Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor Contract topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Teachers urge Modesto City Schools to fix soaring health-care costs as contract talks continue
Summary
Dozens of Modesto teachers and the Modesto Teachers Association pressed the board on May 18 for higher district contributions to employee health plans, saying family premiums now consume large shares of take-home pay; union leaders urged quick agreement during ongoing negotiations.
Dozens of teachers and union leaders delivered extended public testimony at the May 18 Modesto City Schools board meeting, saying rising employee premiums are forcing educators to consider leaving the district and asking trustees to accept the Modesto Teachers Association—s health-care proposal.
At the podium, MTA leaders framed the issue as central to retention and recruitment. In a prepared presentation, the union said its proposal would tie district contributions to the lowest-cost plan and asked for a tiered contribution that would reduce teachers— monthly out-of-pocket amounts. "Healthcare is not a luxury, it's a necessity," the association said during its remarks, urging the board to prioritize employees as negotiations continue.
Individual teachers gave detailed, personal accounts of the financial strain. "My portion now is $1,863.51 per month for one of the cheapest plans you offer," said teacher Kathy Presley, describing how premiums have consumed a large share of household income. Another teacher, Brett Wagner, summarized survey results collected by the union: "Health insurance has become a second mortgage" for many members, he said, reporting responses that family coverage sometimes reached 30–42% of gross pay.
Union leaders and speakers asked the board to accept a specific framework the MTA presented, which they said was designed to reach agreement while keeping the district financially stable. The union asked for an "employee-plus-one" contribution equal to 150% of the lowest-cost plan and 200% of the lowest-cost plan for family coverage as a way to lower teachers— monthly costs, and urged the board to settle during scheduled meetings the following days.
Board members did not vote on contract terms during the meeting. Trustees heard the testimony, debated other agenda items and approved consent items and policy first readings during the evening. Several trustees acknowledged the teachers— concerns and asked staff to continue providing updated financial information to the board as negotiations continue.
Next steps: Negotiations are active; the union urged the district to accept its proposal at the scheduled bargaining dates. The board has not taken a formal vote on any contract offer at this meeting and will consider updates and financial analyses in coming sessions.
