BLE blocks thousamds of engineers from participating in new BC/BS healthcare option

BLE blocks thousands of engineers
from participating in new
BlueCross/BlueShield healthcare option

CLEVELAND -- Thousands of UTU members working as locomotive engineers are not being allowed to enroll in the new NRC/UTU Health and Welfare Plan because the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) refused to allow them to be eligible.

Now that those eligible are receiving the new UTU Health and Welfare Plan materials, many locomotive engineers are asking International Headquarters why UTU members working under BLE contracts did not receive enrollment forms.

"We said it would be right and fair if all UTU members can participate in the new UTU Plan," said Assistant President Byron A. Boyd, Jr. "The BLE said not if they're locomotive engineers and work under contracts we hold. They said, 'Nuts!' "So, now the BLE is holding health insurance choice hostage for thousands of locomotive engineers who belong to the UTU," continued Boyd. "This is just one more reason why one union should represent all operating employees. The BLE just doesn't want locomotive engineers who belong to the UTU to get better healthcare choice than engineers that belong to it."

Beginning January 1, the new UTU Plan offers BlueCross/BlueShield as an option along with United HealthCare and Aetna. The National Health and Welfare Plan, which the BLE belongs to as still does the UTU, does not have the BlueCross/BlueShield option.

"Dating back to the discussions between UTU and BLE in exploring the possibility of creating a new union," said Boyd, "we told BLE about our intention to implement this Plan and offer improved healthcare choice for our members, and we invited the BLE to participate with UTU in order to avoid this type of situation. But the BLE never responded to our invitation to do a better job in healthcare for our combined memberships. At the time it seemed a bit odd, but as we reflect upon their action to withdraw from those discussions, their motives in not responding are now obvious."

Boyd said that as the deadline approached for determining the eligible employees of the participating Class 1 railroads who would receive the enrollment material, UTU again contacted the BLE and requested their concurrence in allowing Plan eligibility to be based upon the individual's union membership, rather than being based upon the craft in which they work on a particular date in a calendar month.

"The only response we got from the BLE was, 'Nuts!"" Boyd said. "We're still trying to figure out who is 'nuts' over there, and why the BLE would denigrate such a famous World War II quote from General Anthony C. McAuliffe at the Battle of the Bulge with such small-minded pettiness. Once again, they've insulted veterans of that war."

Boyd continued, "If you belong to a union, another union shouldn't block you from having all of the benefits of membership just because you happen to be working in a craft they represent at that moment in time and they can't match the benefits."

Boyd said that the American worker wants healthcare choice, and that it is wrong for the BLE to block that choice for thousands of UTU members. "The BLE is a union that is taking away healthcare choice from thousands of railroad workers," said Boyd. "That's the exact opposite of what a respectable union should be doing. That's nuts!"

The BLE ignored the fact that its acceptance of the proposal that all UTU members be covered by the new Health & Welfare Plan would have greatly reduced the Plan administration issues, and would have a positive effect on the affected members as they would not have to guess whether they are covered under the UTU Plan or the National Plan in any given month. This could not be implemented, however, without the concurrence of BLE as it involved collective bargaining agreements over which BLE has sole and exclusive jurisdiction.

As a result of this BLE position, the mailing of the enrollment material was delayed approximately 30 days while UTU attempted to determine what may be in the best interest of the loyal UTU engineer members, who could be severely affected by the BLE's decision. It was determined that the best course would be to select September 1, 1999, as the date to identify eligible employees as those who were reported by the railroads as working in a position represented by UTU.

Another aspect of the BLE's decision is that conductors and brakemen who, for whatever reason, have elected to pay dues to BLE will be eligible for the UTU Plan.

"UTU has always viewed the exercise of choice in determining one's benefits as a positive," said Boyd. "This is particularly true when it comes to obtaining medical benefits for one's family. And while change is oftentimes met with fear and trepidation because one has grown comfortable with the status quo, change can be positive as it is in this case."

FAQ

While UTU engineers working under BLE agreements are not eligible for the UTU Plan, the International will continue to handle any problems and/or complaints they may have with regard to the application of the National Plan in order to assure that they receive all of the benefits for which the Plan provides. The union encourages all members to contact the International Headquarters if they experience any such problems. Call Jeff Weisbarth at 216-228-9400.

Other frequently asked questions involve:

Q. Whether there will be any additional cost to members exercising their option to select Regence Life and Health as their BlueCross/BlueShield medical benefit provider?

A.   The answer to the first question is that there is no additional cost in selecting Regence Life and Health.

Q.   Whether members covered by Railroad Hospital Associations are eligible for the UTU Plan.

A.   In response to the second question, employees covered by Hospital Associations are not eligible, but their dependents are eligible for the UTU Plan. This is an identical application to that which is currently in place under the National Plan.