement with the Ohio Associate Staff Union (OASU), representing about 85 technical, administrative and clerical employees of OEA.

OEA representatives said they respect the collective bargaining rights of OEA staff belonging to PSU, including the right to strike.

OEA President Patricia Frost-Brooks said in a statement:

"We are disappointed we could not complete negotiations before the PSU contract expired. OEA is ready to meet at any time to resolve our remaining issues."

The Ohio Education Association represents 130,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio's public schools, colleges and universities.

SOURCE Ohio Education Association

What emergency stimulus monies will YOUR SCHOOL receive?

To find out, click on the link below (a Toledo Blade article) and scroll on down in the body of the article. You will find an area where you can enter your school's information (or county) to see the amount of stimulus funds coming your way. Will your school use these funds to hire back those laid off educators? Will your school administrators "bad mouth" the stimulus program AND STILL TAKE THE FUNDS????? They wouldn't be that hypocritical, would they?

Any way, here's the link.

John

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100831/NEWS04/100839948

From John Curry, August 31, 2010

RTA members dropping memberships because of new (and very expensive) ORTA membership requirement now being pushed on them

Lenora Wood to John Curry, August 28, 2010
Subject: RE: Anybody interested in this one?

JOHN

WHEN WE LEARNED THAT SCRTA MEMBERS MUST JOIN ORTA IN A PACKAGE DEAL WE CANCELLED OUR MEMBERSHIPS AND ARE EXPECTING OUR DUES MONIES RETURNED. WE VOICED OUR OPPOSITION TO THIS MERGER OVER THE PHONE BUT WERE LATER TOLD THAT ONLY THOSE ATTENDING THE LUNCHEON MEETING COULD VOTE. WE AND MANY OTHERS COULD NOT ATTEND FOR VARIOUS REASONS. ONLY A FEW PEOPLE ACTUALLY ATTEND. IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT TWO OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS ARE ORTA OFFICERS. BOB DENGLER IS ORTA PRESIDENT AND BLIN SCATTERDAY IS THEIR PAST PRESIDENT. I GOT INTO A BIT OF A CONFRONTATION A FEW YEARS WHEN I SPOKE ON THE FLOOR IN FAVOR OF JOINING C.O.R.E., TOOK MEMBERSHIPS AND HANDED C.O.R.E. MEMBERSHIP FORMS OUT TO EVERYONE. ALSO, YOU NO DOUBT KNOW THAT ORTA HAS RAISED ITS DUES BEGINNING DECEMBER 16. www.summitcountyta.org IS SCRTA'S WEBSITE

LEN AND CHUCK WOOD

ORTA HAS DONE NOTHING TO HELP RETIREES (FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS.) PERHAPS YOU CAN INCLUDE A PERSONAL STATEMENT ABOUT THIS. ALSO WHY DOES ORTA NEED MORE MONEY? FROM $300 TO $500 FOR LIFETIME MEMBERSHIPS. THAT'S QUITE A BUNCH.

From John Curry, August 27, 2010
Subject: Anybody interested in this one?

http://www.thesuburbanite.com/newsnow/x1395628684/Retired-educators-invited-to-meeting

The Suburbanite, August 27, 2010

Akron, Ohio — All retired educators of Summit County and surrounding areas are invited to attend the next S.C.R.T.A (Summit County Retired Teachers Association) meeting at noon on Sept. 7. It will be held at Guy’s Party Center, 500 E. Waterloo Rd., Akron. Following the luncheon, attendees will hear James McGreevy, vice chair of the State Teachers Retirement System and also Retired Teachers representative. Karen Butt, the present elect of ORTA will also be there to answer question regarding the newly combined SCRTA-ORTA membership rules. Cost of the luncheon is $11. Reservations must be in by Wednesday, Sept. 1. For more information, please contact Ricky Winter at 330-644-6886.

When those in glass houses throw stones!

From John Curry, August 31, 2010

"... the teachers union is behaving as badly as the worst school boards and school administrators in negotiations with teachers."

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9HUKH5G0.htm

Union threatens strike against Ohio teachers union

Bloomberg Businessweek, August 31, 2010
COLUMBUS, Ohio
(AP)

Scores of people who work for Ohio's largest teachers union are threatening to go on strike.

Non-management employees of the Ohio Education Association say they'll walk out Wednesday if they don't have a new contract to replace one that's expiring.

The Professional Staff Union, or PSU, says in a statement that the possibility of its 109 members going on strike against the other union is embarrassing. But PSU president Norm Young says the teachers union is behaving as badly as the worst school boards and school administrators in negotiations with teachers.

