While the dog law will get the headlines, a more obscure resolution on Monday's agenda is of interest.
Council will adopt a new benefits policy for non-union employees who are new hires to the City.
It will require a 25% contribution to health insurance premiums, which is the amount now paid by Council's two contract employees, the manager and clerk.
While the immediate impact is minimal, it does further send the message there is a real cost to benefits like this as 25% of a family plan is about $300 a month.
This is a measure I advanced again last year and it comes to a vote tonight.
Current contribution levels for management employees is about 15%.
NOTE-The dog law was not listed on the agenda page but is in the stack of resolutions and ordinances. In any event it will require unanimous consent to be voted on Tuesday. Without that, it rolls to the next meeting. That is the most likely scenario.
10 comments:
What percentage does the “elected” office holder contribute?
100%. That's inconsistent with the policy but most local electeds are covered on a public plan at their or their spouses other job.
That sounds like it is against the law called the patient affordability care act...AKA Obmacare.
Sounds like it is legal to charge new employees less but not charge them more. (Assuming new employees are paid less than old employees.)
‘‘SEC. 2716. PROHIBITION OF DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SALARY.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The plan sponsor of a group health plan
(other than a self-insured plan) may not establish rules relating
to the health insurance coverage eligibility (including continued
eligibility) of any full-time employee under the terms of the plan
that are based on the total hourly or annual salary of the employee
or otherwise establish eligibility rules that have the effect of
discriminating in favor of higher wage employees.
‘‘(b) LIMITATION.—Subsection (a) shall not be construed to prohibit
a plan sponsor from establishing contribution requirements
for enrollment in the plan or coverage that provide for the payment
by employees with lower hourly or annual compensation of a lower
dollar or percentage contribution than the payment required of
similarly situated employees with a higher hourly or annual compensation.
Gee mayor,sounds like they screwed you in violation of the "Act" we call Obamacare
This is a meaningless discussion. Soon, all healthcare will be completely FREEEEE. Nothing will cost anything. We will also provide FREEEE healthcare to the millions of illegals (mindless Donkey voters) and it will not only save money, it will be, well, completely FREEEE. I don't know why we just don't do this with our electric bills. It would save a lot of hassle.
The good thing about democrat laws is that they are only meant to be followed by the unwashed masses. Just call Obama or Nancy and they will give you a free pass to ignore the Obamcare law.
I believe the City of Watertown is self insured, this being said exempts them from Obama Care. Also the unions were also exempted from paying tax on their plans. The price for single coverage is the same for elected and employees.
Public sector jobs do NOT make money - they USE money (taxes). Therefore public employees need to contribute to health care. Private sector jobs MAKE money! Therein lies the difference. While public sector employees can be organized they should never, ever have binding legislation. That is how the unions have just about caused many municipalities to go broke.
Hey 307 do your homework, Not All Public Unions have binding arbitration, Public Employees provide a service and they also pay taxes. Interesting Story about a Paper Mill in Brownville, with all the training and incentives the taxpayers will be shoveling money into the mill for years to come, and thanks to the JCIDA its easier.
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