Red River United, a staunch advocate for school employees’ rights, has mobilized its members against a proposed measure by the Caddo Parish School Board that will potentially result in an increase in insurance costs.

According to the recent Facebook post from Red River United, the premise behind the proposed hinges on the depletion of insurance reserves due to a shift in the employee-to-retiree ratio, prompting the district’s inclination to rebuild these reserves. Consequently, this move could substantially affect employees, with potential costs surging up to $1000 for the majority who presently afford medical insurance.

Critically, Red River United highlights the existence of a $25 million trust established in 2008 for post-employee expenses, questioning the rationale behind not utilizing these funds to alleviate the situation. They emphasize the district’s proximity to the ‘safe harbor’ provision, suggesting that the reserves might be closer to the recommended level, thus potentially negating the need for such a substantial employee contribution.

In response to these concerns, Red River United plans to stage a protest before the impending board meeting, aiming to voice the collective grievances of employees. They emphasize the significance of this demonstration, especially during the holiday season, underscoring the importance of citizen advocacy and its role in a democratic society.

The core objective of the protest is to bring attention to what Red River United perceives as elitism within the Central Office and to advocate for fair treatment and respect for all employees. The organization stands firm on their principle of advocating for dignity and respect in the workplace and invites employees to join in this demonstration as a means to effect change through collective action and dialogue.

The situation remains fluid as the community awaits the board’s decision, with Red River United steadfast in their commitment to ensuring that employees’ voices are heard and respected in discussions impacting their financial well-being and workplace dignity.