Quote:
Originally Posted by Twodogs
I understand that it's part of my "total package" but it is considered a pay raise before the union decides where to put it. Say we get a 2 dollar raise, 50 cents may got to our training center, 1.00 might go on the paycheck, and the other 50 cents might go to healthcare. I think we are saying the same thing just in different ways. So, are you saying that nothing will change for me as far as insurance and cost of same? Will the coverage remain the same? I was sort of hoping they would put the 8 bux onto the check and let me buy my own. Last I checked, the stuff that wasn't on the check was equal to about 80% of our per hour pay on the check. Is there some place on the inner webs that I can go to get plain speak info on this stuff? I am so ignorant on the entire health care subject it's sinful.
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I'm not familiar with your particular contract and your particular health plan, just with the general practices in the trades. I would expect that what is taken out of you check also includes pension contributions, maybe a 401(k) or other local retirement plan, contributions to a vacation fund, apprentice contributions and union dues. The dues, apprenticeship, and medical coverage are expenses. The retirement contributions, while you don't see them now, are deferred compensation that will eventually go to you.
As far as what will happen with your medical coverage, that't a matter for negotiation between the union and management, both as to the cost and as to the level of coverage. I would expect that the cost of it will rise, but I would be surprised to see such coverage eliminated. I would expect that if we ever wake up and implement a national single payer plan, the unions will negotiate supplemental coverage for members to cover things that might not be covered by a national plan.
As far as putting the eight bucks on you check, that would be a very very bad deal. First, your coverage is now purchased with pre-tax money, if they put the money on you check, it would have to be taxed. Moreover, as I mentioned before, joint health and welfare trust funds generally have much lower administrative expenses than insurance companies. You would be unlikely to come close to the same coverage by purchasing insurance with post tax dollars.
Regards,
D-Ray