Volume 1, Issue 8
April, 2008
SCOPE FOR PSRP’S
Telephone—682-1143, Fax—631-0190, Cell—607-0193
Stories contributed by
BETTER HEALTH FOR BUS DRIVERS
Healthcare in
Thomas has been pushing for a limited benefit plan for school bus drivers and other HISD employees who make less than $20,000 per year. During the last school board election, the local endorsed two candidates who pledged to support their need for affordable healthcare and a living wage. Their candidates won. However, one candidate they had endorsed, Manuel Rodriguez, refused to support their agenda once elected.
After submitting a number of proposals, the district settled on a health discount program with a flexible spending account that would cut deeply into the number of uninsured employees. The program would give the bus drivers and other employees a $500 medical debit card that would allow them and any family members access to various healthcare coverage, including medical, dental and vision. Employees would receive a discount on services from participating providers. The bill would be paid using the $500 medical card at the discounted rate.
The district is holding open enrollment through April, and the program will begin May 1st. The $9.95 monthly premiums will be paid by the district. "The plan adds up and puts more employees on the road to affordable healthcare," says Thomas. The district is looking to expand the program by using clinics around the city that would give discounts to HISD PSRP employees and their families.
Clinic Launched in La Joya
The cost of healthcare in
The motivation for the clinic came a few years ago from their neighbors down the road in the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo (PSJA) school district. The La Joya Federation broached the idea a few years ago, but the school board was resistant.
An initial foray into school board elections resulted in the election of their endorsed candidates. Their biggest support came from school board president, Rita Garza-Uresti, who studied the PSJA model and discovered this model of health care could save money for her district. The district will get reports from the clinic, run by Free First Healthcare Clinics, on employee usage and how much money was saved in the district health plan. Starting next year, employees can have up to five dependents use the clinic for $25.00 a month. "This has been a tremendous success for us," said staff rep J.J. Luna. "And it's yet another example of the union working with the district to do something positive that benefits everyone." (Nov. 19, 2007)
R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
Ask Me What It Means to Me
The lyrics to Aretha Franklin’s popular song “Respect” are familiar to many people. It could also serve as the theme song for the “Respect and Dignity” Campaign that is being conducted by school bus drivers in
The school bus drivers recently held a “Respect and Dignity” rally at the October school board meeting. Members of Local 6049
Are You Looking for a Union Home?
The AFT’s PSRP division is the place for you. The AFT represents more than 300,000 support staff in more than 1,100 school districts and colleges in 41 states. Contact the staff of the division for further direction on organizing a union: psrp@aft.org.
AFT PSRP members receive regular communication from the AFT
- The PSRP Reporter
AFT PSRP members have access to member benefits and services.
- AFT PLUS Member Benefits
AFT PSRP members can subscribe to the PSRP Electronic Newsletter and various job issues e-mail groups.
- Subscribe to newsletter
AFT PSRP members have access to resources and information on a variety of topics. Here are just a few examples:
- Work Shouldn’t Hurt (English and Spanish version)
- Pointers for PSRP (English and Spanish version)
- Creating a Classroom Team (PDF)
- NCLB and Paraprofessionals
- It Takes a Team
AFT PSRP members have opportunities to respond to surveys on key issues to school support staff.
- Condition of School Facilities
One Day in Heaven
One day in heaven, the Lord decided He would visit the earth and take a stroll. Walking down the road, He encountered a man who was crying. The Lord asked the man, "Why are you crying, my son?" The man said that he was blind and had never seen a sunset. The Lord touched the man who could then see and was happy.
As the Lord walked further, He met another man crying and asked, "Why are you crying, my son?" The man was born a cripple and was never able to walk. The Lord touched him and he could walk and he was happy.
Farther down the road, the Lord met another man who was crying and asked, "Why are you crying, my son?" The man said, "Lord, I work for the school system."
And the Lord sat down and cried with him.
This dessert tops juicy fruit with a biscuit-like topping. The batter goes into the dish first, then rises up through the fruit as it bakes.
Ingredients
FILLING:
4 cups sliced peeled ripe peaches (about 2 pounds)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
BATTER:
6 tablespoons butter
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (about 5 1/2 ounces)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
Dash of ground cinnamon
1 cup 1% low-fat milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon turbinado ( course brown) sugar
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°.
To prepare filling, combine first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl; set aside.
To prepare batter, place butter in an 8-inch square baking dish. Place dish in oven 5 minutes or until butter melts. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients (through dash of cinnamon) in a medium bowl. Combine milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; add milk mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Spoon batter over butter, spreading evenly (do not stir). Spoon peach mixture over batter, gently pressing peaches into batter. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar, and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until crust is golden.
Yield
8 servings