CSEA contract includes pay raises, insurance contributions
By Patrick FanelliArticle Photos
MAYVILLE - The vast majority of county employees will receive 3 percent pay raises in 2010 and 2011 while contributing no more money toward their health insurance premiums as part of a four-year labor contract ratified Wednesday by the Chautauqua County Legislature.
The contract is with the Civil Service Employees Association, Unit 6300, which represents more than 900 county employees. The contract won overwhelming support among union members with 90 percent voting in favor of it Monday.
For county legislators, the vote was only one short of unanimous at Wednesday's session. But with health insurance costs skyrocketing, one lawmaker expressed concern over the stipulation that employees will not contribute any more toward their premiums than they did in 2007 over the life of the contract.
''I can say, without any hesitation, that health insurance premiums will be going up because costs are going up,'' said Legislator Chuck Nazzaro, D-Jamestown and Audit and Control Committee chairman, who works at WCA Hospital and voted in favor of the contract despite his reservations. ''Being in the health care business, this is really a concern of mine.''
By switching from Univera to Blue Cross Blue Shield and by requiring bigger co-pays from CSEA members, county officials do hope to see some savings with the lion's share of premiums that is covered by the county.
With large numbers of CSEA members in the audience, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were eager to express their support for the union.
''I think these individuals should be lauded for their time, patience and efforts put forth waiting for this contract,'' said Legislator Thomas Dejoe, D-Brocton. ''These individuals have put forth their effort with loyalty and trust that we are going to respond accordingly, and I believe we need to respond accordingly.''
Legislator Robert Duff, R-Sheridan, said the union is the ''finest group of employees I believe who have ever come to work.''
Rose Conti, CSEA president, expressed gratitude toward lawmakers for approving the contract. After the short legislative session came to a close, she expressed satisfaction with the deal hammered out between county officials and union leaders, saying they had the faltering economy in mind.
''They know what the economy is. They understand it. They're taxpayers too,'' Ms. Conti said, referring to CSEA members.
Legislator Scot Stutzman, I-Jamestown, was the only lawmaker to vote against the contract agreement since he didn't believe it was satisfactory enough. Stutzman fears that county coffers will be hit hard next year with Albany's growing fiscal crisis - a crisis highlighted by a projected $12.5 billion deficit for the next fiscal year - and that county officials will have no choice but to lay off workers when state revenue dries to a trickle.
''The economy is failing all around us,'' said Stutzman, who also voted against every expenditure on Wednesday's agenda that hinges on state funding. ''What happens in April if we get slammed? ... What do we cut first?''
The agreement was hammered out after 18 months of negotiations between union leaders and county officials. The terms remained secret until Wednesday and weren't even conveyed to some lawmakers until shortly before the voting session.
''I'm kind of a little unsatisfied with the information that was given, and to be voting on such short notice,'' said Legislator Tina Hallquist, C-Jamestown.
Specifically, the contract includes a retroactive 47-cent pay raise for 2008, a 3 percent raise for 2009 and 2010, and a 60-cent raise for 2011 while employees' share of their health insurance premiums will stay the same at roughly 15 percent.
''I have no reservations whatsoever. ... I thought it was a very fair contract, and concessions were made on both sides,'' said Legislator Fred Croscut, R-Sherman and minority leader. ''Everyone worked together. It proves the process works.''
''It may have taken a long time,'' said County Executive Greg Edwards, ''but significant issues needed to be addressed. Each side stated their positions, remained steadfast and came out with a well-negotiated contract.''
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WeLoveChautauqua
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11-20-08 7:03 PM
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According to Hewitt, a global leader in benefits consulting, the average health cost per person for major companies will increase from $8,331 in 2008 to $8,863 in 2009. The amount employees are being asked to contribute toward this cost will be $1,946 (1,806 in 2008), or 22 percent of the overall health care premium. Average employee out-of-pocket costs, such as copays and deductibles, are also expected to increase from $1,707 in 2008 to $1,880 in 2009. Overall, employees' total health care costs are projected to be $3,826 in 2009, up 8.9 percent from $3,513 in 2008. This CSEA 15% employee share of health care premiums is 7% below the average. Based on the above averages, the CSEA employees are enjoying an extra $620 raise per person. The total cost for 900 employees is $558,000. This is for employee coverage only. Does the same 15% cost share apply for dependents covered? Every day we find ways to work harder and smarter. Our county civil service employees need to do the s
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AReader
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11-20-08 9:53 AM
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OK. So they pay 15%. What do other regional employees pay? What percent do WCA Hospital employees pay? What percent do Dunkirk Observer employees pay? Purina employees? Brooks employees? Let me know what's reasonable and expected for the region and I'll let you know what the CSEA employees should pay. Otherwise you're just pouring gasoline on a bonfire of hatred toward all public employees.
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