Reply to APS and new healthcare provider

Forum Index » VA Public Schools other than FCPS

Reply to "APS and new healthcare provider"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Isn't he the union rep? Why are folks shocked when he fights for his members? That is kind of his job.

[/quote]
He’s on the compensation committee. If you’re fighting on behalf of the union is it common to mention it? I don’t really know. [/quote]

Hmm. Maybe he isn't anymore. I found an article from 2021 where he was a union rep, but maybe that term expired. But I am guessing even if his term expired that is the head space he is coming from. Anyway, I don't mind his fight or anyone's fight. Workers have a right (or should have a right) to fight against what they consider unfair work practices. So I don't really understand why people are complaining about that. I get that some people think it is no big deal, but it is a big deal to some folks. And I get that some folks think this kind of thing is common practice (but just because something is common practice doesn't mean it doesn't suck or folks shouldn't speak out against it).

[/quote]

I really don't believe people actually begrudge him speaking out. It's the constant plea to parents to speak out on behalf of every cause as well. Even that is fine on many issues; but most seem to think being called to arms "in support" of the health insurance change crosses a line. It absolutely sucks for those who have been on Kaiser for a long time, especially if they love it. But for the half of the teachers, it's the same nuisance as anybody else goes through when their employer changes plans....only they may actually be getting a better plan.[/quote]

Really agree with this.  I generally don’t mind that he passionately advocates for teachers – but I think his approach is wrong on this health insurance thing.  There was a post that disappeared that said, essentially, “look at all of the APS families who either don’t have insurance or it is woefully inadequate – get some perspective.”

It’s fine to be irritated and even angry that you have to change your providers if you like them.  I get it.  It sucks.  APS could have handled the whole thing MUCH better, even if they followed the norm for such things.  That would be a better advocacy angle, IMO.  What harm is done by letting folks with Kaiser know that they didn’t bid (for whatever reasons, and if nefarious, that’s a problem) and change was coming?

It’s was always going to be too late to “fight” to retain Kaiser.  The minute they didn’t bid (again, for whatever reason), the party was over.  But being transparent about it IS/WAS possible and they screwed the pooch on that.

How did APS not realize that this was going to be ugly when 50% of the employees use Kaiser?  Even if there’s no advance notice, have fact sheets ready because someone is going to ask questions.  It isn’t that hard.  And if there was no subterfuge to ditch Kaiser, this should be very straightforward.  But someone is going to FOIA that stuff, so we will all find out eventually.  Sigh.

[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics