Service workers in talks; health care an issue

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20070910_Service_workers_in_talks__health_care_an_issue.html

Mon, Sep. 10, 2007

Service workers in talks; health care an issue
By DAMON C. WILLIAMS
williadc@phillynews.com 215-854-5924

Members of Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union, representing men and women who clean many of the city's office buildings, have serious issues as contract talks begin.

Health benefits and wages are among the major concerns in the talks, which got under way Friday. A special sticking point is the $80 monthly health-care premium employees must pay to provide health benefits to dependents.

Wayne MacManiman, Mid-Atlantic director of Local 32BJ, said the $80 monthly fee puts the employees in a tough decision-making spot.

"To a lot of our members, they have to make a decision - pay the premium or pay the electric bill," MacManiman said. "A lot of our members work paycheck to paycheck. We saw 1,100 members drop their dependents from coverage."

"We offered realistic proposals to ensure hardworking members and their families receive the health-care coverage, wages and pensions they need to support their families," MacManiman said in a statement.

FULL story at link.