Under Governor Gregoire’s Budget Proposal, over 100,000 people would become uninsured overnight. These potential cuts put our economic future and quality of life at risk and wipe out much of the progress we have made in the last decade.
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UPDATE
Whatcom Health Care
October 31, 2009
— by Carrie Blackwood,
L17 Union Representative
The Whatcom Health Advisory Committee met yesterday (Bill and I were both there) and learned that the renewal calculation for next year, keep in mind this is a bit of fuzzy math as the real cost of renewal is based partly on your actual utilization of Health Care, is predicted to be 11.8% higher for next year than this year.
By contract the employer is committed to pay 10% of that increase and the employees are to pay 1.8% of it. The unions have met and are discussing some options to deal with that 1.8% and as soon as we have the numbers back that we have requested we will send it off to you. You may see Bill for more details or call me if you want a more in depth discussion. We are hoping to have agreement with the County by next Friday but this is partly dependent on when they get the numbers we requested back to us and again no agreements will be made until we are sure that our members are comfortable with the process and the proposal.
There are two good things to report. We finally achieved domestic partnership benefits, a cost neutral benefit, and mental health parity, not necessarily cost neutral, but necessary. Bill and I will be communicating with you as things develop but please don't hesitate to touch base with one of us if you have any questions, concerns, or high fives (regarding domestic partnership or mental health parity).
Sept. 2009 Furlough Vote
The furlough agreement was ratified by membership. I will sign the agreement and let membership know when the agreement is finalized. Thank you for all of you hard work on a controversial issue. - Carrie Blackwood, Local 17 Union Representative
UPDATE
Sept. 16 - Aug. Health Care
I attended the medical benefits advisory committee meeting on Thurs., Aug. 27.
With the past 12 months experience included, the claims to the CAP plan are at 88.8% of expected. The consultant forecasts an 8% increase for the CAP plan rate increase for the next period (2010), based on all remaining claims for this period remaining at or below the 88.8% CAP plan expectation. There is also typically a 2-5% margin for error built into the CAP Plan projected cost estimates. If the claims percentage increases compared to plan expectations in the next few months, we can expect an increase in 2010 CAP plan costs, above the 10% allowed in our Labor agreement, which would then require some benefit reduction. The consultant prepared a CAP Plan Benefit Modification Summary for 2010, just in case 2010 CAP Plan cost increases exceeds 10%. The Plan Modification Summary describes several potential scenarios for CAP Plan benefit option reductions, given CAP Plan cost increases of 3%, 6%, 9%, 12%.
Click here to see the potential scenarios for CAP Plan benefit option reductions, if CAP Plan claims exceed expected cost, leading to CAP Plan renewal rates exceed 10% over last year.
The next medical benefits advisory committee meeting is scheduled for Thurs., October 29.
Please call or email me with any questions or concerns. Let's hope to contain our CAP Plan claims experience costs for the next months, so that we stay below the 10%, as we renew the CAP plan for 2010.
Stay Healthy. - Thank you, Bill
Sept. 9 -Whatcom Furlough Vote
(a message from Local 17 Union Rep. Carrie Blackwood)
Thank you to everyone who made last nights meeting engaging. Although you did not all agree with each other, you were all passionate, engaged, reasoned, and respectful of your co-workers perspective. Your unit is full of great leaders and it is always a privilege to work with you all so thank you for the opportunity.
As agreed last night, you are to turn your ballots in to Betsy Pernotto or Bill Angel no later than Fri. Sept. 18, at 5 p.m.. On Friday (9/18) at 5 p.m. Molly Burke and Charles Sullivan will count the ballots. We will post the results no later than Mon, Sept. 21, but will attempt to get the word out immediately via the email list.
Sept. 9 - Payroll Glitch
(an email from Wendy Wefer-Clinton, Employee Relations Manager)
This email is to alert you that we had a glitch in our payroll software when we processed the paychecks distributed today, September 11. Approximately 20% of the payroll checks did not have the proper mandatory Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) deduction withheld. In most cases, the amounts are small and also in most cases too little was withheld. We will provide departmental payroll preparers with a list of employees that were affected with the associated amounts so employees can see if they were impacted. Incorrect DRS deductions will be adjusted to correct any errors on the next paycheck (9/25/09). We apologize for any inconvenience this will cause employees and will do our best to communicate with them and address their concerns.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Wendy
Wendy Wefer-Clinton, Employee Relations Manager: Whatcom County Human Resources, wwefercl@co.whatcom.wa.us
Sept. 8 - 2009
UPDATE
Leave Without Pay (UFL) Proposal
Sept. 2, 2009
Read proposal here
Save Public Health
Local 17 is part of a coalition campaign to save public health. Your help needed!
 See the TV ads
Bellingham-Skagit-Whatcom County Chapter Officers
President - Tom Kunesh (Whatcom Co. Health)
Vice President - Edward Halsaz (Whatcom Co. Health)
Secretary/Treasurer - Jackie Russell-Stear
(not pictured)
(Whatcom Co. Health)
REC Delegate - Betsy Pernotto
(Whatcom Co. Health)
REC Delegate - Charles Sullivan
REC Alternate - Bill Angel
(Whatcom Co. Health, Bellingham)
Labor Council Delegates
(2 positions)
Bill Angel, Betsy Pernotto
(Whatcom Co. Health, Bellingham)
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Current Contract Information
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