The Ohio Education Association did not immediately return a message seeking comment. The talks with the employees' union were continuing on Tuesday.

Dennis Leone: Nancy is correct -- 73% of the solution for preserving pension solvency falls on the shoulders of retirees

From Dennis Leone, August 31, 2010
Subject: Re: Fwd: Response to August 13, 2010 STRS Letter
......in other words, Nancy is correct -- 73% of the solution for preserving pension solvency falls on the shoulders of retirees, period. And there really is no good answer for why things like changing the 3-year Final Avg Salary to a 5-year FAS can't start before 2015. No one seemed to mind immediately stopping the 13th check and health insurance for spouses in 2002. And no one on the Board seems to mind starting the COLA reduction in 2011. It seems that it is more important for the Board to protect actives as long as possible. Interesting also, if one thinks about it, was how the Board voted in 1999 to help actives immediately by starting the 35-year/88-percent benefit in 2000. There wasn't any 4-year or 5-year waiting period for that one, no sir. How sweet it was to retire between 2000 and 2010 with 35 years. Too bad for those who retired before 2000 and too bad for those will retire beginning in 2011. The "haves" and the "have nots."
Dennis Leone

(Hamant to Ecklar) Fw: Response to August 13, 2010 STRS Letter

Nancy Hamant to Laura Ecklar, August 31, 2010
CC: NehfM@strsoh.org, HaydenT@strsoh.org, craig_brooks@sbcglobal.net, BurchR@strsoh.org, tmyers@bright.net, jmcgree@columbus.rr.com, correthersc@strsoh.org, deborah.deslisle@ode.state.oh.us, MartinD@strsoh.org, bobstein@bobstein.us, HillMA@strsoh.org, priced@strsoh.org
Subj: Re: Response to August 13, 2010 STRS Letter
(See letter here)

Dear Ms. Ecklar:

Thank you for sending information regarding the actuarial valuation process for the STRS Pension fund.

Without a doubt, the proposed COLA reductions for current and future retirees is the "most significant of all the levers the board evaluated"--$6.6 Billion (COLA reduction) of the $9 Billion (total) proposed to address the STRS Pension Fund's unfunded liability. The $6.6 Billion COLA reduction to current and future retirees amounts to 73% of the amount needed to reduce the unfunded liability.

Therefore, $2.4 Billion is the amount to be generated by the other four levers: 1. an increase in contributions;
2. an increase in final average salary years; 3. a change in eligibility for retirement; and 4. a change in the benefit formula (benefit enhancement). A breakdown of the savings (or costs) for each of these four levers within the $2.4 Billion is important in understanding the effectiveness of each.

Also, the reduction to the COLA is the only proposed lever to be started in 2011. What is the cost to rescuing the unfunded liability of the STRS Pension Fund due to the other levers not starting until
2015?

As I stated in my letter/email of Aug. 25, 2010, the STRS Pension Fund unfunded liability absolutely must be resolved. However, it must be resolved equitably for all STRS members.

Again, thank you for your explanations.

Sincerely,
Nancy B. Hamant

I see OPERS, I see SERS, why don't I see STRS on this list?

From John Curry, August 31, 2010

STRS where are you? I was under the impression that you were one of the first applicants.

John

http://www.healthcare.gov/law/provisions/retirement/states/oh.html

Early Retiree Reinsurance Program: Ohio

Rising health care costs have made it difficult for employers to provide quality, affordable health insurance for workers and retirees while also remaining competitive in the global marketplace. The percentage of large firms providing workers with retiree health coverage has dropped from 66 percent in 1988 to 29 percent in 2009.1 Health insurance premiums for older Americans are over four times more expensive than they are for young adults,2 and the deductible these enrollees pay is, on average, almost four times that for a typical employer-sponsored insurance plan.3

The Affordable Care Act creates a new program called the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program to help address this challenge that employers and older employees are facing. The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program provides $5 billion in financial assistance to employers and unions to help them maintain coverage for early retirees age 55 and older who are not yet eligible for Medicare.

Businesses, other employers, and unions that are accepted into the program will receive reimbursement for medical claims for early retirees and their spouses, surviving spouses, and dependents. Savings can be used to reduce employer health care costs, provide premium relief to workers and families, or both. Applicants who are approved into the program receive reinsurance for the claims of high-cost retirees and their families (80 percent of the costs from $15,000 to $90,000). The program ends on January 1, 2014 when State health insurance Exchanges are up and running.

HHS has approved the following sponsors from Ohio. More applications are being approved each day.

