From Gary Johnson, Chair of the VCCCDRA Benefits Committee:
Chancellor Greg Gillespie has strongly proposed to AFT, SEIU and the VCCCDRA Executive Board that the District ABANDON its past 47 year practice of directly contracting for health care benefits with long familiar providers, and instead contract with CalPERS to provide the benefits at an estimated savings to them of more than 10 million dollars. The consequence would have Tier II retirees receive Medicare and a Medicare supplemental plan as contract language provides for, and would also have Tier I retirees (hired before July 1, 1990 for faculty, and July 20, 1990 for classified) receive the same Medicare and a Medicare supplemental plan which is a substantial change that does not conform to contract language.
- The use of CalPERS as the benefit provider
- The removal of Anthem/Blue Cross and replacement with a mid-level Medicare plan that is inferior to what we currently have
- The removal of Dual coverage for employees who earned benefits but are legal partners in the same household
- The length of the agreement (3 years) with no guarantees that benefits will not be challenged or lessened at the end of
that date
Obviously there are an abundance of issues and concerns involved in this proposal and the District thinking is still in the process of being revealed. The retiree Executive Board is closely monitoring Union negotiations, has good relationships with both unions, and Board of Trustee members, and is actively exploring all options available for a retiree response.
AFT is urging a large turnout of active employees and retirees to show their concern by attending and speaking at the open session part of the next District Board Meeting and WE URGE YOU TO ATTEND AND EXPRESS YOUR CONCERNS ALSO.
Tuesday, September 10, 6:00 PM (arrive early)
VCCCD District Office
761 East Daily Drive, Camarillo
(original publish date: 08/21/2019)
To visit the VCCCDRA website, click here.
