Members update on health insurance

The Times Union is unilaterally implementing its plans for health insurance coverage for 2025.The company has not responded to our local’s repeated requests for information about the health insurance coverage and has not responded to requests for the Executive Board to meet with the insurance broker regarding the 2025 health insurance coverage.

Health insurance is a mandatory subject of bargaining. The company has negotiated with the pressmen and the mailers locals on health insurance.

The company has acted to change our health insurance coverage, which is provided under Section 14 Welfare, Pension, Alternate Benefits and Death Benefits in our contract, without discussion of any details.

Publisher George R. Hearst III has been told that the Albany Newspaper Guild is weighing filing an unfair labor practice charge.

The Albany Newspaper Guild is consulting with our parent union, The NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America on this matter.

Unfortunately, due to the company’s refusal to answer the local’s questions, we’ve been unable to conduct a comprehensive review and to present the insurance issues to the membership.

The company insurance enrollment period is starting this week.

Approved for posting: KCCII, 11/5/24