MPS' Benefit Costs Are Horrific

In the Good Old Days of the mid- '70's, a "very generous" benefit plan cost about 33% of payroll dollars.  IOW, for every dollar one was paid, another 33 cents were paid by the employer in benefit costs:  the Social Security tax, health insurance, pension, unemployment comp, disability, etc., etc.  Those numbers were common with Miller Brewing, Allis-Chalmers, Rex Chainbelt--the "big players" in Milwaukee's industrial landscape.

But by 2010 or so, a "very generous" benefit plan's cost was around 25% (or less) of payroll dollars.  Pensions disappeared in favor of 401(k)s, health insurance was reduced, and some other trimming was done.

But not in the Milwaukee Public Schools!!!   

So now, Da Yooonion is looking for Moar Money and an argument ensued:

... MPS estimates payroll tax and benefit costs would be 53%. In a statement, district officials said, "MPS’s 53% benefit rate is correct and validated by external audits. Both the rate and our proposals have been validated by our team as well as veteran school finance expert who has worked for some of the nation’s largest school districts."...

Da Yoonion says the cost is only 17%.  My guess is that Da Yoonion is lying--but even if you split the difference, bennie cost comes out to 35%.

Remember how Act 10 was supposed to help the taxpayer with public-employee expense?

In Milwaukee, the school system did not change one.  damn.  thing.  in its benefit plan.  Remember this:  whatever Da Yooonion got for its employees was also paid to Administration members; so everybody is happy!

Unless you're footing the bill.