Striking teachers in Albany may soon lose district health coverage

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Teachers with Greater Albany Public Schools continue to strike Monday morning, but in six days, they could be losing their district-funded health coverage.

On Monday, the district announced plans to no longer cover the teachers’ health insurance starting on Dec. 1. Meanwhile, educators on strike say the district could cover COBRA premiums for the teachers with funds already budgeted for health insurance.

Dana Lovejoy, the president of the Greater Albany Education Association, called the district’s announcement a pressure tactic against teachers at the bargaining table.

“This District is trying to silence our voices by forcing teachers to have to go without access to the medical care our families count on,” Lovejoy said. “We have members whose children rely on life saving prescriptions and access to care. To jeopardize our welfare and that of our families in retribution for a strike their own actions catalyzed is abhorrent.”

The GAEA also claims the announcement is an indication that the district does not intend to work with the teachers’ union to end the strike, but instead drag it out until December, “in the hopes of starving teachers out.”

However, the Oregon Education Association — GAEA’s parent union – has announced plans to cover COBRA costs for the teachers as the strike continues. 

“Management thought they could starve us out, but they can’t,” said Amanda Miles, GAEA’s bargaining chair. “They thought they could break us, but they didn’t. We have learned how much stronger we are than we knew, and how firmly our community stands with us. Management is about to learn that Albany will no longer accept less for our students.”

This development comes after the teachers’ union said they filed a complaint to the Oregon Department of Education, accusing the district of illegally engaging in pressuring parents to agree to Individualized Education Program plans that allegedly had less support for students.

Students who have disabilities and need special education are required to complete IEPs each year, according to Disability Rights Oregon.

KOIN 6 News has reached out to GAPS for comment, but we have yet to hear back.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.