District
Council wins funding for members health coverage through the collective
bargaining process.
By GREGORY N. HEIRES
District Council
37 wins the money for members health coverage through the collective bargaining
process.
Together with wages and salaries, the financing for health insurance
and city payments to union benefit plans are the big-ticket items at the negotiating
table.
Many union members assume incorrectly
that their dues pay for their health insurance and the benefits provided
by the DC 37 Health and Security Plan. In fact, city contributions won in contract
negotiations fund union benefits, such as prescription drugs and dental care.
And under agreements with the municipal unions, the city must pay directly for
health insurance.
Members dues cover union services,
such as contract negotiations and enforcement (grievances, arbitrations and work-related
legal cases), publications and political action.
The
DC 37 Health and Security Plan plays an important role in contract talks. It works
closely with the Negotiating Committee, union leaders and the Research and Negotiations
Dept. to win adequate funding for health insurance and union-provided benefits.
The Plan is governed by a Board of Trustees, who are responsible
for maintaining its financial health. DC 37 Deputy Administrator Eliot Seide chairs
the board and Brooklyn Public Library Local 1482 President Marlene Rosenberg is
vice chair.
The other trustees are Real Estate Employees Local 1219 President
Magda De Jesus; Water Supply, Gas and Electricity Local 1322 President John Townsend;
Hospital Employees Local 1420 retiree Dorothy Brown; Civil Service Technical Guild
Local 375 retiree James Parker; and Deputy Administrator and Research and Negotiations
Director Dennis Sullivan.
In an arrangement that goes back decades, funding
for the 14 health insurance plans offered to employees is tied to the amount the
city pays the Health Insurance Plan of New York for each participant. The HIP/HMO
rate is used to determine how much the city contributes to other plans besides
HIP. Subscribers to plans that charge the city more than the HIP rate pay the
extra amount, which is deducted from their paychecks.
Workers
may continue coverage during unpaid leave
Members who take unpaid
leave may keep their city-provided health insurance and union welfare fund benefits.
Under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, city employees may take off
up to 12 weeks a year of unpaid leave if they have a serious illness or wish to
provide care for a dependent child or family member. Benefits provided by employers
and unions must continue throughout the 12-month period.