Comments on: Slow Start for GIC-Municipalities Law http://commonhealth.wbur.org/wbur-posts-and-stories/2007/09/slow-start-for-gic-municipalities-law/ CommonHealth Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:45:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: David S http://commonhealth.wbur.org/wbur-posts-and-stories/2007/09/slow-start-for-gic-municipalities-law/comment-page-1/#comment-3738 David S Sat, 29 Sep 2007 00:39:00 +0000 http://www.wbur.org/weblogs/commonhealth/?p=225#comment-3738 Unfortunately, the decision is not in the hands of municipal leaders--its in the hands of the unions. The law creates a very high threshold for entry into the GIC, virtually guaranteeing that cities and towns will have to make large offsetting concessions to get the votes needed at the margin. This is a poor compromise, which will force many cities and towns to lay off teachers and other workers in the coming fiscal years. Unfortunately, the decision is not in the hands of municipal leaders–its in the hands of the unions. The law creates a very high threshold for entry into the GIC, virtually guaranteeing that cities and towns will have to make large offsetting concessions to get the votes needed at the margin. This is a poor compromise, which will force many cities and towns to lay off teachers and other workers in the coming fiscal years.

]]> By: Tim C http://commonhealth.wbur.org/wbur-posts-and-stories/2007/09/slow-start-for-gic-municipalities-law/comment-page-1/#comment-3714 Tim C Fri, 28 Sep 2007 12:35:03 +0000 http://www.wbur.org/weblogs/commonhealth/?p=225#comment-3714 Why are we surprised that so few communities have been unable to reach a decision to give up their right to negotiate health benefits? The Oct. 1 deadline was far too tight to (a) educate members about the differences in plan designs -- which are not insignificant, (b) convince members that giving up their ability to bargain benefits was in their best interest, and (c) schedule and hold a vote on making the switch. August is generall a lost month, and September can be a tad hectic for at least one major union -- the teachers. So, in essence the time to make a decision boiled down to a few intense weeks of disussions on a major contract item -- health insurance. The one-month extension may help a few more communities make the switch, but let's not jump to the conclusion that we need to force cities and towns into the GIC just yet. Why are we surprised that so few communities have been unable to reach a decision to give up their right to negotiate health benefits?

The Oct. 1 deadline was far too tight to (a) educate members about the differences in plan designs — which are not insignificant, (b) convince members that giving up their ability to bargain benefits was in their best interest, and (c) schedule and hold a vote on making the switch. August is generall a lost month, and September can be a tad hectic for at least one major union — the teachers. So, in essence the time to make a decision boiled down to a few intense weeks of disussions on a major contract item — health insurance.

The one-month extension may help a few more communities make the switch, but let’s not jump to the conclusion that we need to force cities and towns into the GIC just yet.

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