URA Steward Appreciation Night Monday at the RAC
 | The URA-AFT celebrated the hard work and dedication of its stewards Monday night (2/1) by going out to watch the Lady Knights take on Notre Dame. Although the top-ranked Fighting Irish edged out RU, a good time was had by all. See the photos at http://www.ura-aft.org/020110basketball |
Public Employees’ Alliance Challenges Medco Changes
URA members who regularly use their State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) prescription plan are upset about changes implemented by Medco, the new contractor administering the plan.
These concerns came to light at the January 11 general membership meeting. Now, URA is working with the Public Employees Committee of the New Jersey AFL-CIO to demand a complete accounting of the changes from SHPB officials and Medco itself.
 Kay Schechter |
Kay Schechter sees many potential problems. Schechter is a College Avenue steward whose family of five relies on her prescription coverage. “Depending on the drug, the differences can be very serious” she said. Schechter said that generics, such as those for attention deficit disorder, are not always as precise, and they may work or not, possibly leaving children “bouncing off the wall.” She asked what happens if the antibiotic that works for you is not covered. “If a doctor gives you x and then y and then z, you can be sick for a month and near pneumonia before you find another effective treatment.” |
February Membership Meeting
Teleconferenced between three campuses.
Camden: Armitage Hall, Dean's Conference Room.
Newark: Special Collections room, Dana Library, Fourth floor.
New Brunswick: Labor Education Center, room 133
Most U.S. Union Members Are Working for the Government, New Data Shows
By STEVEN GREENHOUSE, January 23, 2010, NY Times
[Quotes Rutgers Professor Paula Voos]
For the first time in American history, a majority of union members are government workers rather than private-sector employees, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced on Friday.
N.J. Comptroller plans crackdown on public employee sick-time abuse
The Associated Press, January 22, 2010, 5:30AM, The Star-Ledger
TRENTON -- New Jersey's comptroller said his office will increase its scrutiny of sick time usage by public employees to make sure those days are not being used for personal business.
Trumka: Mass Vote Should be Wake Up Call
AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka says the Massachusetts election results should be a wake up call for activists to fight harder than ever for issues important to working families.
Need to Make Decisions About Retirement Systems or State Benefits?
Visit the State Treasury Division of Pensions and Benefits at http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions to find publications and online services.
Report Back from Assembly Swearing-in Ceremony
Oliver leads assembly members in oath of office.
New Jersey’s 80 assembly representatives were sworn into office January 12 as Sheila Y. Oliver became the 169th Assembly Speaker. Assemblywoman Oliver is only the second African American women in the country to hold such an office, according to URA-AFT legislative chairwomen Helen Pirrello.
Accord Reached on Insurance Tax for Costly Plans
ROBERT PEAR and STEVEN GREENHOUSE
Published: January 14, 2010
WASHINGTON — The White House, Congressional leaders and labor unions said Thursday that they had reached agreement on a proposal to tax high-cost health insurance policies, resolving one of the major differences between the House and the Senate over far-reaching health legislation.
[...]
In addition, they said, health plans covering state and local government employees and collectively bargained health plans would be exempt from the tax until 2018. This transition period addresses the concerns of schoolteachers and other public employees who have denounced the tax.
Unions, NY Assembly Push to End 'Temporary' Hires
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, January 15, 2010, 8:40 a.m. ET
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Public worker unions and New York's Assembly are angling to curb the hiring of temporary workers and consultants instead of permanent state employees who Gov. David Paterson says saves taxpayers money.