•4th District IBEW Health Fund
•A. Schulman, Inc.,
•ABX Air, Inc.
•AK Steel Corporation
•American Electric Power Service Corporation
•American Financial Group, Inc.
•American Greetings Corporation
•Battelle Memorial Institute
•Board of Trustees Canton Electrical Welfare Fund
•Board of Trustees for the Building Laborers Local
•Board of Trustees for the Iron Workers Local 17 Insurance Fund
•Board of Trustees Insulators Local B4 Health Care Fund
•Bridgestone Americas, Inc.
•Carpenters Health Fund of West Virginia
•Chart Industries, Inc.
•Cincinnati Bell Inc.
•Cleveland Clinic Foundation
•Cognis Corporation
•Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc.
•Convergys Corporation
•Dana Non-Union Retiree VEBA Trust
•Dealer Computer Services, Inc.
•East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church
•Faurecia Exhaust Systems, Inc.
•First Citizens Banc Corp
•FirstEnergy Corp
•International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local No. 129 Health and Welfare Fund
•International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local No. 38 Health and Welfare Fund
•Iron Workers District Council of Southern Ohio & Vicinity Benefit Trust
•John Maneely Company
•Jones Day
•Kao America Inc.
•KeyCorp
•Macy's, Inc.
•Marathon Oil Company
•Marietta Memorial Hospital
•Marlite Inc.
•Medical Mutual of Ohio
•Moen Incorporated
•Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
•NewPage Corporation
•NewPage Wisconsin System, Inc.
•Nordson Corporation
•Nordson Corporation
•Novelis Corporation
•Ohio Laborers' District Council - Ohio Contractors
•Ohio Operating Engineers Health & Welfare Plan
•Owens Corning
•Parker Hannifin Corp
•PCC Airfoils, LLC
•Pilkington North America, Inc.
•Pipefitters #120 Insurance Fund
•Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 189 Health & Welfare Fund
•Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 219
•Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 94 Health & Welfare Plan
•Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 42 Health & Welfare Fund
•Plumbers & Steamfitters Local Union No. 396
•Plumbers Union Local 55 Health & Welfare
•Plumbers, Pipefitters & Mechanical Equipment Service Local 392
•Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio
•Robbins & Myers, Inc.
•School Employees Retirement System of Ohio
•Sheet Metal Workers Local 33 Youngstown District Health and Welfare Fund
•Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 110 Health Fund
•Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 33 Cleveland District
•State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company
•Teamsters Health & Welfare Fund Local 377
•Teamsters Local Union #348 Health & Welfare Fund
•Teamsters Union Local No. 52 Health & Welfare Fund
•The Lubrizol Corporation
•The Procter & Gamble Company
•The Sherwin-Williams Company
•The Timken Company
•The Western and Southern Life Insurance Company
•UFCW Unions' and Employers' Health and Welfare Plan
•Union Construction Workers Health Plan
•Union of Roofers Waterproofers & Allied Workers
•Youngstown Area Electrical Welfare Fund Trustees

[1] Kaiser / HRET. Employer Health Benefits: 2009 Survey.
[2] Center for Policy and Research. Individual Health Insurance 2009.
[3] Kaiser Family Foundation. 2010. Survey of People Who Purchase Their Own Insurance.

The OEA hard to deal with? Nawwww...that couldn't be, could it?

From John Curry, August 31, 2010

If they have difficulties settling with their very own employees.......how can retirees depend or rely on them?

John

http://www.fox8.com/news/sns-ap-oh--unionsworkers-strikethreat,0,1164073.story

Ohio's biggest teachers union threatened with walkout by its own employees

By Associated Press, August 31, 2010

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Scores of people who work for Ohio's largest teachers union are threatening to go on strike.

Non-management employees of the Ohio Education Association say they'll walk out Wednesday if they don't have a new contract to replace one that's expiring.

The Professional Staff Union, or PSU, says in a statement that the possibility of its 109 members going on strike against the other union is embarrassing. But PSU president Norm Young says the teachers union is behaving as badly as the worst school boards and school administrators in negotiations with teachers.

The Ohio Education Association did not immediately return a message seeking comment. The talks with the employees' union were continuing on Tuesday.

Keep the heat on 'em, Rich!

From John Curry, August 30, 2010

http://www.examiner.com/government-in-columbus/ohio-ag-cordray-to-press-pension-claims-against-wall-st-banks-honchos-on-fraud-secret-bonuses

Ohio AG Cordray to press pension claims against Wall St. banks, honchos on fraud, secret bonuses

Examiner.com, August 30th, 2010

AG Cordray to move forward aggressively to hold companies and executivves accountable. Photo: (Photo/John Michael Spinelli COLUMBUS, Ohio - Based on a ruling by a New York Federal District Court that denied motions by big Wall St banks like Bank of America, Merrill Lynch and some of their individual officers and directors to dismiss a lawsuit against them that included two Ohio retirement pension funds, Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray said he is looking forward to developing evidence against the defendants.

