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.
Well said … times have changed for everyone. The public sector must recognize that the salaries they earn are no longer less competitive than those in the private sector where such generous and almost unheard of benefits do not exist. Is it any wonder why so many people are leaving NJ? The economy is still the pits. Teachers often bemoan their salaries. I am not by any means dismissing that teaching is a demanding profession but they must recognize the fact that they do not work a full year! Many people have lost good jobs due to layoffs or companies relocating out of Bergen County and are struggling to keep their heads above water. People are hurting and the unions need to get a grip on their demands.
As I long time employee of the private sector, I have experienced layoffs many times involving colleagues, and on a couple of occasions, myself. Healthcare is by far the the most stressful aspect of getting let go. At least, it has been for me and most people. However, there have been colleagues who are married to someone who works in the public sector. Healthcare benefits for them are always declined, anyway, as they always go with the far better and much cheaper plans that are available to their public sector spouse. When these colleagues get let go, the financial impact is much less stressful, knowing that they don’t have to resort to the bank account-sapping costs of COBRA.
Teachers and there union leaders do not seem to care, at least in Ridgewood.
Too fucking bad. You may not like it but there will be no change in the medical coverage for the public sector, better get use to that.
5:17 is right. The public sector owns us. We work so these people can pull down their platinum benefits and keep feeding at the trough…
The socialist teachers cry when their platinum benefits and pay are attacked but have no problem for voting for every Democrat. Party’s over, comrades.
My friend is a secretary in a chiropractor office and she told me teacher retirees get 30 visits per year and pay $1.53 copay
It’s stunning that the REA and PBA boh just expect Ridgewood taxpayers will pick up the annual 40% excise tax on their platinum health benefit plans from 2020-. As of today hat’s an extra $12,000 per year per employee on a Family plan which as 12:33 above points out are always favored over the coverage offered in the private sector. Those costs will only go up. Why are all taxpayers subsidizing such an elaborate and exhorbitant cost to only benefit public sector workers? We have our own bills to pay. Let’s hope our Village and BOE have the guts to stand up to these excessive union demands which are being made in bad faith.
That’s fucking outrageous 7:07 pm.
Why do government employees have to pay anything for chiropractic care? They shouldn’t have to pay anything at all