Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/135412
Safeguarding healthcare The Coalition of State Workers United for a Better Delaware is alive and well, focused on seeing that you are represented on the state's "State Employee Benefits Committee," known as the SEBC. State employees on the SEBC will make it better he 14 unions comprising our Coalition of State Workers is busy implementing a strategy to fight for your seat at the health care benefits table. SB21 adds two state worker union representatives to the SEBC. Despite having many sponsors, the bill, which has passed the Senate, is stuck in the House Administration Committee. We are lobbying the people on that committee, as well as the bill's sponsors, to ask the committee chair to put it on the committee's agenda so that it has a chance to get to the House floor for debate. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Margaret Henry with additional primary sponsors, Reps. Larry Mitchell, John Kowalko and Helene Keeley . If co-sponsorship is any indication, the bill has lots of support. Cosponsors are Sens. Patti Blevins, Kathy Cloutier, Bruce Ennis, Bethany Hall-Long, Bob Marshall, Harris McDowell, Karen Peterson, Dave Sokola, Bryan Townsend; and Reps. John Atkins, Michael Barbieri, Paul Baumbach, Andria Bennett, Stephanie Bolden, Gerald Brady, Bill Carson, Debra Heffernan, Earl Jaques, James Johnson, Quinn Johnson, Michael Mulrooney, Ed Osienski, Charles Paradee, Charles Potter, Mike Ramone, Darryl Scott, Dan Short, T We have the ability to share best practices for saving the state money . Team Lobby Days every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: Join us! Members of the Coalition are teaming up in groups of two – four to go over to Legislative Hall to let the Senate Administration Committee members and bill sponsors know that it is very important to us that this bill see the light of day, and be given a fair hearing. Here's how it works. Arrive at the DSEA Dover building around noon for pizza, a briefing and a discussion of talking points. Together the group puts their lobbying teams together and decides which legislators to seek out. Someone will walk you over to Legislative Hall and explain where the legislator offices are located. If you can come to Dover for a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday afternoon in June, please contact Gerri Coble at 1-866-734-5834 or by email at Gerri.Coble@dsea.org. In May, before schools were out, most of the team lobbying was done by other members of the Coalition. Heading off to Leg Hall are (from left) State Troopers Mark Ryde and David Hanrich, and Jerry Conway, a member of the Communications Workers of America, who works for Homeland Security. Steve Smyk, John Viola, Rebecca Walker, and Kim Williams. So what's the problem? Key House leaders, as well as the administration, are opposing this bill. 10 May/June 2013 DSEA ACTION! Union representation on the Advisory Committee (SEBAC) is not working, not allowing us to make timely, informed decisions. This is not a new, radical idea. Unions are represented on similar benefits committees in Delaware and in other states, adding value to the deliberations of those groups. In Delaware, unions are part of the benefits committees for the City of Wilmington, New Castle County and Kent County where their input is valuable. The Coalition is already a proven, responsible partner with the State regarding improving the health care plans. Two years ago the Coalition helped the state save $400 million over the next ten years in health care costs through HB 81. The union paid for the services of a nationally-recognized actuarial firm. Thanks to their efforts, the administration changed the focus from cuts in benefits to savings, sparing Delaware families from significant cuts to their insurance and pensions, while saving the government $400 million. Bottom line: We have already shown that, when we do have a seat at the table, access to the same information, and the ability to ask our own questions, we can make contributions that make the state's decisions better than if we weren't there. State unions can add value to the process, helping the committee make BETTER decisions. Currently, state workers do not have access to the same information as members of the SEBC have. By allowing membership on the committee, unions can add valuable feedback and suggestions. State unions have national affiliates and affiliates in all 50 states. The Advisory Committee does not have access to the same information as members of SEBC or on the same timeline. Currently, per state rules regarding public committees, SEBAC comment occurs after a vote is taken. OMB Director Visalli chooses to allow SEBAC (and public) comment before the vote, but it is a courtesy, and can change from administration to administration. But won't we be greedy and self-serving? State workers have a personal, vested interest in keeping the state's health care plan solvent, and stable for the long-term. We are the ones who choose careers in public service, and are the most interested in responsible planning and financial sustainability . Many state employees work for five, ten, 15 years and more. For those who say that we are not held accountable to taxpayers, like elected officials and their designees, we say, "We ARE taxpayers, and we are here for the long-term, making Delaware better." Some current SEBC members have suggested that adding union members to the SEBC is unconstitutional because unions aren't allowed to bargain for state health care, and this would be considered bargaining. This is simply not true: The SEBC is a committee, not a bargaining unit. Bargaining assumes that there are two parties on an equal footing, recognized by the Public Employee Relations Board. This is a committee, where members take a vote and majority rules. There are seven people on the SEBC. Adding two union representatives would provide us an educated voice, a chance to help make Delaware's decisions about health care and its funding better. Nothing more, nothing less. www.dsea.org