Where we are as of 6/22/2023 Posted On: Jun 23, 2023 We've been at the bargaining table for months now and the parties are still far apart on key economic issues. We're especially concerned about management's health care proposal which would drastically increase premium contributions, co-pays and deductibles over the next four years. While there would be no health care cost increases in the first year of the new contract, in the next three years health care costs would go sky-high, with out of pocket maximums rising to as much as $10,000 annually. The Emergency Room co-pay would increase to $650 per visit for the PPO and $450 per visit for the HMO and OAP, and there would also be major increases for visits to specialists and for prescription drugs. Any employee who has multiple dependents or who has a family member with a chronic or serious illness could find themselves having real financial problems trying to pay their health care bills under management's proposal. And their wage proposal wouldn't help much.  It doesn't even keep up with the inflationary pressures we've faced in the recent years. Your bargaining committee has been pushing hard for affordable health care and fair wages.  We need your active support to make clear to management that we deserve a fair contract. Our current contract expires on June 30th.  That's coming up very fast.  But management doesn't seem to feel any urgency to reach a settlement. We will be back in negotiations on Tuesday, June 27th, 2023 and we're prepared to stay there as long as it takes next week - all the way through Friday night - to get the contract that AFSCME members deserve. Your involvement is key.  If you have signed a pledge card, thank you for showing your support and that you will not stand for this kind of contract.  If you are not already a member, go to the new member packet, click the link, and become one.  If you have not already signed a pledge card and think the proposals on the table from management are fair and just, you need not take any additional action.  If you have not signed a pledge card and this information concerns you and makes you feel mistreated, please click the link in this section and sign the pledge card.  Finally, show your support when the bargaining committee members head off for negotiations next week by being present and pictured on designated worksites.  Reach out to info@afscmelocal805.com for further info on the send off. Share: