Guild to learn 2011 insurance rates Thursday

The Guild will meet Thursday with the company to learn about the proposed health insurance costs for 2011.

The parties are scheduled to meet in the afternoon. The union will be represented by President Tim O’Brien and First Vice President Lindsay LaFountain. The union plans to distribute information on the 2011 rates to members on Friday.

Under the conditions imposed by the company last year, the percentage of health care costs employees pay will rise again from 21 to 23 percent of the total cost of health and dental care. January is the last time the company can raise the percentage absent negotiations for a new contract. Once conditions are posted,they cannot be changed without returning to contract talks.

The posted conditions also require the health-care plan be comparable to the one we have now.