The union representing the almost 200 paraprofessionals working in the Wallingford school system will be at tonight’s school board meeting in their continuing fight to get health benefits. John Sullivan, my internet radio partner, and I had a chance to interview union president Anne MacDonald Sunday night and learned that the offer headed to arbitration has the union agreeing to pay 50 percent of the cost of benefits in the first year. The union is asking in subsequent years for the percentage to decrease 10 percent until “paras” are paying 20 percent of the cost of insurance. MacDonald estimates it will cost the town about $900,000 the first year. According to MacDonald, there is very little union solidarity on the issue. That’s disappointing. The powerful teacher’s union, which for decades fought for basic rights for workers, apparently doesn’t think these paras deserve vocal support. If you would like to hear more of the interview go to http://sullivanoneonone.com/ and click the AUDIO ON-DEMAND ICON. When the Player appears click on "Paraprofessional.
Check out Tuesday’s Record-Journal for any developments at tonight’s Board of Education meeting.
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I think it is a shame that the Para-Educators of Wallingford can't have affordable healthcare. How do the towns around us do it? I didn't realize that Wallingford was such a poor town. Para-Educators work side by side with the teachers in our schools. What makes us less deserving of affordable healthcare? Dale Wilson should be ashamed of himself if he leaves office without giving this deserving group what is owed them. AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE NOW!
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