Health Benefits Top Agenda for Bargaining in 2007

By Michael Tursky,
Secretary-Treasurer, UFCW 8-Golden State

  The ever-rising cost of health benefits is a major issue whenever we meet with employers for contract negotiations. The upcoming round of bargaining with the biggest food employers in 2007 will be no exception. The employers currently pay $5.52 into the health benefits trust fund for every hour you work. That is the highest contribution rate in the entire United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents 1.4 million workers across the United States and Canada.

   The trust fund, which pays for your doctor visits, prescriptions, dental care and other health-related costs, exists only because your Union negotiated with the employers to create and maintain it. The extent of your health benefits is determined by the amount of money that the employers pay into the fund.

   When the costs of health care rise as fast as they have been rising in recent years, the employers have to pay more into the fund simply to maintain your current level of benefits. As a consequence, they routinely try to limit their contributions to the fund when we meet at the bargaining table.

   Your Union leaves no stone unturned as we look for ways to control the costs of health benefits without hurting the quality of coverage for members or retirees. To help us in our quest, we have brought in expert consultants to look at these costs from every conceivable angle.

   In addition to controlling health care costs and maintaining the financial integrity of the health benefits trust fund, we must ensure that the employers’ contributions to the pension fund are sufficient to keep your retirement package secure. Our members also expect and deserve wage increases.

   On all of these levels, your Union negotiators are determined to win the best possible terms for the members. You can do your part by preparing yourself for the negotiating process. The employers must understand that they are dealing with a steadfastly united Union membership that is prepared for whatever comes its way.

   In coming months you will be alerted to specific ways that you can affirm your solidarity and express your determination to win a fair and equitable contract. In the meantime, wear your “Solidarity Works!” buttons proudly and let your managers know that you stand with your Union all the way.