In 2006, the Alaska State Legislature passed legislation that eliminated our state’s pension system for teachers and other public employees. Every person hired to work in our public schools since then has only had access to a defined contribution system, similar to a 401(k). This unfortunate reality has left Alaska teachers with the distinction of being the ONLY teachers in the country without access to Social Security or a pension.
MSEA members are actively working to fix this problem by partnering with NEA-Alaska and the Saving Our Alaska Retirement group. Together we are pushing legislation to restore a pension option for all Alaska public employees. To learn more please visit SOAR or sign up for the SOAR newsletter.
Alaska has seen a dramatic decline in the number of applicants for open teaching positions and a steady flow of educators leaving the profession in recent years. When we can’t fill positions, class sizes increase and our students don’t receive the access to one-on-one learning we know they need.
MSEA is constantly working to ensure our contract provides excellent wages and benefits, our new educators are mentored and supported, and that all people are treated with fairness and respect. When educators feel stable in their employment and are seen as valued members of the community, they’re more likely to stay in their jobs. There is a direct correlation between low turnover and student achievement, and MSEA is committed to doing everything possible to keep our best and brightest.
Our constitutional right to negotiate collectively for our wages and working conditions is fundamental to our association. MSEA members negotiate with the Mat-Su Borough School District to determine the terms of our contract which typically spans a three-year period. Without bargaining, the District would have the ability to dictate the terms of our employment and leave members without a voice.
As a member of MSEA it is crucial that you understand your contract, support your bargaining team, and exercise your right to vote when a new agreement is up for ratification. Only members may vote to ratify or turn down a contract.
Our current contract/ negotiated agreement spans July 1st 2023 through June 30th 2026. The next contract negotiations will begin in early 2026.
If members have contract questions they can contact MSEA via email: msea@mseak.org or by phone (907)373-5204.
All MSEA members are encouraged to make sure that we have your correct personal email and cell phone number in our records in order to have up-to-date information on important contract issues. (contact Heather.Golbeck@neaalaska.org).
As a member of MSEA, you have the opportunity to make a huge impact on the future of public education at the local, state, and even national level. As education has become a political issue, we are forced to take a stand and raise awareness about candidates and issues that impact our public schools.
Association activism can take many forms; from turning out for school board meetings to voting in local elections, it all matters. The most important aspect of activism is showing our solidarity for our students and our profession.
MSEA’s Political Action Committee on Education (PACE) is an elected body of current members who vote on endorsements of candidates based solely on their support for public education. With over 1,000 members, MSEA represents a powerful voting block in local and state elections where the margins of victory are often very small. To learn more or get involved with PACE, please contact the MSEA President.