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Today marks a major victory for Michigan school employees, as the Michigan Supreme Court unanimously ruled to return more than a half billion dollars illegally taken from school employees in the long-running 3 percent case.
In a dramatic December conclusion to a nearly 8-year-long legal battle, the Court ruled 6-0 to uphold lower court rulings that found the withholding to be illegal on a variety of constitutional grounds.
“I cannot imagine a better pre-holiday gift to Michigan’s school employees than getting their hard-earned money returned to them,” said MEA President Paula Herbart. “This is the culmination of years of work by both AFT Michigan and MEA on behalf of our members. This reinforces why being a member of a union matters – working collectively, we won this case that no individual could have fought for themselves.”
Logistics will need to be determined for how school employees will receive the refund of over $550 million that’s been held in escrow since 2010-2012, but today’s ruling ends a long string of unsuccessful appeals by Governor Rick Snyder and – until this final appeal – Attorney General Bill Schuette.
“We hope the governor and attorney general work with us – as opposed to their years of fighting us – to ensure employees get their money returned to them in a timely fashion,” said AFT Michigan President David Hecker. “Michigan’s school employees have waited eight long years to get their hard-earned money returned to them – no futher delay is necessary.”
MEA and AFT Michigan will inform members about details on how the money will be returned as those details become available.
Contact:
David Hecker, AFT Michigan President, (313) 204-6115, dhecker@aftmichigan.org
Doug Pratt, MEA Director of Public Affairs, (517) 337-5508, dpratt@mea.org
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I retired in 2012, am I in the mix?
High time this money was returned to the people that earned it in the 1st place. Taxpayers are embarrassed by this kind of Republican state governance. When anyone has to steal money from school personnel, who let’s face it, don’t make much to begin with, it’s a sure sign the thief does not know how to manage state finances. Teachers and other school personnel are not the people who poisoned Flint, or who allow Enbridge to pollute and poison our waters. Ricky Snyder is and has been as big a crook as they come for this state. 2018–Vote out Republicans.
Hello,
I heard there was an opt out option MEA employees could utilize to discontinue the 3% contribution towards retirement healthcare. Is this true and if so, how do I opt out?
Thanks for any info,
What do I need to do to get my money if I worked some of the years, but then moved out of state?
Please contact the MEA Help Center at 1-866-MEA-HELP or through the live chat at the bottom of our website to update your contact info. You should also make sure the school district has your updated contact information.
How can we keep up on updates on this. How far back does the 3% go?
I hope that we only get regular taxes taken out of the amount returned to us. I am afraid the government will see it as a bonus and tax us at a greater rate. Do you have any insight on this?
I taught st Greenville Public Schools during 2010-2012. I retired s June 2012
Thank you so much for all of your hard work on this!! It is truly appreciated!!
Thank you SO VERY MUCH MEA and AFT and Michigan Supreme Court!!! Shame on our Governor Snyder and Bill Schuette who allowed our hard earned money to be stolen from us for eight years. There are members who have died while waiting for their money. I can’t think of a worse Governor. I agree that unions are VITAL to protecting the hard working teachers of this State. Thank you again for your continuous fight for our rights.
Mary Murphy.
Regarding refund of 3% to school employees
I worked for Livonia Public Schools and retired June 2016 does this mean I’ll get my 3% back even though I’m retired. Buff Campbell
How do we know how much we will receive? I retired from Battle Creek Schools December 1, 2012.
How will this effective those that are no longer employed with the school, but only left employment within the past 6 months?
Please contact the MEA Help Center at 1-866-MEA-HELP or through the live chat at the bottom of our website to update your contact info. You might also want to make sure that the school district has your correct contact information, as refunds will be processed through the districts.
schneid280@aol.com
My name is Rose Stratton I worked at Goodrich area Schools wanted to update my information.
[Personal info redacted]
Please contact the MEA Help Center at 1-866-MEA-HELP or through the live chat at the bottom of our website to update your contact info. Thanks!
I am leaving my email address so I can be informed of the latest information about the return of our 3 percent money
Please contact the MEA Help Center at 1-866-MEA-HELP or through the live chat at the bottom of our website to update your contact info. Thanks!
as a former school employee, l’m very happy to see that all of us are finally getting our hard earned money back, that should of been taken to begin with, this ls a victory to all of us.
When will the money be refunded?
Please send information as you receive it.
I was in good standing for years and just came under financial difficulties forcing me to stop paying union dues for past couple of months. Knowing this and knowing I’m considered in “bad standing” will I loose the money that was taken from me (.03%) court ruling? I was I good standing during the period of time this money was taken. Any suggestions?
Hi, Sarah. For the best answer and for help to get into good standing, you can contact your local association or UniServ office. UniServ offices can be located at mea.org/uniserv