No one was shocked or surprised that Lowell Teachers Union President Paul Georges was at the Council meeting speaking in opposition to the Home Rule Petition. Nor was I surprised that he tossed numbers out that were not exact and highly inflated for the Union. He claimed the Union had only 30% of its employees on Master Medical while the Manager states it's closer to 46%

What did surprise me was his audacity to complain that this process should be held open in a public meeting where his members and retirees could state their case. This is the same man who is 1000% AGAINST holding the contract negotiations in Public because he doesn't want to expose the Union GREED!

It's wrong if the City wants to do something that affects teachers and not have a public hearing but let the parents/taxpayers actually hear the outrageous demands and threats of work stoppage coming from the Union NO WAY not PAUL.

You can bet that the teachers now will threaten to strike or will be told that if they do not have a contract when school starts in Sept. (and shame on the School Committee if they do ANYTHING before this Home Rule Petition is voted on) that they should NOT stay after for extra help and that they should not go in early or do anything extras FOR THE KIDS because they don't have a contract. They will threaten to stop work or live the exact letter of the old contract because they did NOT GET WHAT THEY WANT and they will do in Private out of the Public view and muzzle the School Committee while feeding the SUN and worrying Parents.

The Teachers Union had their chance to do their part and they DID NOTHING and now will threaten actions that hurt the students and blame the School Committee and City Council/Manager for these actions.

The Lowell City Council voted 8-1 to file a Home Rule Petition that would allow the City Manager to change the way insurance is offered. It is estimated that the city could save $3.5 – 5 million dollars. It would NOT effect any CURRENT contracts until after those contracts expire.

Patrick Murphy didn’t make his opposition clear other than to say he wanted it to go to a sub-committee so more talk could take place.Since he has a union background I understand his sympathy towards Union but it should not take presidente over his support for the taxpayer. Mr. Murphy is welcomed to Post his response or send me his email and I will grant him access to post it himself if he thinks I am being unfair.

The Council instead took the position that it was time for them to stand up for us the taxpayers and ask the Legislature to get this through the House & Senate which is not going to be an easy thing. The formal session ends July 31st and it is an Election year so you can be sure Unions will have their lobbyist working hard to get this killed or stalled. Lowell’s hope of getting this passed lies with the fact the 3 State Reps. are unopposed and Sen. Steve is retiring and has already publicly come out urging this petition be sent in.

It is a great first step and since the Teacher Union Contract has expired would have a great impact on the school side of the Budget and with negotiations.