INSURANCE AND BENEFITS REPORT

By Jim Arrowood

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter. As this newsletter went to print we continue to face new challenges. At the same time we are working to address them all.

This being the last newsletter prior to your triennial elections on May 6, I’ll take this last opportunity to remind all our members, active and retired, to please vote. As with any election, it is important to know as much as possible about the candidates. Many candidates are already elected by acclamation. These elected representatives are listed in the February newsletter. Important positions remain on the ballot. President, Financial Secretary -Treasurer, First Vice-President and a number of other positions.

If you are not sure about candidates for the upcoming election, I urge you to ask questions and get the facts.

Your Local Union is an important part of your daily lives. Active members and retirees are eligible to vote and I encourage everyone to participate, before and during the

election process.

The Company has introduced their plans to offer an HMO. For now, this offer is just that, an offer. In our current plan we have language in the form of Letter of

Agreement No. 1. Contained in this language are certain provisions.

1. We investigate any such alternative plan.

2. If found by “mutual agreement” between the Union and the Company, that such plan or plans is of high quality and provides at least the level of benefits specified in section V of our insurance agreement, at a cost that does not exceed its cost “at that time” to provide these benefits under Section V.

Also included in our current language under Letter of Agreement No. 7, mutual concerns. We have the obligation to meet and review when requests for inclusion in dual choice offerings such as HMO’s are identified.

I have sent a list of questions along with concerns from this office to Detroit. Along with these requests I have asked for a more comprehensive description of coverage language from the proposed HMO offered by Health Alliance. It would be premature at this time to make any judgment in favor of, or against any offer. As I receive correspondence from all parties, I will keep you updated. The Company intends to continue to send out additional details to members throughout the year. In the meantime, I will continue to ask questions and make requests for specific language to allow us to compare this offer to our current plan. In the interim, my advice is not to make hasty judgments based on what little information is included in the flier that was handed out.

I have included the list of current administrators:

Thanks for allowing me to work for you in the insurance and benefits office.

In Solidarity,

Jim Arrowood,

Vice-President

P.S. – Connie, if you are out of bed yet, congrats on your retirement. We will miss you.

Brett Favre – Connie Kraus, both retired. COINCIDENCE?