CWA Local  4319

705 Lime City Rd. - Rossford, OH 43460-1630

President:  Ronald D. Honse                         

Vice President :  Robert V. Hull Jr.             

Secretary - Treasurer : Terry B. Short

AFL-CIO Local 4319   ( 419 ) 661-4319               

                    FAX ( 419 ) 666-2522

                    Serving NW Ohio                          

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

____________________________________________

 

 

SUMMARY OF

REPORT OF FACT FINDER 

The University of Toledo

Health Care Negotiations

Report issued November 7, 2005 

The entire Report and Recommendation is available to each Union and the Unions’ membership for review and consideration.   

The issues presented to the Fact Finder and his Recommendations on each include: 

I.                   Deductibles/Out of Pocket Maximums 

The Fact Finder recommends the Unions’ position, that In-network and Out-of-network deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums to be cumulative, meaning payment toward one is credited toward payment of the other.

II.                Specialty Drugs 

The Fact Finder recommends the Unions’ position, that the prescription drug plan continue to have three tiers and not the four tiers proposed by the Employer.  This recommendation eliminates the potential $4,000 cost per drug to an employee who requires “specialty,” mostly injectable, drugs. 

III.             Prescription Drug Co-Pays 

The Fact Finder recommends a compromise position between the Union and the Employer proposals.  An on-campus pharmacy is recommended with 30 day and 90 day supplies available.   The 90-day, on-campus co-pays will remain the same for the life of the agreement:  Tier 1, $15; Tier 2, $25; and Tier 3, $35.  There is no off-campus 90-day supply option. 

The 30-day, on-campus co-pays will increase each year, starting immediately with the next cost increase in January 2007 and then again in January 2008.  The costs for Tier 1 drugs will be $5, then $6 and then $7; Tier 2 will be $10, $12, and then $14; Tier 3 (non-preferred brands) will be $15, $18, and then $20.   

Off-campus costs will also increase each year, starting immediately with the next cost increase in January 2007 and then again in January 2008.  The costs for Tier 1 drugs will be $10, then $11 and then $12; Tier 2 will be $20, $22, and then $25; Tier 3 (non-preferred brands) will be $30, $33, and then $38. 

The Fact Finder recommends the on-campus pharmacy will have to be open for business six (6) days a week, with the Employer determining the hours, and negotiations will occur for the prescription drug plan only in the event the Employer discontinues the on-campus pharmacy. 

IV.              Spousal Coverage 

The Fact Finder recommends the Unions’ position, that current language be retained with regard to spousal coverage. 

V.                 Wellness Committee 

The Fact Finder recommends the Employer’s position that the Wellness Committee be re-convened but the funding of any projects recommended by the Wellness Committee should be discretionary with the Employer. 

VI.              Domestic Partner Benefits 

The Fact Finder recommends the Unions’ position, that the Employer extend health care benefit coverage to domestic partners of employees under the same terms and conditions such benefits are offered by The Ohio State University to its employees.  The Fact Finder recommends that if it is ultimately determined by a state or federal court of competent jurisdiction that the Employer may not lawfully provide this benefit, the provision would be stricken from the contract.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       LABOR