According to a statement Monday on the ruling, Cordray, a Democrat running for a full four-year term against his Republican challenger, former Ohio U.S. Senator Mike DeWine, said, "The court's ruling is a major win not only for Ohio teachers, public employees and all Bank of America shareholders, but it also is a win for shareholders of every company and for our financial system."

Elected in 2006 as state treasurer, Cordray was appointed by Gov. Strickland to take over leadership of the AG's office in the wake of sex and management scandals that forced then-AG Marc Dann to resign his position.

Since becoming Ohio's top cop, Cordray has aggressively sought accountability of Wall Street institutions and executives who violated laws and harmed Ohio investors, workers, retirees and families. To date, Cordray has pursued nine major lawsuits including those against AIG, Bank of America, BP, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Marsh, Merrill Lynch, the rating agencies and United Health Care.

Cordray said in prepared remarks that the court ruled that companies cannot pick and choose what they will tell their shareholders and will not be allowed to hide exorbitant bonuses and huge losses from their shareholders.

"We will continue to move forward aggressively with this action to hold these companies and executives accountable," he said.

To date, Cordray's office said, more than $2.7 billion has been recovered through these suits.

In his ruling U.S. District Court Judge P. Kevin Castel substantially denied the defendants' motions to dismiss the case. Consequently, his ruling clears the way for Ohio's pension funds and allied pension systems to move forward with their claims that the defendants committed securities fraud and issued false proxy statements.

If successful, the lawsuit could potentially recover billions of dollars for shareholders.

Lawsuit allegations, details

The lawsuit alleges that Bank of America, during merger negotiations, agreed to allow Merrill Lynch to pay up to $5.8 billion in accelerated year-end bonuses to its executives and employees, but failed to disclose that information to shareholders before they voted to approve the merger.

Additionally, in the two months before shareholders voted on the merger, Merrill Lynch suffered billions of dollars in losses. The complaint alleges that senior executives at both Merrill Lynch and Bank of America were aware of these massive losses but did not disclose the information to investors prior to the shareholder vote on the merger.

According to Monday's media release, Cordray's office said the court indicated that the following claims could proceed:

Securities fraud claims against Bank of America, Merrill Lynch and their respective CEOs, Ken Lewis and John Thain, for alleged misstatements related to the failure to disclose the agreement to pay up to $5.8 billion in discretionary bonuses, and against Ken Lewis and Bank of America for alleged omissions related to the bonus arrangement.

False proxy statement claims against Ken Lewis, John Thain, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch and certain Bank of America directors about the bonus arrangement.

False proxy statement claims against all defendants arising out of their failure to disclose Merrill's fourth quarter 2008 losses.

Liability claims against certain officers and directors for issues under their control.

Claims relating to false offering statements that misstated or omitted Merrill's bonus payments.

Our best and brightest?

From John Curry, August 30, 2010
Read article here or here:

http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=509250

PUBLIC PENSION FUNDS REBOUND

Public employee retirement benefits are financed from contributions from employees and state agencies and returns on investment holdings. Here’s a look at how selected public pension fund investment returns fared between fiscal years* 2010 and 2009, expressed in percentages: Plan name 2010 2009 California Public Employees’ Retirement System 11.4 (24.8) California State Teachers’ Retirement System 12.3 (18.7) Florida Retirement System 14.03 (19.03) Hawaii Employees’ Retirement System 11.7 (18.7) Idaho Public Employees Retirement System 12.4 (16) Louisiana State Employees Retirement System 16.1 (19.1) Maryland State Retirement and Pension System 14.05 (20) Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management Board 12.8 (23.9) Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System 14.3 (19.1) Montana Public Employees Retirement System 13 (20.69) Nevada Public Employees Retirement System 10.8 (15.8) New Hampshire Retirement System 13.7 (18.1) New Mexico State Educational Retirement Board 18.6 (17.3) North Carolina Retirement Systems 11.97 (14.2) North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System and Teachers’ Fund for Retirement 13.2 (24) Ohio State Teachers Retirement System 13.54 (21.66) South Dakota Retirement System 18.7 (20.36) West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement Board 16 (15.6) *A fiscal year is between July 1 and June 30

Sources: News releases, state comprehensive annual financial reports.