Jacqui Greadington, EOEA President
FEBRUARY 2019
FIGHTING FOR AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE/WHY YOU ARE MAKING LESS MONEY
When Governor Chris Christie signed PL 2011 Chapter 78 into law on June 28, 2011, he set a chain of events into effect that would ultimately reduce the take-home pay of public employees.
Chapter 78 mandated that employees pay a percentage of their health insurance premium. Depending on plan choices, level of coverage, and salary, the employee contribution ranges from 3% of the premium to 35% of the premium and is never less than 1.5% of the employee’s base salary. When an employee’s salary increases, the contribution may jump another to another level of premium sharing, resulting in the pay raise being reduced, or, even worse, decreased. Further, whenever there is a premium increase, a member’s contribution subsequently increases further reducing take-home pay.
As a result, NJEA members are seeing significant decreases in take-home pay and that’s having devastating consequences on them and their families. Some are unable to meet their basic financial obligations like mortgage, rent and car payments. Others are taking on added debt like short-term loans and increased use of credit cards. While the overall economy is improving, our members are doing worse. Their salaries are not keeping up with the escalating costs associated with Chapter 78.
Chapter 78 has impact at the bargaining table as it affects salaries, benefits and quality of health care.
NJEA is in the forefront of leading the way on cost-effective healthcare reform. NJEA has proposed 3 reforms to save the state more than $830 million per year. We need every member to contact legislators to get these reforms passed. Politics does indeed affect our profession.
I urge you to take an ACTIVE role by tweeting, emailing, and calling your elected representatives.
EOEA ACTION COMMITTEE:
Soon you will be asked to volunteer to serve on the Action Committee as we attempt to move forward in the current contract negotiations. Please answer the call as none of us is as strong as ALL of us. GET INVOLVED!!!!!!