The unions sure all seem to think the state and municipalities can afford “platinum” health benefit coverage which covers 95% of all essential care with low deductibles and $5-15 copays. For that public workers are paying 35% or less of the premiums. From 2020 those plans will also be subject to a 40% excise tax and who pays for that? Well according to the unions like NJEA and our local PBA, taxpayers should pay that in addition to subsidizing their platinum coverage.
Most large private sector employers offer “bronze” level equivalent coverage with higher co-pays and higher deductibles. It’s time for all public sector workers to face this same reality; taxpayers cannot afford to subsidize your platinum level benefits anymore. Here in Ridgewood the REA and the PBA refuse to accept this and claim were not being “fair”? Let’s be honest: platinum level health benefits for the select few, paid for by the rest of us, are what is not fair. It’s time for these unions -and their full-time labor lawyers from the state unions behind the curtains – to negotiate with the Village in good faith, instead of these hostile negotiations over platinum health benefits.