Contract 2000
Medical insurance topped the agenda as the Guild and company met Thursday (Dec. 2). The company agreed to have a December open enrollment and a second one when negotiations are concluded.
No agreement was reached on what medical plans will be available. Under the company's proposal, the Guild has the choice of agreeing to three plans being offered (two United Healthcare and a CIGNA), or if no agreement is reached, to placing everyone in the existing United Healthcare HMO.
The company stated that Blue Cross would no longer be available because that insurer was refusing to underwrite the existing group.
The Guild, which has been in touch with Blue Cross officials, disputed the company's claim. The Guild proposed offering members the two United plans sought by the company plus three Blue Cross plans -- the Classic program, currently available, plus "HealthMate Coast-to-Coast" and "Blue Chip." It is the Guild understanding that Blue Cross has offered these plans to the company. The company responded that there seems to be a breakdown in communications with Blue Cross and would get back on it.
Most of the people who are in Blue Cross have picked this insurance because of special medical needs, which are not covered by other plans. The result has been a process of "adverse selection" which has driven up the cost of this plan as the number of people covered has declined to 52. Blue Cross is seeking to attract other employees by offering additional Blue Cross plans, which would reduce the overall cost of insuring Guild members.
The company is expected to respond at or before the Dec. 9 negotiating session.
Other matters discussed:
Contract Extension: The Guild stated that it was concerned that it would be difficult to complete a contract prior to Dec. 31, when the current one expires. Your bargaining team offered to extend the contract while negotiations continue.
"We will consider it and hope to continue to focus to get it done by the end of the year," said company spokesman Rick Perras.
A contract extension would keep alive the arbitration and no-strike provisions. It would also serve to maintain a positive atmosphere at the negotiating table. Even if the contract is not extended, the company cannot change wages, benefits or other employment terms without negotiating.
Pre-Publishing Department: The Guild told the company that the key to resolving issues in this department include: Guaranteeing the number of "specialist" jobs in the department, identifying the duties of the "specialist" and "operator" jobs, how new technology fits into the department, and rebidding the schedules. Once these are resolved, pay rates for jobs can be resolved.
Combining Contracts: The Guild and the company have agreed conceptually on combining the News and Advertising contracts. The change would not eliminate the two bargaining units, but use a single contract to spell out employment conditions.
The next negotiating sessions are set for Dec. 9, 17 and 22.
The Guild's proposal is available on-line at the PNG web site: Guild proposals.
TNG/CWA Local 31041
270 Westmister St., Providence, Rhode Island 02903
401-421-9466 | Fax: 401-421-9495
png@riguild.org