Local 1500 Negotiations Updates - Take Action Now!
Bargaining Update
Contract negotiations are underway. We have met at the bargaining table twice now, with future dates scheduled for July 15th and 16th. Members, you can check your personal email accounts for recent updates circulated July 8. Please continue to attend our regular monthly meetings for summaries and Q+A's (meetings are on the first Wednesday of every month at 5pm. Virtual links are shared via email the week prior.)
Insurance Negotiations Update
Dear Members, your Union bargaining coalition successfully held firm against all proposed reductions to the plan design and cost-sharing. The projected premium increase for next year remains significant at ~17%, but there are no changes to your deductible, copay, out-of-pocket max, Employee % of premium share, GLP-1 coverage, etc. Please take the time to review the tentative agreement below for a full summary.
Highlights include:
- Agreement to increase the orthodontia lifetime maximum
- Agreement to offer of enrollment in voluntary legal services coverage
- Agreement to Meet and Negotiate in regard to domestic partner benefits if same sex partners are no longer eligible for insurance coverage per IRS regulations
- Agreement to expand the definition of dependent child and grandchild to allow increased enrollment in family coverage
- Agreement to reduce the mental health office visit copays in Benefit Levels 3 & 4
- Increases to Life and AD&D coverage
- Agreement to expand dental coverage to include access to a national network for coverage out of state
- Agreement to create a disability coverage subcommittee
As AFSCME Local 1500 heads into negotiations with the State over our contract and our insurance (as a SEGIP coalition with other state employee unions), we need to hold together to win fair wages and health coverage that keeps us and our families safe and secure. We are currently facing the threat of a 16.8% increase in premiums and a State-wide budget crunch that the Employer is proposing to mitigate by decreasing its contribution to premium cost-sharing, raising co-pays and out-of-pocket maximums, and instituting coinsurance.
We need to move NOW, through online and in-person actions, to let the Employer know that we will not stand for the State balancing its budget with the wages and benefits we earn.
Thursday, June 5 | 4:30-6pm
Minnesota Park, St. Peter
We joined MAPE members at Minnesota Square Park in St.Peter to demand a fair contract for all state employees, and to stand against proposed healthcare cuts.
PUSH WEEK RALLIES | June 23
Join us and support your insurance coalition team at our kickoff to PUSH WEEK with the Employer. Insurance increases affect ALL of us. Join us as we fight for our insurance!
Bring your union signs/banners and help us kick off Push Week. This is our time to come together as a union family and fight hard for our values and talk about why this fight is important for out members, families and communities.
We hope to see you there!