Union rejects insurance change; layoffs predicted

Oct. 1--SWAMPSCOTT -- The teachers' union has declined to join the state's Group Insurance Commission, a move that some predict will mean more teacher layoffs.

"That's $600,000 (in savings) we're not going to have next year," said Selectman Jill Sullivan, whose board is responsible for salary negotiations.

The town had until Oct. 1 to joining the commission.

The commission, known as the GIC, pools local government workers to purchase and administer health benefits, thereby reaping some savings for municipalities. With 59 percent of all town employees, the Swampscott teachers' union has an effective veto over any change.

Currently, teachers pay 40 percent of their health care costs. The move to the GIC would change the ratio to 30 percent, with 70 for the town. But that change comes slowly over the course of several years, according to School Committeeman Dave Whelan. For that reason, he believes, the teachers' union rejected it.

Union officials could not be reached for comment. The teacher's union rejected the GIC last year, saying that it needed more time to consider the plan.

"I'm very disappointed," said Sullivan. "This was a huge opportunity." Comparable amounts of money are not likely to be available anywhere else, she said. "This is a highly taxed town, so we can't go to that well too much more."

Hoping to move forward, Sullivan declined to place blame. Yet, she noted the chaotic finances currently at the federal, state and local levels and added, "I can't imagine that there won't be some pain."

Former School Committeewoman Mary DeChillo predicted dire consequences as a result of the vote. "It's a huge deal here. We've already cut 45 positions .... mostly teachers. This probably means another 15. ... We're losing talented young teachers because nobody cares about them."

School officials have already anticipated the rejection of the GIC in their budget projections, according to Whelan. Even so, he also predicted a real impact. "Clearly there's a lot of employees who are not going to be employed by the Swampscott schools next year. We may have to close another elementary school."

An increase in class size is likely as well, he said. "You're looking at 30 in a class anyway."

As bad as the financial situation is, Whelan worries it may get worse with state coffers reflecting a dramatic fall-off in revenues. "I'm not sure we don't have a problem in 2009 (the current fiscal year)," he said.

Whelan, who does not plan to run for re-election, cited the poisonous relationship between the teachers' union and the town as contributing to these problems. "I don't know what I ever did to cause friction," he said. He faulted the union for the manner of its no-confidence vote last summer aimed at Superintendent Matt Malone.

"I think there's an expectation that we will start acting as adults," Whelan said.

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