Education Policy, Business and Technology

School Reform, Philadelphia Style

Education Next: On Monday, October 6, the Philadelphia School Reform Commission shocked the city by announcing that it would unilaterally cut health care benefits to city teachers rather than continue to negotiate with the teacher’s union. The new policy will require teachers to contribute to the cost of their health care coverage, something they did not do under previous contracts. Under the SRC’s directive, beginning on December 15 teachers will have to pay up to 13 percent of the cost of their medical premiums. Lower paid union members will make a smaller percentage contribution. For individual coverage, the monthly payroll deduction can be $71. For family coverage, teachers could have as much as $200 a month deducted from their paychecks. In addition, the SRC announced that it will no longer contribute to a union-run fund that helps to cover the medical costs of retired teachers.

Read article