Union nixes paying toward health costs
Next step could be mediation, mayor says
BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer
Union representatives for a number of Brick Township employees don't think workers should have to pay anything for their health care premiums.

Several Transport Workers Union officials and close to 100 township employees came to the Sept. 23 Township Council meeting to let officials know they won't budge on their stance to oppose any contributions for health care premiums.

"That 'do more with less' net only casts so far, and we are at the limit, right here, of that net," Chris Mickkelson, president of TWU Local 225, Branch 4, told council members and Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis.

"We have always done more with less," Mickkelson said. "We just want a fair increase and we want to hold on to the health benefits. We are not willing to be the first to give in on that."

The TWU represents 225 township employees, TWU shop steward John Menshon said.

We are not here to whine or cry," he said. "I'm not here to bang my fist and yell 'more, more, more' We are not satisfied with the direction of the negotiations."

The union sympathizes with township officials and understands the burden the state-imposed budget cap puts on municipalities, he said.

"We as union reps have an obligation to try and hold on to these benefits we worked so hard to gain over the years," Menshon said. "I will continue to look out for my membership's interests. The workers are out there every day getting the job done. This town doesn't run itself. It runs because those employees behind me made it happen."

Township officials announced earlier this month that starting Jan. 1, non-contractual employees would be required to contribute at least 1 percent of their salaries toward their health care premiums.

Brick employees currently pay nothing toward the cost of health care premiums with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, the township's health insurance carrier. They pay $5 co-pays for visits to primary care physicians and specialists. They pay $5 for generic prescriptions and $10 for brandname drugs.

The state has limited all municipalities to a 4 percent cap on the amount to be raised by taxation to support their budgets each year. Health care expenses fall within that cap, Acropolis has said.

The township's health care premium costs rose $1.3 million this year and the township absorbed the cost, with no increase to employees, Township Administrator Scott M. Pezarras said.

The township benefits are better than the state health plan benefits, he said.

The state has a $1 million cap on medical expenses; the township has no cap on coverage, Pezarras said.

It costs the township between $19,000 and $22,000 a year for family coverage for one employee. That includes dental, prescriptions, vision and health care, Pezarras said.

"We don't just represent 225 members," Acropolis said. "We represent 85,000 people who live in Brick Township. Never before has a government faced such a hard levy cap. None. Zero. Zip. These are uncharted waters, ladies and gentleman. There are no choices. That 4 percent levy cap, that's all there is."

The township has met about a dozen times with union representatives, with no resolution in sight, Acropolis said after the meeting.

There are no other negotiation sessions scheduled, the mayor said after the meeting.

"Mediation," Acropolis said. "That's where I think we are going next."

Resident Nan Coll was unmoved by union representatives statements.

"None of them are going to work unless they are paid," Coll said during the public comment portion of the meeting. "I pay them. My husband pays them. Everybody who pays taxes in Brick pays them. We make it work. Please remember, you don't get your money, you don't get your benefits unless you get it from us."

Many people came to public employment jobs for the health care benefits, Susan Resch, TWU vice president, said at the meeting.

"We knew we weren't going to get rich," she said. "What we are looking for is just our fair share. We are looking to preserve our medical benefits. Our membership has given us that direction."

All three union officials noted that the TWU had supported the township's decision to leave the state health benefits plan back in the early 2000s.

Pezarras said municipalities will have to live within the constraints of the state-imposed cap for the next four years.

"I think we are going to be seeing real tough years again," he told the union officials. "If you don't like what I'm proposing, bring me something that I can work with."