UFCW 21 - A Voice for Working America

Management accidentally gave the union Bargaining Team two different versions of the proposed health plans. After clearing up the confusion, we know now what Management is offering and can proceed with bargaining.

Our counterproposals will cover the following issues:

Health Plan

Management has proposed eliminating the PHP Primary plan. In addition to the current Group Health plans, they are proposing an HSA plan and a new PPO plan.

HSA Plan

Premium: Free for employee only and family.
Deductible: Employee only $1500, family $3000
Maximum out-of pocket: Employee only $2500, family $5000

PPO Plan

Premium: Employee only $27 a pay period, family $243 a pay period
Deductible: Employee only $250, family $750 (much less than HSA Plan)
Maximum out-of pocket:Employee $1500, family $4500

(Deductible amounts are the amount of out-of-pocket expense to you before the health plan starts paying.)

While the premium cost will be significantly lower than the current PHP plan, the proposed plans will cost more when you use the insurance.

The union Bargaining Team feels that those with employee only coverage on the current PHP plan stand to lose the most under these proposals. We will continue to bargain as we work to limit the amount of costs to employees and their families.

Wages

Our union proposal is a 3% raise each year plus anniversary step increases, plus market adjustments for those job classes paid below market.

Management’s proposal is 0% across the board raises in the first year of this agreement, with a ½% increase in both the second and third year of the contract. This is in addition to any step increases an employee has earned. Management has proposed minimal market adjustments for job classes paid below market and adjustments don’t start until year 2 of the contract.

Low Census

The union wants a cap on the number of hours an employee can be sent home on low census for all job classifications.

Management has yet to agree on any cap other than for the employees who already have one.

Layoffs

The union is pushing for more options for employees in the event of any layoffs.