March
03, 2009
Terri Singleton
Human Resource Director
City of Lansing
124 W.
(517) 483-4016
fax: (517) 483-4017
Terri Singleton,
I’m writing this letter to
you to address the various issues and concerns related to the Blue Cross Blue
Shield (BC/BS) pharmacy initiatives, which the City of
Since becoming aware of the BC/BS
Pharmacy Initiatives in December 2008, I have raised numerous questions and my
strong objection to how these BC/BS initiatives were implemented and agreed to
by City Administration, without any prior notification of IAFF Local 421.
Numerous Local 421 representatives have asked questions and have received no
response from the Human Resource Staff. These discussions have taken place
between Local 421 representatives, yourself and your staff, along with a letter
being sent to Labor Relations Manager S. Graham, dated, January 15, 2009. During
each conversation, IAFF Local 421 representatives have been told that the City
would “look into it and get back with us”. As of today’s date and approximately
three months later, I have had no verbal and/or written correspondence from the
City of
Based upon the discussions
that have taken place, I have been told that “this is a BC/BS initiative
and that it was not implemented by the City of
After three months of
receiving no written or verbal correspondence from the City, Local 421
researched this topic and obtained information that clearly indicates that the
City was made aware of these initiatives for the fall of 2007, along with the
impact to our members. I have also learned that the City was given the
opportunity to opt out of the initiatives at no cost to the City, as they would
not be charged a higher premium because they are self funded. However, after
the City became aware of these initiatives and the changes to our negotiated
benefits, the City preferred to
pass on the associated costs
onto our membership and changed our negotiated benefits without negotiating any
such change.
Throughout this process and
through my discussions with S. Graham, I also expressed my concerns as how the
City would view the timeliness of a Grievance being filed on this very issue.
My direct concern was that while Local 421 has been waiting for a response from
the City, we would surpass our timelines, as it relates to the first step of
the Grievance process. I clearly expressed my concern for this and stated that
I felt strongly that I did not want to waive my right to the Grievance and
Arbitration process, simply because this matter was being investigated. Sue and
I mutually agreed that due to the investigation and discussions that were
taking place, the timelines would be extended. I can truly appreciate the
willingness on the behalf of the City to attempt to work collaboratively on
this particular issue; however, I feel strongly that after three months with no
response, what I have learned through BC/BS and the potential impact to my
membership, I believe that I have been left no other option other than to file
on behalf of all adversely impacted members of IAFF Local 421.
After reviewing the
pharmaceutical initiatives that the City was and has been aware of, it clearly
outlines the impact to the member in the “What this means to members” section. So,
why was there no correspondence from the City to each respective bargaining
unit clearly outlining each initiative and the impact to our members, just as
it is outlined in the pharmacy initiative? Why was there no attempt on behalf
of the City to discuss and/or negotiate these changes, prior to the City
electing to not opt out? It would only seem prudent that the City would have
reviewed the initiatives, prior to electing to not opt out, would it not?
Again, I have been committed
to amicably resolving this matter; however, given the response from the City of
Lansing, or the lack there of, and the changes to our negotiated benefits with
no prior negotiations, it is my intent to inform you that I will be contacting
our Attorney to further discuss this matter and our response to the actions
taken by the City of Lansing. These initiatives, as implemented and agreed to
by the City, directly change our current 2006-2010 benefit plan design as
negotiated between Local 421 and the City of Lansing. IAFF Local 421 will also
be filing a Grievance by the close of the business day, March 04, 2009, on
behalf of all adversely affected members of IAFF Local 421.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bryan P. Epling, President
Cc Sue Graham, Labor
Relations Manager
Ronald R. Helveston, Esq.,
Helveston and Helveston, P.C.