Across the U.S., healthcare costs have been rising rapidly and are projected to continue growing. It’s no surprise that medical coverage is a top issue in contract negotiations. Local 812 is no exception.
As costs rise, most American workers pay a greater share of the costs through higher deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance. In many cases, these higher employee costs negate any wage gains. Many families have also lost entire categories of benefits, such as dental, vision and hearing, as well as retiree benefits.
But not Local 812 members.
Local 812 created its own health fund back in 1990. Having our own fund gives us a voice in how it is run - strictly for the good of participants – now and in the future. Over time, by careful oversight and administration, we’ve added key benefits for members and their families.
A participant’s use of health benefits varies over the course of their life, typically increasing when they marry, start a family or grow older. Our Fund makes it possible for members to retire before the age of 65 by covering healthcare before they are eligible for Medicare.
Local 812 President Joe Vitta recently explained, “Our Negotiation Committee represents all Local 812 members, not just those at the negotiation table. That includes retirees and those that are currently facing a health crisis or who will in the future.” In every contract negotiation, Local 812 prioritizes maintaining high quality benefits at the lowest possible cost to members.
Local 812 Health Fund Trustees are continuously finding ways to reduce costs, including the use of Tele-health, generic drugs and in-network benefits. But medical inflation, new high-cost drugs and recently enacted laws and regulations make it impossible to keep expanses flat.
Our aim is to keep the medical benefits we have without high costs to members. But it won’t happen without Employers paying more into the Health Fund.
Each contract has a total value and every contract demand has an associated cost. We will not risk losing our hard-won gains. Once a benefit is eliminated, it is very difficult to get it back. Our union health benefits provide for our routine medical needs and ensure that participants are covered should they fall seriously ill. No one should be ruined financially by an accident, illness or disease
That security is worth fighting for!
