I listened to the news about teaches and heard some not so good things.As insurance costs increase, state funding decreases and fear of a tax that could be levied under the new federal health care law grows, school districts are asking teachers to share the burden.
The request could lead to long delays in signed union contracts. It could - and already has - caused strikes, strained relationships and years-long battles.
Teachers in five of Lackawanna County's 10 school districts - Abington Heights, Carbondale Area, Dunmore, North Pocono and Old Forge - are working under expired contracts. By the end of August, that number could grow to eight, as contracts in Lakeland, Mid Valley and Riverside are set to expire.
None of the teachers in those districts is required to contribute toward health care premiums - for now. While teachers may pay deductibles for doctor appointments or hospital stays and co-pays for prescriptions, nothing is paid toward premiums.