I don't think my benefit package is what you think it is. As I mentioned earlier, I pay 15% of my health insurance and 40% of my retirement. I am on the single plan (not family, which is more expensive) since my husband has his own insurance. My deductible that I must meet is $200 with an out of pocket max of $1500 (remember, this is single coverage). If I go to the hospital, it is paid at 80% AFTER I reach my deductible. Medical co-pays range from $20 to $75 depending on the service. Thankfully, I am hardly ever sick; but, unfortunately, I am always paying out of pocket because I can never reach my deductible. My prescription co-pays (I do the 3 month supply to save money) are $62.50 for name brand or $25.00 for generic. One of my medications is not available in generic form, and it is necessary for me so I have to pay the $62.50.
I am thankful to have benefits. But, please remember, my benefit package is also part of my pay. Benefits are figured into the inflated pay figures on the treasurer's website. My final GROSS earnings last year was $51,070.16 (that will be the number you see on the website), but my NET (what I actually saw after my health care, pension, and taxes came out) was only $33,758.28. As you can see, those numbers are very different. I bet no one has ever told you or anyone else this information because I keep seeing those GROSS pay figures referenced. I don't think that nearly $34,000 is an unreasonable amount for someone who has a bachelors degree from an actual accredited college (not an online "degree" that is so popular today), and who has worked hard for over 13 years. And remember, I am still responsible for all those co-pays and deductibles for my health coverage.
I didn't share this personal financial information to incite any argument from anyone; it is what it is. I just hope that once you see the actual numbers, you may see that I earn a fair wage which includes my benefit package.
The union is not putting the state under. If you really want to know where your tax dollars are going, here's a few answers for you. Kasich used tax dollars to install a state of the art security system in his private home, Kasich uses the state airplane to travel everywhere except downtown Columbus, Kasich hired his friends and increased the pay for these cronies, the director of DRC appointed by Kasich is double dipping into a state retirement pension and a hefty salary, and the list goes on...I said it before, we middleclass need to stop fighting among ourselves. King Ka-sick is only laughing at us.
lilgandee, You seem to be confused. I am not sure why you are telling me this information about your husband. But, if you want to compare apples to apples, my husband works 50-60 hours per week doing manual labor loading trucks. He does not get any paid sick time, either. He is a juvenile diabetic (since he was age 12, he is now 40) and NEVER calls off work. If you know anything about diabetes and its complications, this information would be very impressive to you. He also gets vacation time in 8 hour increments. He has 21 years in, is a union representative for the Teamsters, and is highly regarded by management and co-workers for his work ethic, ability to problem-solve, interpersonal communication skills, and personality. I have 13 years in, but I was not promoted to what I am today by doing nothing. I was selected by management based on my work ethic and professionalism. Both my husband and I work in a 24 hour operation...I believe time in a profession should be honored for days off and schedule. We should have the choice of first shift with weekends off. If he chooses to work overtime, he should be offered it before less senior employees. I do not get overtime. We all started at the bottom on the seniority list, but dedication and hard work got us to where we are today. So, your wish that "people get paid by performance" is granted...that's how we made it to have all this "time in."
Issue 2 takes away the seniority we worked hard to earn. Please vote NO on issue 2.
I wish the middle-class would quit turning on each other due to this sick rich governor pitting us against one another! Ka-sick has his own agenda for the "haves", and none of the middle class will be anything but "have nots" when he is finished!
I am a proud, union state employee of 13 + years. The following are the actual numbers from my paystub dated 10-21-11. I paid 15% of my single-coverage (not family) health insurance; I paid $31.20, the state contributed $175.76. I paid 41% of my PERS (pension); I paid $192.55, the state contributed $269.57. In addition, I pay Local, State, and Federal taxes as a SINGLE person. I am married, but we have no children for those wonderful tax breaks/kickbacks. My husband, a union member who works for a private company, has health insurance for his son and himself through that company; he does not pay ANY percentage of his benefits.
As a public employee, everyone is my customer. I provide a public service to you for which I am being compensated. I am courteous and professional. I EARN my money; no tax payer is giving me a handout. I do NOT have an extravagant lifestyle. I use my money to pay my mortgage and bills ON TIME, and I fuel the economy by patronizing your businesses (restaurants, stores, car dealerships, etc.). I do not feel that I am giving you a handout by purchasing your goods/services...why do you feel that way about me?
Union or not, we are all the middle class. WE ALL WORK, WE ALL PAY TAXES. The dissention among us will be our downfall. If we destroy ourselves, I just hope that there will be enough "haves" to support us on welfare...if that doesn't get taken away next.
I support our middle class, and my family will be voting NO on issue 2.
