The SEIU 721 Riverside County Medical Retiree Benefits bargaining team met with County representatives on Tuesday, Aug. 26, for their first bargaining session. The team presented a proposal on improving the $25 a month retiree health benefit. Calling it a “win-win situation,” members encouraged management to consider the proposal on increasing and restructuring the parameters of the current benefit.
Several members spoke on how they and their co-workers are staying on the job longer than they would like, due to continuing increases in health care costs and the drastic impact retiring under the current benefit would have on their family income.
“Many of us are continuing to work for the medical insurance coverage. It is just too high and we can’t afford to retire. I’m on this team to help make some changes, not just for myself, but for those like me, and the ones that will follow.” – Sheila Thue-Billeb, Accountant II
Next Steps
The Medical Retiree Benefits team’s next session with management is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 25
I retired from county goverment at the end of 2007. I am considered a “early retiree”, and not close to medicare eligibiltiy. Health care premimiums/rates are extremely high. I am fortunate to be able to obtain my health plan through CalPers whose rates are far lower than the County. SEIU and its bargaining team should push to have all current and future retirees granted the option of obtaining their health care plan through CalPers. Health Care rates through CalPers are the same for active employees and early retirees(those whose age is between 50&64).