"Our Association originally sponsored the local option law that allows for coalition bargaining (Section 19, Chapter 32B) and remains one of its staunchest supporters," comments Association Legislative Chairman Bill Hill. "We're pleased to see Holyoke join the coalition ranks and encourage other communities to consider the same."

As the chart shows (below), our Association designates a retiree representative to serve on Holyoke's coalition bargaining committee. One candidate, for the committee seat, stood out.

"Retired firefighter Jack McCarthy was the clear choice," announced President Ralph White. "We've supported Jack as one of the elected members on Holyoke's Retirement Board because we've seen firsthand his outstanding service on behalf of the city's retirees, and we're confident that we'll see the same from Jack on the coalition."

In addition to his retirement board position, McCarthy has been serving as the retiree representative on Holyoke's Insurance Advisory Committee (IAC). Under the municipal health insurance law (Section 3, Chapter 32B), the IAC is an advisory body, which reviews the city's health insurance proposals and makes recommendations.

"I'm grateful that the Association has given me this opportunity to serve my fellow retirees," states McCarthy. "And, I look forward to the challenges that the bargaining committee will be facing as it seeks to provide affordable health insurance of the best quality."

Currently, Holyoke retirees and employees contribute 50% of the health insurance premium. Holyoke offers a number of Blue Cross/Blue Shield products under its health insurance program and will continue to do so under coalition bargaining.

Editor's Note: As we went to press, a question remained whether the Pioneer Health Plan would continue to be offered, at least for now.

An article in the Town Meeting warrant, that would potentially endanger the Framingham coalition's insurance agreement, received a favorable 75-53 vote by Town Meeting members on May 13. Framingham was the first community to implement coalition bargaining some 10 years ago.

The article, sponsored by Steven Kruger, representing the Framingham Taxpayers Association, says that Town Meeting will be reluctant to approve pay raises until the coalition bargaining agreement is repealed and the cost of employee and retiree health insurance is reduced significantly.

"This is a blatant attempt by The Taxpayers Association to force the abolition of coalition bargaining by threatening to withhold pay raises," said Framingham retiree activist Steve Arnold. "It cannot be tolerated.

"We gave up earlier pay raises in order to help the town obtain better coverage. We saved the town millions...we made sacrifices that people forget."

Town meeting member Tom O'Neil was successful in amending the article by including a resolution that requires the selectmen to establish a seven-member study committee, including employee or retiree membership. It will report to Town Meeting this fall.

This will at least temporarily forestall any activity created by the opponents of coalition bargaining.

• Establishes an employee health care bargaining committee comprised of a representative of each collective bargaining unit and a retiree representative appointed by our Association.
• Requires that health insurance plans offered by a community must be approved by a 70% vote of the committee, with each union representative having a vote equal to the insured membership of the work force and the retiree representative's vote set to 10% in each community.
• Provides that retirees, survivors and employees all pay the same premium percent contribution toward their health insurance plan.
• Eliminates the requirement that a community offer an indemnity plan, but if coverage is provided through HMOs and PPOs, out-of-area retirees must receive the same benefits as in-area retirees.