Is MEA’s opposition to this proposal really about MEA defending MESSA because they’re related?
There’s no doubt that MESSA provides excellent member service, or that many MEA members value MESSA health insurance. However, not all MEA members have MESSA health plans. Dillon’s proposal would affect all public school employees, whether they have MESSA or not. It would also impact county and local government employees who do not have MESSA. MEA believes that the collective bargaining rights of all public employees are important – history proves that bargaining good working conditions for teachers and other school employees results in better learning environments for students.
