Alcatel-Lucent 2014 Bargaining Report #18

Bargaining Report #18

Alcatel-Lucent Installation

Today’s Bargaining focused on health care.  The Company’s first proposal doubled premiums for single coverage and tripled premiums for families.  It also included annual deductibles of $500 for individuals, $1000 for two people and $1500 for families.  That means, in addition to the premiums, the plan would not pay anything until the deductibles are met.  There were also increases in co-payments for doctor visits, hospitalization, emergency room visits and prescription drugs.   While we all understand there have been large increases in the cost of medical care and our members have had only one increase since 2004, their proposed increases are way too high.  The company has saved millions in active medical costs over the last few years by downsizing the active workforce and, with SVTP, moving people into the retiree plan.  The cost of retiree health care comes out of the Pension Fund. We countered with some small increases in cost to our members and will continue discussion with the Company over this issue next week.

We will be bargaining tomorrow but unless there is some significant progress, the next bargaining report will be Monday morning.

Your bargaining team,

Laura Unger

Martha Flagge, Staff Representative

Mike Klein, Local 4050/4090

Rick Mulledy, Local 4390