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Taxpayers can't afford these raises

Published on Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 at 1:01 am | Last updated on Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 at 1:01 am 9 Comments


In the Nov. 21 edition of the Sun Journal there was an article stating that the Auburn teachers just got a raise. This is at the same time, per a front page article, that Gov. Baldacci ordered cutbacks in the money sent to schools from the state.

What are we thinking? This has to translate into job losses for teachers.

Doesn't anyone on the city negotiating committee know that raises are out of the question?

The union should have no power here under the current economic circumstances. There is no money. Our government has spent it all and then some.

More to the point, taxpayers should not be taxed for these raises. Taxpayers have bills to pay, too, and they are lucky to be keeping their jobs which are not providing raises. Many are getting pay cuts.

Jack Tetreault, Lewiston

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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest

wbruce's picture

Why to teachers make the

Why to teachers make the wages that they do? It's called the Iron Law of Wages.... If your going to school to become a teacher, take a micro-economics course as an elective, it may open your eyes.

tron's picture
verified

When teachers start making

When teachers start making more than cops, then perhaps you'll have a valid point.

Pirate's picture
verified

When teachers start making

When teachers start making more than cops, they'd better be packing heat.

ValenOfGrey's picture

SUCKS TO BE YOU JACK! The

SUCKS TO BE YOU JACK! The teachers and all public service employees deserve a lot more than they are getting.

Centarie2000's picture
verified

EVERYONE who has to serve or

EVERYONE who has to serve or deal with the public deserves to be paid more then they are.

cranky yankee's picture

Too bad Jack didn't read the

Too bad Jack didn't read the whole article or actually check his facts. On paper, yes, Auburn teachers got a raise, but at what cost? They now have to pay more of their health insurance. In our case, we'll be losing spousal coverage (which was how the raise was paid for by the way). What that translates out to us is that now instead of paying $300 per month towards spousal coverage, we're going to have to shell out over $1000 per month, $12,000 per year. So with the wonderful raise that my spouse didn't get (the only ones who got any real raise were the teahcers who are single and with only five years experience), we're now going to have a net loss of income of $10,000 per year. So if you think that was such a wonderful raise, then I've got some waterfront property in Florida to sell you.

Centarie2000's picture
verified

Really? Waterfront property?

Really? Waterfront property? IN FLORIDA? How can that be? Florida is a peninsula, so it doesn't have a coast right? I hope you're not the teacher in the family, or at least that your math is better then your geography. Actually, my sister wants to move to Florida and would probubly really enjoy waterfront property if you're really interested in selling.

veritas's picture
verified

CrankYanker Don't forget

CrankYanker

Don't forget those three major reasons you went into teaching:

a: June
b: July
c: August

------------------------------------------
When I was a young Sailor - I drank like a Sailor, fought like a Sailor, and screwed like a Sailor. Now that I am old and wise - I have a few scars, but many fond memories.

Pirate's picture
verified

Sorry, Crank, but I'm sure

Sorry, Crank, but I'm sure that oceanfront property is in Farmington, Maine. We don't want to mislead potential buyers, now, do we?

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