It's Time For Employers to Pay Up
Aug 15, 2007
One of the most important supports that unionized workers receive these days is extended health care benefits. Extended health benefits include the medical, dental and vision care that are essential to our well-being. But the troubling reality for our health care workers is that in the vast majority of other provinces, health care workers receive better coverage than Manitoba workers do.
The affiliates of the Manitoba Council of Health Care Unions (MCHCU) are working together to ensure improvements in extended health coverage are there for health care workers and their families.
Members of the MCHCU include the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union, Canadian Union of Public Employees, International Union of Operating Engineers, Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals, Manitoba Nurses Association, Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, Public Alliance of Canada and the United Food and Commercial Workers.
In the next round of collective bargaining, each affiliate will make extended health care benefits a top priority. They will work hard to influence employers to pay their fare share for these benefits and to expand what health needs are covered.
Health care workers in Manitoba simply do not get good supplemental coverage. Although medicare provides top quality health care, there are extra services that cost more. Anyone who has had a serious illness knows how much extended health coverage helps to pay for ambulances, private rooms, and specialized consultations. Those of us with families know that orthodontic treatment for our children can cost a fortune if we have to pay on our own. The high cost of pharmaceuticals is also a major concern for many workers.
Under the current system, health care workers in Manitoba pay the premiums for extended coverage on their own. They are getting the Basic Services of the Health Employees Benefit Plan (HEBP).
Over the last year, the MCHCU conducted research into benefit plans that other workers have. In examining extended health benefits plans across Canada they found that Manitoba health care workers are getting far less than counterparts in other provinces. Not only do employers contribute to benefit plan premiums in most provinces, but they actually also contribute more to premiums than employees do. Benefit levels in other provinces are also higher than those that Manitoba workers receive. In Manitoba, the employer does not pay any part of the HEBP premium.
For union members working in Manitoba’s health care system, improving extended health care benefits can mean hundreds or even thousands of dollars to each employee. Adding services to the extended health care benefits plan or increasing the plan contributions for specific claims could also mean that workers save thousands of dollars in health care costs.
It’s time that Manitoba health care workers received the level of benefits that they deserve.
Comments
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My wife is a health care worker and we are happy with the benefits we get....mind you we pay for them. Keep in mind even though you may think you are saving alot of money ,that money comes from somewhere. Someone always has to pay for it, either the taxpayer or us.
jimcotton - 2007-08-15 13:37
We as a Union are just now realizing this. It was time to pay up at the last round of bargaining. This blog is an insult to all the hard working tradesmen in the Civil Service.
Chuck - 2007-08-17 09:20
Check out what HCA's and HSW's have for benefits. Don't try to push other hard working people down to push yourself up. Everyone deserves a piece of the pie, however it can't happen to everyone all at once.
Blondie - 2007-08-17 11:23
Good comments, Russ. It's time we stepped up as a union and made this a reality because Manitobans are being left in the dust.
kevin s - 2007-08-17 14:41
I have been waiting 23 years and everyone keeps telling me next time. I feel , I dont have many next times left.
Chuck - 2007-08-17 17:14
As a member of the master bargaining team I can share with you that members worked very hard to get the best collective agreement possible. Civil Servants have a benefit package that is good and we always work to make it better. If you review the Civil Service web site Health Benefits you will see that IF a member were to use ALL their benefits in a calendar year, they would add up to over $10,000. PLUS Ambulance and Hospital Coverage (100%) and Travel Insurance of up to $10,000. We did and will strive for further coverage and benefits in other areas as directed by members (bargaining proposals) in the year preceeding the next round of master bargaining.
D. Navitka - 2007-08-18 12:52
It's funny how one member makes a comment and everyone reads a whole great big issue into it. It's no wonder we have such a screwed up organization. I just received in the mail my last payment for my sons braces it covered $1600.00 to $1800.00 of the total bill. The total cost of the whole procedure was $5200.00. My other childs bill was $4300.00. Like I said earlier my time ran out. I guess I should be happy I recieved $3600.00. Well guess what, I'm not.
Chuck - 2007-08-19 13:09
I guess you could always give back the $3600.00 you saved and your employer could give it to someone that doesn't have any benefits at all. I'm sure they would appreciate the savings. ...What a truly bizzare thing to say...
Blondie - 2007-08-24 11:32
I think the point is that there are brothers and sisters out there who do not enjoy the same level of benefits as the rest of us. I too had a child who needed orthodontics and am currently in a situation where I am accessing a number extended health benefits. While it may not cover 100% I am also not in a position where I have to choose between my health and the mortgage, groceries, etc. Personally, I am grateful to all present and past negotiating committee members who have bargained to achieve what we have today and I am confident that they will continue to strive for improvements!
Penny - 2007-08-28 23:42