|
Updated: 11:05 PM Jun 11, 2008
UPDATE: Health Insurance Changing For Huntington Workers
Union workers in the City of Huntington will see changes to their health insurance starting July 1 -- regardless of whether they agree to a new contract. WEB EXTRA: watch Mayor Felinton's news conference.
Posted: 11:27 AM Jun 11, 2008Reporter: Dave Benton Email Address: dave.benton@wsaz.com |
|
14 Comments 
Union workers in the city of Huntington will see changes to their health insurance starting July 1. Both premiums and deductibles are more expensive, but there are ways they can offset the increase.
“One could look at it as a pay cut, one we're all taking I'll have to deal with,” Huntington Mayor David Felinton said.
Felinton announced the new insurance plan for the city's union workers Wednesday afternoon. The mayor said the city can no longer afford the current health care plan.
Currently, a single employee's premium is $12 a month. Under the new plan he or she will pay $73.
For a family that currently pays $25, that will increase to $153, but city employees can offset that increase by taking better care of themselves. Mayor Felinton says quit smoking or take advantage of reduced rates available now for city employees at the YMCA.
Felinton says the city will also have health education opportunities throughout the year.
City councilman Jim Ritter says he'd like to see other plans discussed.
“It's like a pay cut,” Ritter said. “Larger with deductibility. Look at others and see what they offer.”
Felinton says there is a $1,000 reimbursement plan for types of care the plan doesn't offer that doubles for family plans, and there's a cash bonus of $1,250 if employees opt out of the plan. That number also doubles for those on family plans.
A police officer who didn't want his name used says the department has known about this plan for two months and has discussed it many times. He says the fraternal order of police will probably have their own press conference soon to state their concerns.
Original Story
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Union workers in the City of Huntington will see changes to their health insurance starting July 1 -- regardless of whether they agree to a new contract.
In a memo to the unions on Tuesday, Mayor David Felinton says the city can no longer afford the current health care plan, and the city will implement a new plan on that date.
The mayor is currently in contract negotiations with the city's three unions. That contact is scheduled to expire June 30. The mayor says all other economic benefits and conditions of the current contract will continue after the end of the month if a new agreement is not reached.
The mayor also told the unions in the memo there is no money for pay raises
Keep clicking to WSAZ.COM for the latest information.
Latest Comments
As we can see, everyone has their opinion and no one knows the facts unless you are in these peoples shoes. I agree, $25 month for premiums is a bargain but $153.00 for medical coverage only-no dental or other coverage--the deductible alone is enough to break some of these people. I see meter maid jobs in the paper all the time for the city--apply for one of those positions and see how much $ you will be making........know the facts before being so judgemental.
City Employees making minimum wage.? They are not. I know a secretary that makes 34,000 a year at the City Of Huntington. I've been a secretary for 8 years at one company and make 7.12 per hour. I'll work for the City Of Huntington any day.
Um....I think Felinton was against the pay raise. From this web site: Huntington Mayor David Felinton says now is not the time to raise his salary by nearly $28,000.The two-term mayor says he plans to veto any council-approved raise because the city of about 49,000 residents has other higher-priority needs. He also says it sends the wrong message to city workers and residents.City Council is expected to discuss the idea of boosting the mayor's $62,272-a-year salary to $90,000 by 2011 on Monday. Proponents say the higher salary could help attract more candidates to the position.
|
|
|
Popular Searches Powered by Local.com |
- UPDATE: Two More Arrests in Parking Lot Armed Robbery
- Business Destroyed by Fire in Logan County
- BREAKING NEWS: Former Sunoco in Huntington Shut Down
- IRS Warns to Expect Some Refund Delays
- NASCAR Racer Visits Charleston
- UPDATE: Man Charged in Violent Armed Robbery at Huntington Bar
- St. Albans Man Arrested in Large Drug Bust
- Residents Hopeful Dunbar Police Will Move to New Neighborhood
- Three Aging W.Va. Power Plants Closing
- W.Va. Lawmakers Working to Protect More Victims of Stalking and Abuse
- UPDATE: Vigil for Missing 3-Year-Old Girl
430 Comments - UPDATE: New Chief Deputy in Mason County Releases Department Mission Statement
148 Comments - UPDATE: Mother Awaiting Sentence Faces More Trouble
61 Comments - UPDATE: Some Questions Remain Unanswered in Deadly CO Leak
48 Comments - UPDATE: Man Accused of Victimizing Elderly Found Guilty of Kidnapping; Victim Dies
40 Comments - UPDATE: Two More Arrests in Parking Lot Armed Robbery
24 Comments
- Driver herds kids off bus before it blows
- 10 states leave school law behind
- Same-sex marriage OK'd in Washington
- Embattled LA school reopens
- Mississippi court hears challenge to pardons
- High court rejects stay in Spanish sunken treasure case
- Authorites probe 911 response to Josh Powell's home
- Resolution to N. Dakota school nickname dispute still seems far off
- The deadly path to legal status
- Birth control by vending machine
- Video of Chinese toddler sobbing in snow sparks outrage
- Challenger to Chavez showing strength in Venezuela
- Spy agency called before Pakistani high court
- Court suspends Spain's most famous judge
- Deposed president faces arrest in the Maldives
- Greek leaders ready to back austerity deal
- More than 700 suffer food poisoning after Mexico rally
- Asylum or 'medical leave' for Chinese crime buster?
- UK: 'No negotiations' on Falklands
- Freeze strains Ukrainian EMS
- Band camp, other clubs suspended
- Champion remembered at event
- More members accused of hazing
- Sandusky urged to stay inside
- Words matter in Penn State case
- Out-of-county jury for Sandusky?
- 4th accuser drops abuse allegations
- Accuser pleads guilty to child sex
- Attorney: Victims to sue university
- Miss. high court considers pardons
- Lakers visit Celtics
- Lengthy run of All-Star selections end for Duncan, KG
- Don Banks: Biggest offseason questions in the NFL
- Nowitzki, 5 first-timers among All-Star reserves
- Tiger off to solid start at Pebble Beach
- Rangers, Cruz agree on two-year, $16M contract
- With Lin emerging, Knicks games added in Asia
- SB Nation: Explaining Lin's surprise early success
- 'Oil Can' Boyd admits pitching while high on coke
- Leafs, Wings set for '13 Winter Classic
 |
SOMC
Very good things are happening here. Click here to learn more |
 |
Click here for school closings and delays |
 |
Watch the Lottery Live Monday - Saturday @ 6:59pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3. Need to check your numbers? Click here. |
 |
Watch the Ohio Lottery Drawings weeknights @ 7:29pm and Cash Explosion Saturday @ 7:30pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3. |
 |
Click here to donate and help WSAZ help children at risk in our region. Thank you. |
 |
Click here to see how our partners are making Moms and women's lives easier. |
