But this comment from a Human Services worker tells us that medical benefits are going to become more costly, possibly as a result of Obamacare.
John Brown informed the Human Services Departments today that he intends to change their medical benefits as of January 2015. He plans to increase their deductibles, co-pays, prescriptions, and add a costly co-insurance. All of this could potentially cost the employee $6,500-$14,500 additional a year depending on if they have an individual or family policy. He stated that the employees needed to "give back" to the county. Truthfully, these employees "give back" to the county on a daily basis in all that they do to serve the people of the county whether it is for CYF, Aging, Mental Health, D and A, or Early Intervention. He also planned to make these changes outside of the contracts and without any negotiations. This is in addition to any changes he will likely make to the employees [sic] contribution to their medical benefits. He has also indicate he has no intention of giving any raises so this will cause employees to see a drastic cut in their pay, which is not a whole lot for the work that they do.
John Brown also fails to comprehend and neglects to inform the public that the county receives a reimbursement for each Human Services employee's salary and medical benefits. This reimbursement is between 80%-100% of the salary and benefits plan for EACH employee. He has indicated that the Human Services are the reason the county is in financial distress but in actuality, the county pays very little to nothing for county caseworkers. Maybe the financial stress has more to do with all the different companies he has hired to look at effecieny [sic] and financial issues. Maybe he should take that money and actually pay some county bills with it.
49 comments:
" possibly as a result of Obamacare "
because healthcare costs didn't go up before obama
Brown is simply intent on shutting down the Courthouse and government center. He is trying to do it with the stroke of a pen without bargaining or council approval.
6:25,
You mean Brown has a pen and a phone, like Obama? As Barack said, elections have consequences.
Thank You Bernie for posting this article as this is fact. Most County Human Service Departments are reimbursed between the amount mentioned. It is time the public is educated to exactly what cost and reimbursements the county receives. This way the voters and public understand it is not the human service workforce that is the cause for this financial strain.
For a leader and elected politician to meet with all stewards of all the unions to tell them this is either desperate or bold.
The fact is that the Obamacare luxury tax will not take hold until 2018 as of right now. However, there is bi-partisan support in Congress that this luxury tax on "Cadillac plans" will be eliminated. This was a huge over site in the bill that was and is at times incomprehensible.
For a leader and negotiator to call foul on something that is scheduled to happen 3 years from now and seems it may never is downright idiotic. What person or union would go along with this? Negotiations bring out facts and whoever is telling him this or whatever agenda is behind this is just down right wrong.
Maybe it is time this leader and his appointees spend time to get educated on what workers do, how the programs are funded, and what the employees need.
Fact is Brown has yet to meet with any Human Service staff. He has only met with the stewards of one union on a few occasions. He touts that he knows the pulse of the county workforce at town hall meetings, yet he has never discussed or even met with the workforce other than a few people.
Don't buy the Proppganda the Sahl Communications is trying to provide. As this recent demand and ideology will only result in one thing, unity.
Unity with all staff whether they are union or not, mgrs or casework staff, sheriffs, or tip staff, etc.
Trying to take money from workers, changing pensions rates, and not promoting workers inside the county has totally dropped morale to the bottom of the ship.
It is time that the work force wake up and take a united stand against tyranny.
This all awhile when he hires his appointed staff at 15 to 20+ more than outgoing staff from Stoffa. Some after a full 8 years.
Thank You again for bringing this to the public and they need to know.
Well said @7:11 am.
Brown speaks out of both sides of his mouth. Earlier at a town meeting he told people in attendance that he wasn't going to do anything to hurt the employees that they are in fact the backbone of our county. Now he wants to treat them and their families like shit and through his ignorance of how the county works he will destroy the labor force. No one will work for the county with those low wages and no benefits. Further proof that this guy has no idea about county workers or the people they serve.
What did you jerks expect would happen. When the democrats running in the November Election told us that Brown would balance budgets on the backs of the Unions and workforce, did you listen. NO. You elected this asshole anyway. You get exactly what you voted for. Screw the work force. I don't work for the County so screw the County. You people never learn.
the county employees should give back ? how much does he want ? we county workers always got paid less than the private sector, just what is his problem he acts as though we owe him something ,we don't except an honest days work. he walks the hallways and never smiles or greets any of us employees as though we are beneath him. he need to recognize we can't afford less than we make now or there will be 100's of lining up for food stamps ,plenty of them receive them now...take a look at our wages ..sad he would even consider doing this!
