State retirees get updates
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">HARRISBURG – Retired American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees members received updates regarding health insurance and pension information at a meeting Monday in Harrisburg.
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Kate Jamruk, AFSCME retiree coordinator, spoke to a group of about 25 union retirees who had concerns about recent threats to their health insurance and pension programs. Due in part to the Illinois budget stalemate, which began in 2015, Gov. Bruce Rauner has proposed increased costs to AFSCME retiree benefits as part of a plan to reduce state costs.
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">According to AFSCME, as part of negotiating AFSCME's contract with Rauner, the governor proposed a 100 percent increase in health insurance premiums. AFSCME objected to the proposal, which the union said would be an average increase of $10,000 per state worker in healthcare costs.
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">In November, the Illinois Labor Relations Board determined negotiations between Rauner and AFSCME were at an impasse, giving Rauner the ability to give his "last, best offer" to the union.
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">However, AFSCME appealed, and asked the courts to delay the action.
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Earlier this month, the 4<sup><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup> District Appellate Court issued a stay of the decision, saying AFSCME showed "reasonable likelihood" it would prevail in its appeal.
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">At Monday's meeting, Jamruk told AFSCME retirees that a recent vote by members to authorize a strike did not mean a strike was imminent. However, the union is very serious about the treatment of past and present union members, she said.
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">"AFSCME doesn't want to declare a strike. We know how detrimental that would be to the state," she said. "But, we do want to protect our members."
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Dental insurance also has become an issue for some union members, she said she has learned. Because the state is behind on reimbursement payments, some dental patients have been asked to pay for treatment up front, she said.
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">"I need to let you know, when they pay you back, there is accumulated interest," Jamruk said. "Be sure and ask for it. Some members aren't getting it."