DEARBORN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS / SCHOOLS ANNOUNCE RATIFICATION VOTE RESULTS

DEARBORN, Mich. (May 3, 2011) – The Dearborn Federation of Teachers (DFT) and the Dearborn Public Schools today announced during a joint news conference the details of a new collective bargaining agreement approved by the DFT Monday evening. The agreement is expected to receive final approval from the Dearborn Public Schools Board of Education on May 9.

The agreement, effective July 1, 2009 (retroactively) through June 30, 2013, includes the establishment of a precedent-setting health care plan that will be managed by the Michigan State AFL-CIO Public Employee Trust. The trust provides the DFT a vehicle to manage its own health care plan, an innovative approach that allows teachers to gain control of their health care benefits while establishing a cap on health care benefits costs for the Dearborn Public Schools.

“This unprecedented plan lets Dearborn teachers become decision makers for their own benefit choices. This unique program demonstrates what can be achieved in collective bargaining,” said Chris Sipperley, DFT president. “This plan is truly a win-win situation for everyone and allows us to continue to focus on the Dearborn community’s most important asset – our students.”

Although the agreement gives Dearborn teachers control in determining their health benefits package, the Dearborn Public Schools also gets a cap on escalating health care costs, according to Brian Whiston, Dearborn Schools superintendent.

“I want to applaud the DFT leadership for developing this creative approach to meeting the needs of their members, while at the same time being sensitive to the fiscal challenges our school district and its taxpayers face in today’s tough economic times. I feel we have demonstrated how two organizations can successfully use the collective bargaining system,” Whiston said.

The Michigan State AFL-CIO Public Employee Trust provides Dearborn school employees a flexibility in designing a cost saving health care plan, including selecting premiums, carriers, wellness programs and other cost saving strategies, said Tim Spink, Michigan State AFL-CIO Public Employee Trust plan administrator.

“The trust is an employee-based pool, focused solely on the collective good of its members,” Spink said. “The trust provides quality benefits to the membership and allows the district to get out of the benefits business and focus on education,” Spink added.

About Dearborn Federation of Teachers: Chartered on Feb. 28, 1945, the DFT has about 1,500 members K-12, (250 members in retiree chapter, 18 in adult education chapter) who serve four high schools, seven middle schools, 21 elementary schools and one early learning center.

Dearborn Public Schools: The Dearborn School district includes the entire city of Dearborn and a small portion of Dearborn Heights. In terms of enrollment, the district is the fourth largest in the state with slightly more than 18,600 students. District policy is decided by a seven-member Board of Education. Day-to-day operation of the district is carried out by approximately 2,200 instructional and non-instructional employees

About the Michigan State AFL-CIO Public Employee Trust: The Michigan State AFL-CIO Public Employee Trust (Trust), a non-profit, tax-exempt, union-owned organization, that provides insurance benefits at competitive prices to enrich union members’ quality of life.