AAUP UPDATE ON HEALTH BENEFITS
UNION COALITION IS CHALLENGING UNILATERAL MODIFICATION
OF YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS
On June 15, 2007, UMDNJ informed you that the University was implementing changes to your health insurance coverage by increasing physician visit and prescription co-pays and requiring you to contribute 1.5% of your “annual base salary.” Yet once again, the University is implementing these changes unilaterally and without negotiation.
The AAUP Collective Bargaining Agreement has enforceable contract language that is intended to preserve your health benefits and prescription drug coverage for the term of the agreement. Notwithstanding, health benefits are a term and condition of your employment that must be negotiated by UMDNJ prior to any modification. In fact, the attached June 25, 2007 State memorandum expressly states: “[s]ince existing bargaining agreements cannot be unilaterally abandoned by the employer, the benefits of Chapter 62 may not be realized until future contract negotiations.” You may also access the letter via http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/coltr07.htm#coltr0607ch62
By example, the Judiciary workers, who are also Public Workers (like UMDNJ employees), have successfully prevented the Judiciary Management from unilaterally imposing changes to their health benefits. This was premised on the Governor's and the State Health Benefit Plan’s support for negotiation. Why is UMDNJ any different ?
WHAT ARE WE DOING?
The AAUP, CWA, CIR, HPAE, Operating Engineers, and the Teamsters have agreed to work together to require UMDNJ to negotiate with us over any modifications to your health insurance/prescription drug benefits. To that end, we will all to take the following collective actions:
- File a joint Unfair Practice Charge (UPC) alleging UMDNJ is unilaterally imposing changes to your benefits/prescription plan and unilaterally reducing your salary without negotiation;
- File individual grievances and request arbitration hearings as soon as possible to enforce the AAUP contract language;
- Draft and sign a letter to the Governor requesting a meeting regarding this issue. The letter will be copied to incoming President William F. Owen and the UMDNJ Board of Trustees;
- Produce a flyer informing you that we are objecting and rejecting the unilateral modification of your health/prescription benefits; and
- Distribute a petition for signature by all employees in all unions.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
- Become a full member of AAUP by submitting the attached authorization form by fax to 973-972-0776.
- Distribute the Flyer to faculty or librarians in your department.
- Sign the petition that will soon be distributed.
- Email the incoming President William F. Owen at wfowenmd@umdnj.edu and ask him why the University is not complying with their legal obligation to negotiate over modifications to your health insurance/prescription benefits, as set forth in the attached June 25, 2007 State Guidance memo.
- Attend the Open meetings with President William F. Owen and ask why the University is not complying with their legal obligation to negotiate over modifications to health insurance/prescription benefits, as set forth in the attached June 25, 2007 State Guidance memo.
- Keep track of all of your costs associated with your health benefits and prescription coverage to ensure that you are reimbursed should UMDNJ implement these changes and is subsequently ordered by PERC or an arbitrator to reimburse you for your additional costs.
The Coalition will be meeting again soon. I will update you on the status of this issue within the next two weeks.
AAUP and the Coalition of Unions at UMDNJ are working hard and using our collective resources to protect your rights and require UMDNJ to negotiate over modifications to your health insurance/prescription benefits.
If you have any questions, please call Amy Reeder at 732-235-4196 or Alex Bernstein at 973-972-5875.