Union Picket Underscores LaborImpasse

TAYLOR, Mich. - (02/10/06) – A handful of union employees atTaylor Community CU staged an informational picket outside thecredit union Thursday to protest the continued labor negotiations.Representatives of the Federation of CU Employees, local 4473, saidthe two sides were deadlocked over the issue of how much thelocal’s 23 employees should pay for increases in the healthinsurance premiums. Liz Duhn, spokesman for the union, said theyhad come to a tentative agreement for a multi-contract with 2%raises but healthcare issue is paramount. The latest offer from thecredit union would require employees to pay 51% of any increases inpremiums, with no cap, according to Duhn. “That has thepotential to be devastating,” she told The Credit UnionJournal, estimating a proposed 15% rise in premiums will cost theaverage employee $260 a month. Phillip Matous, president of the $50million credit union, acknowledged their request to have employeesshare in increased health care costs, but said until now the creditunion has paid 100% of health insurance premiums. He said hebelieves that position is neither unfair orunreasonable.