2 sides of Issue 2
toycannon,
I don't think my benefit package is what you think it is. As I mentioned earlier, I pay 15% of my health insurance and 40% of my retirement. I am on the single plan (not family, which is more expensive) since my husband has his own insurance. My deductible that I must meet is $200 with an out of pocket max of $1500 (remember, this is single coverage). If I go to the hospital, it is paid at 80% AFTER I reach my deductible. Medical co-pays range from $20 to $75 depending on the service. Thankfully, I am hardly ever sick; but, unfortunately, I am always paying out of pocket because I can never reach my deductible. My prescription co-pays (I do the 3 month supply to save money) are $62.50 for name brand or $25.00 for generic. One of my medications is not available in generic form, and it is necessary for me so I have to pay the $62.50.
I am thankful to have benefits. But, please remember, my benefit package is also part of my pay. Benefits are figured into the inflated pay figures on the treasurer's website. My final GROSS earnings last year was $51,070.16 (that will be the number you see on the website), but my NET (what I actually saw after my health care, pension, and taxes came out) was only $33,758.28. As you can see, those numbers are very different. I bet no one has ever told you or anyone else this information because I keep seeing those GROSS pay figures referenced. I don't think that nearly $34,000 is an unreasonable amount for someone who has a bachelors degree from an actual accredited college (not an online "degree" that is so popular today), and who has worked hard for over 13 years. And remember, I am still responsible for all those co-pays and deductibles for my health coverage.
I didn't share this personal financial information to incite any argument from anyone; it is what it is. I just hope that once you see the actual numbers, you may see that I earn a fair wage which includes my benefit package.
The union is not putting the state under. If you really want to know where your tax dollars are going, here's a few answers for you. Kasich used tax dollars to install a state of the art security system in his private home, Kasich uses the state airplane to travel everywhere except downtown Columbus, Kasich hired his friends and increased the pay for these cronies, the director of DRC appointed by Kasich is double dipping into a state retirement pension and a hefty salary, and the list goes on...I said it before, we middleclass need to stop fighting among ourselves. King Ka-sick is only laughing at us.
November 2, 2011 at 8:01 p.m. permalink suggest removal
2 sides of Issue 2
lilgandee,
You seem to be confused. I am not sure why you are telling me this information about your husband. But, if you want to compare apples to apples, my husband works 50-60 hours per week doing manual labor loading trucks. He does not get any paid sick time, either. He is a juvenile diabetic (since he was age 12, he is now 40) and NEVER calls off work. If you know anything about diabetes and its complications, this information would be very impressive to you. He also gets vacation time in 8 hour increments. He has 21 years in, is a union representative for the Teamsters, and is highly regarded by management and co-workers for his work ethic, ability to problem-solve, interpersonal communication skills, and personality. I have 13 years in, but I was not promoted to what I am today by doing nothing. I was selected by management based on my work ethic and professionalism. Both my husband and I work in a 24 hour operation...I believe time in a profession should be honored for days off and schedule. We should have the choice of first shift with weekends off. If he chooses to work overtime, he should be offered it before less senior employees. I do not get overtime. We all started at the bottom on the seniority list, but dedication and hard work got us to where we are today. So, your wish that "people get paid by performance" is granted...that's how we made it to have all this "time in."
Issue 2 takes away the seniority we worked hard to earn. Please vote NO on issue 2.
November 1, 2011 at 9:03 p.m. permalink suggest removal
2 sides of Issue 2
I wish the middle-class would quit turning on each other due to this sick rich governor pitting us against one another! Ka-sick has his own agenda for the "haves", and none of the middle class will be anything but "have nots" when he is finished!
I am a proud, union state employee of 13 + years. The following are the actual numbers from my paystub dated 10-21-11. I paid 15% of my single-coverage (not family) health insurance; I paid $31.20, the state contributed $175.76. I paid 41% of my PERS (pension); I paid $192.55, the state contributed $269.57. In addition, I pay Local, State, and Federal taxes as a SINGLE person. I am married, but we have no children for those wonderful tax breaks/kickbacks. My husband, a union member who works for a private company, has health insurance for his son and himself through that company; he does not pay ANY percentage of his benefits.
As a public employee, everyone is my customer. I provide a public service to you for which I am being compensated. I am courteous and professional. I EARN my money; no tax payer is giving me a handout. I do NOT have an extravagant lifestyle. I use my money to pay my mortgage and bills ON TIME, and I fuel the economy by patronizing your businesses (restaurants, stores, car dealerships, etc.). I do not feel that I am giving you a handout by purchasing your goods/services...why do you feel that way about me?
Union or not, we are all the middle class. WE ALL WORK, WE ALL PAY TAXES. The dissention among us will be our downfall. If we destroy ourselves, I just hope that there will be enough "haves" to support us on welfare...if that doesn't get taken away next.
I support our middle class, and my family will be voting NO on issue 2.
October 31, 2011 at 8:20 p.m. permalink suggest removal