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Members of IBEW Local 2324 – In the Memorandum of Understanding from 2008 the Agreement was to no longer cover those who were hired on or after August 3, 2008 with Retiree Medical for those hired before August 3, 2008…
Going on Strike over a benefit that applied to those who had yet to be hired was untenable. Rather, the determination was, should that become a cause to fight for, those that are here will have to decide if that fight was going to occur. That time may very well be now or never. Currently, those without Retiree Medical coverage receive up to $576/yr of service with a maximum of 25 years = $14,400/yr. (from Article VI.2.D of the 2022 MOU). Current Medical plans in marketplace are available. They have wide ranging premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. They are not the same as what Covered Retirees receive.
Those who are pre-August 3, 2008, hires are currently eligible for Retiree Medical coverage. That is negotiated in each contract/MOU. There is no lifetime guarantee of Retiree Medical coverage. Currently between 10%-15% of NE are post-August 3,2008 hires. By 2029 that percentage will only grow.
As we experienced in 2015/2016 Negoatiations, the Company enjoys sending emails and letters to thousands of its employees to “alert” everyone to what has been proposed and has been rejected. What will happen if in 2029 (or later) the Company proposes large raises in exchange for ending Retiree Medical coverage and 30, 40, 50% will never receive that coverage? It’s not beyond reason to believe they will ensure everyone knows if such a proposal was rejected. Or even worse, the Company simply demands the end of Retiree Medical coverage to reach any Agreement. What happens after that, should it occur, needs no explanation.
If this Membership believes this, and many other subjects as well, needs to be considered and placed on the table; I ask that you say so. If Retiree Medical is not something to potentially Strike over. Say that as well. It is your contract and your future. Ask others about the cost of their Retiree Medical coverage, if they have any. There is no guarantee to get anything without potentially withholding our Labor at Contract Expiration on August 1, 2026. But anything that is not up for discussion will absolutely have an expiration date. Our terms or their conditions. That is up to the Members to decide.
