Post by crudo on Sept 3, 2005 23:54:02 GMT -5
Modesto City Workers Stage One-Day Strike
From: KCRA
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theKCRAchannel.com
MODESTO, Calif. - More than 200 Modesto city workers went on strike Monday.
Union members said they will only picket for one day to raise awareness that they're being treated unfairly.
Modesto City Employees Association members like Charles Bush argue that they can't afford to pay any more for health benefits.
"My wife is in the process of going through breast cancer. My co-payment is so high, I'm paying about $1,000 per month in medical and co-pay," Bush said.
Union members argue that they're paying much bigger premiums than managers with higher salaries. Under the new contract, city workers pay $351 per month for family coverage, while managers pay $156 for the same benefits.
"Our families are just as important to us as theirs are to them, and there shouldn't be any difference in our medical," Bush said.
Wages are also an issue. The city of Modesto has offered a 3 percent annual increase, but that doesn't start until the seventh month of the contract year. Workers argue that only amounts to a 1.5 percent increase overall.
City Manager George Britton said it's the best they can offer workers when Modesto is facing a $4.5 million deficit and increasing health costs.
"I'm sympathetic with their concerns. Many of them are single heads of households when it's a particular challenge for them," Bush said.
Police officers and firefighters are not included in the picket line. So, those services will not be affected.
Technically, both sides can still negotiate, but the contract talks will reach a more critical point as Sept. 6 approaches. That's when the City Council can vote to force the terms on the workers.
From: KCRA
Your e-mail address and/or phone number will not be published. Leave your name or hometown blank if you do not want it published.
theKCRAchannel.com
MODESTO, Calif. - More than 200 Modesto city workers went on strike Monday.
Union members said they will only picket for one day to raise awareness that they're being treated unfairly.
Modesto City Employees Association members like Charles Bush argue that they can't afford to pay any more for health benefits.
"My wife is in the process of going through breast cancer. My co-payment is so high, I'm paying about $1,000 per month in medical and co-pay," Bush said.
Union members argue that they're paying much bigger premiums than managers with higher salaries. Under the new contract, city workers pay $351 per month for family coverage, while managers pay $156 for the same benefits.
"Our families are just as important to us as theirs are to them, and there shouldn't be any difference in our medical," Bush said.
Wages are also an issue. The city of Modesto has offered a 3 percent annual increase, but that doesn't start until the seventh month of the contract year. Workers argue that only amounts to a 1.5 percent increase overall.
City Manager George Britton said it's the best they can offer workers when Modesto is facing a $4.5 million deficit and increasing health costs.
"I'm sympathetic with their concerns. Many of them are single heads of households when it's a particular challenge for them," Bush said.
Police officers and firefighters are not included in the picket line. So, those services will not be affected.
Technically, both sides can still negotiate, but the contract talks will reach a more critical point as Sept. 6 approaches. That's when the City Council can vote to force the terms on the workers.