Okay folks, I’ve been receiving various emails and phone calls regarding what people have heard about the contract. I cannot verify anything but I am going to address the biggest rumor and that is that Bob is negotiating with the BOS to eliminate the flexible benefit plan. I do not know if that is a rumor based on what was said last year by SPBEA Board Member Paula Ready or what was claimed by Bob himself during last contract negotiations. I do know during the proxy battle Bob himself suggested that this will be done this contract. I also know this was something Bill Postmus wanted done when he was chairman. I suspect the BOS and Uffer will be rejoicing if it gets accomplished. Remember, the BOS recently voted themselves full medical and dental coverage at no cost for themselves and their families. Do you deserve less? They think so.

Based on my hourly salary, if the flex plan is eliminated and replaced with an across-the-board raise, that raise will have to be at least 9.67 percent the FIRST year just in order to break even for retirement purposes. That does not include cost of living, increase in medical, or a regular raise. If you make less than me, then the raise will have to be even higher for you to break even and if you make more than me, then the raise can be less. Does anyone really believe that the board is going to approve a raise like that?

Eliminating the flexible benefit plan hurts two groups of employees the most. First, it will have a significant impact on anyone retiring in the next few years. If they have many years in at all, it will greatly reduce their retirement check, unless of course, they get the kind of raise mentioned above

The second group of employees it really hurts is the lowest paid of county workers, usually clerical. The lower your hourly wage, the more it hurts. I’ve been around long enough to remember when the flex plan was first negotiated. It was called a cafeteria plan then. Rather than a percentage, it was a flat amount per month. Thus those making the least benefit the most. It was a way to level the playing field a bit and allow all county employees a better chance to insure their families.

I’ve heard that the county wants to pay our insurance premiums directly with an extra percentage for those with families. What they are not telling you is that way you will receive less retirement. This is a every-county-employee loses situation unless the county offers something along the lines of 14 percent the first year and a good percentage the second and third years along with a guarantee of health coverage. In an election year, I can’t see that happening

So how do you fight it? First and foremost, vote NO on any proposed contract until we can analyze all details and you know exactly what you are voting for. Second, vote against Mitzelfelt, Hansberger, and Gonzales. We need to have board members in there that are NOT in bed with SBPEA in an effort to hurt their own employees and voters. Remember, SBPEA is giving each of them up to $50,000 out of your paycheck so to harm you in even better ways.