To All Members of the GFT:

It is now the beginning of August and we will be returning to school in about a month.  The negotiations between the GFT and the Administration become divided into two areas: Language and Salary.

The language portion of the contract is almost completely done and should be completed next week when the Superintendent returns from vacation. 

The salary portion of the contract has been very slow.  Because of the presence of the State Monitor, who must approve all fiscal matters, the GFT is forced to negotiate with him as well as the Administration and Board.  As a representative of the State he takes a very different view to how salary guides should be structured during negotiations and his position is very different than the GFT’s.  We have met with him numerous times in order to discuss percentages and distribution.  Next week, when Mr. Perrapato returns from his vacation, we will be exchanging actual salary guide proposals.    

As we move forward and gain a better understanding of how the Health Benefits Reform will impact our members we will provide you with more information.  What we know at this point is the calculation of benefits will be determined by using the amount of just the State Health Benefits.  This does not include our dental coverage or our prescription plan since these benefits are not provided through the State of New Jersey.  Because of this the cost of the benefits is significantly less than originally calculated.   Within the Health Benefits Reform Bill there is a provision that allows the District to charge either a percentage of your plan or 1.5% of your salary, whatever is a greater amount.  According to initial calculations most GFT members will be paying 1.5% of their salaries in the next year.  As the percentages increase over time the contribution to benefits will then shift to members being required to pay a percentage of the actual health benefits plan.  When that happens depends entirely on the individual member’s salary and type of plan they choose.  As more information becomes available we will provide you with it.

In Solidarity,

Robert Barbier