Brothers and Sisters,
As stated in our most recent negotiations update; day 11, we want to provide you with more details from the economic package we received. Specifically, on Medical Insurance Premiums and Out of Pocket expenses.
Upon received the economic package, the negotiating committee forwarded the information to Neil Gladstein; IAMAW Director of Strategic Resources, for a deep dive analysis. Please review the below information based on his results.
Medical Premium Share Proposal
Health insurance shows that the weighted average increase in total premiums went up by 8.4% from 2017 to 2020. So, I don’t see how an 8.4% three-year increase could justify three 7% increases over the proposed contract (that’s 22.5% over three years compounded).
Out-of-Pocket expenses (co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles, etc.)
BIW is proposing very large increases in out-of-pocket expenses. Changes in premiums from 2017 to 2020 do not justify these huge jumps (such as doubling deductibles). These would be very large cost increases for those who get sick or injured. Given the physical wear-and-tear from working in a shipyard, this is a problem for many of our members.
These updates will continue to be posted on the Local S6 Facebook page as well.
In Solidarity, Local Lodge S6 Negotiating Committee.