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Fresh from sticking employees and retirees with big co-pay increases in Health Care Preferred (HCP),
its clear GE wants even more medical cost shifting in upcoming negotiations.
A recent GE publication stated that "we need to be mindful of cost-sharing between the Company and
employees and retirees" and that GE "must evaluate and establish appropriate cost-sharing provisions".
Translated, this means GE wants higher contributions out of pay and other pocket-picking items directed at both
active employees and our retired brothers and sisters.
HEY GE: WE DO MIND!
As was demonstrated last January 14 and 15, GE workers are fed up with the Companys
relentless cost shifting. And its not hard to see why were in no mood for another dose:
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The average GE worker in HCP with dependents now pays about $750/yr. in contributions
alone. This includes 9.5 cents/hr. in deferred COLA. Higher co-pays takes our average out-of-pocket expenses for
medical coverage to over $1,000/yr., and in many cases, considerably more.
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Workers in Comprehensive Medical Benefits (CMB) are faring even worse. Contributions
for those with dependents comes to about $950 annually. Add in the deductible, and medical expenses reach a whopping $1,400
a year before any co-pays are even considered!
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GE moans about rising medical costs, but never talks about their profits which have tripled
in the last ten years. In 1992, GEs aggregate cost for medical, life, dental, and STD for active employees and pre-65
retirees amounted to about 18.1% of gross profits. Last year that figure was down to 7.3% of gross profits. So
relative to profits, GEs medical costs have declined by 59% in the last decade!
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Our dental, vision, preventive care, and weekly STD allowances are all eroding with inflation. And
post-65 retirees are now paying $148/mo. merely to be enrolled in Medicare Part B and the negotiated GE optional plans.
WE NEED A UNION REMEDY
FOR GE'S BAD MEDICINE,
including:
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AN END TO GE INSURANCE COST SHIFTING
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FULL HCP NEGOTIABILITY -
NO MORE MID-CONTRACT REOPENERS
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IMPROVED DENTAL, VISION,
PREVENTIVE CARE, AND STD BENEFITS
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MORE COVERAGE, NOT MORE MEDICAL
COSTS FOR OUR RETIREES
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United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE)
One Gateway Center Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-471-8919
www.ranknfile-ue.org
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