The Value of BelongingThe Value of BelongingUnderstanding Your UnionUnderstanding Your Union

• A brief history (what got us here)

• What is Education Minnesota

• Compare Fair Share benefits to Full Share

• What do I get for my dues money?

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HAAP

• In 1982 we had a local union called HAAP which stood for Hutchinson Area Auxiliary Personnel

• After 1987 Ridgewater College left our group

• In 2003 HAAP voted to join Education Minnesota

“At the time we joined Education Minnesota morale was at an all time low, our contract agreement wasn’t being followed, we didn’t have any power, everyone felt like school administration was totally ignoring us.”

former member Diane Anderson

Hutchinson Education Support Professionals

Upon joining Education Minnesota we changed our name to Hutchinson Education Support Professionals, otherwise known as HESP

We are:

Audio Visual Technicians

Media Assistants

Education Assistants

Computer Lab Assistants

Food Service Personnel

Secretarial and Clerical

Licensed Practical Nurses

Programming Assistants

Facts about Education Minnesota

• Education Minnesota was created September 1, 1998 with the merger of the Minnesota Education Association and the

Minnesota Federation of Teachers. This is our 10 year anniversary!

• Education Minnesota includes 70,000 educators working together for excellence in education for all Minnesota students. The organization was formed to provide a united voice for public education, leadership in education innovation, dedication to Minnesota students and families, and an unwavering commitment to the welfare of our members.

Facts about Education Minnesota

How we’re governed

• The Representative Convention of more than 1,000 delegates elected at the local level is the highest governing and policy-making body of the union. Only the Representative Convention may amend the Constitution and Bylaws.

• A Governing Board of 43 voting members meets regularly. The board sets dues in accordance with the bylaws, adopts the budget and assures that Representative Convention directions are carried out. The 2009 RC will be March 20-21, 2009 at the Sheraton Bloomington.

• At the last RC our HESP member Diane Leonard was elected to the Governing board.

Full Share and Fair Share Comparison

General Benefits

• Negotiated contract

(wages, leaves, working conditions, etc.)

• Grievance representation on a variety of issues

• Right to vote on local union issues

• Local, state and national publications

• Access to Savings card

(discounts on products and services nationwide)

Fair share payers receive (up to 85 percent dues)

General Benefits

• Negotiated contract

(wages, leaves, working conditions, etc.)

• Grievance representation on contract issues

That’s it!

Full Share and Fair Share Comparison

Job Protection

• $1,000,000 employment liability insurance

• Benefits from the Education Minnesota Crisis Fund during tough negotiations/strikes

Legal

• Assistance of Education Minnesota staff attorneys for work-related situations covered by Education Minnesota policies

• Criminal attorney if accused of inappropriate conduct at work

Fair share payers receive (up to 85 percent dues)

Full Share and Fair Share Comparison

Professional Development

• Training and information on a variety of topics

• Regional meetings for teachers and educational support professionals

• Grants from Education Minnesota’s Foundation

• Workshops for career development and licensure credit

Fair share payers receive (up to 85 percent dues)

Full Share and Fair Share Comparison

Federal and State Action

• Lobbying on your behalf for:

• Affordable health insurance

•Pension benefits

•Funding for schools

•Job protection

•Better working conditions

•Health and safety at work

Fair share payers receive (up to 85 percent dues)

Full Share and Fair Share ComparisonVoluntary member benefits (some at reduced cost)

• Financial and retirement planning

•Mortgage and realty services

• Long-term care insurance

•Auto and home insurance

•Auto buying and leasing

• Motor club

•Credit cards

•Travel

•Bose music products

•Credit unions

•Other Product discounts through AFT and NEA

Fair share payers receive (up to 85 percent dues)

What do I get for my dues money?What does the organization do for me specifically?

It is more than a teacher organization! In addition to the benefits all active members receive the following are exclusively for education support profession members:

• TEAM newsletter is provided and addresses educational support professional member questions, concerns and issues.

• The Education Minnesota Online Community premiered August 2000 and has a section for educational support professional members with helpful hints for your job, answers to legal questions, and links to other sites with material for support staff members. HESP has a website through Education Minnesota, you must register with your member card. http://hesp.educationminnesota.org/

• Foundation for Excellence in Teaching and Learning has grants designated for educational support professional members or small groups to use for professional growth. Grants are awarded twice during each school year.

What do I get for my dues money?What does the organization do for me specifically?

• An Advisory Board of local educational support professional presidents meets with the Education Minnesota president to make recommendations that will assist support staff in the organization.

• Meetings and training sessions are held around the state that address issues affecting educational support professionals. Regional meetings also provide networking opportunities to members.

• Opportunities to save money and recoup some or all of you dues are available through the Member Benefits Program.

• The professional liability insurance coverage each member receives as a benefit is very valuable to all members and especially to those support staff who interact with medically fragile students. Legal information about your rights and responsibilities in this area are often presented to educational support professional members through publications and area meetings.

• In the area of negotiations, we have educational support professional contracts to review, state and national data to utilize in preparing proposals, and staff prepared to assist you with negotiations.