Those town hall meetings and brown bag lunches were a cruel ruse to convey trust to a workforce Brown intends to throw under the bus. He may have called them the "backbone" of the county, but he will be kicking them in the tail bone very shortly.
John Brownpants= Worst executive in county history & worst mayor in Bangor history. At least he's consistent.
I think if he proposes a tax hike, that will indicate he cares about the workforce and is unwilling to balance the budget on their backs. If the hike is opposed by Dems who want to make him look bad, then they will be the ones kicking the employees.
"because healthcare costs didn't go up before obama"
That is not what I mean. What I mean is that the county health plan could be classified a Cadillac plan and subjected to penalties. here is a school of thought saying that is not so. I don't pretend to know.
While I'm not familiar with the exact issues of the county, I can say that the "Cadillac Tax" is a very real issue right now for many union employers, and is beginning to come up in contract discussions. Despite Anon 7:11's comments, 2018 isn't that far away and needs to be planned for when you are doing contract now that may be 4-5 years in length. Responsible employers need to plan for these things, and you can't responsibly just assume a law will be repealed.
Obamacare (IMO) was a bad idea to begin with but at least the plan, as originally proposed, was cohesive andmade some sense to those who believed in its goals. However, it then was changed in many ways without regard to the effects of the changes, as the ultimate goal became to gather enough votes to pass. This became even worse with Executive Order exceptions, changes, and delays to the law after it passed. The end result is a disastrous law that no one is happy with because it doesn't make sense, and this is just one of its unintended results.
anon 11:23, Ms. Allen. Thank you for not only the Brown rebuttal but the Republican Party line. You folks have to stop using Obama for every stupid thing you do. Last year you guys ran against Obama and won a county race. Shows the intelligence of local voters. Now you plan to do the usual republican thing and screw employees and blame Obama, Your playbook is getting old.
We all know Brown wants s a huge tax increase. Like Stoffa he will hype the Obama ruse and then try and intimidate the Democrats on county council into voting for a tax increase to save the employees.
However, they are on to that game.
By the way I finally can afford healthcare insurance as an individual. Remember individuals, you claim to care about us. You hate Obama so much you forgot about us. So millions of us are very happy.
Brown needs to make cuts for next year's budget. Given the ACA coming in the future, this is a place to start now. If Brown and the R's pass a big tax increase, they will be lame ducks for the next 3 years like Jane Ervin and Dean Browning were.
The employees and retirees were warned numerous times about Brown and the tea party republican county council plans before the election. Even the employee friendly Ms. Ferraro made sure her daughter got a $20k raise but has pledged to never voted for a retiree COLA, so there. They not only sat on their asses at home but many voted straight republican. Now you live with it.
He wants money in his coffers.
Who the Hell do Republican blame and slam when they want more money, workers. It is the way it has always been.
You folks did this to yourselves. You had the chance to elect people with both common sense and compassion and you did the usual lazy routine.
Enjoy the next four years. You earned it.
brown actually pledeged to LOWER taxes in his mail pieces in November. he better not raise them now
all anyone expects is fairness and transparency ...stop slamming the employees everytime you find yourself in a jam! it's not the employees fault and plenty of us are the working poor who can't afford to lose even more it's just plain wrong period! we are never ever appreciated for what we do ...BROWN LIED SIMPLE AS THAT ! shame shame shame on him!
A direct quote from that mailer:
"As your county executive, Brown will fight to:
*Stop out-of-control spending
*Reduce your taxes
*Restore fiscal accountability"
That's what the voters wanted. We'll find out soon if he's a man of his word.
You will have ample opportunity to play politics in a few years. For now drop the bullshit. We all know that brown refused to take a pledge that he would never raise taxes. I believe attacks like husband needed for over two years. In five councilmembers play politics instead of governing, there will be massive layoffs as well as a cut in County services. So if you have any respect for the worker will stop the nonsense
WTF did you mean with your last post BO? Are you on a sugar high from the cupcakes?
My meaning is clear. When you politicize everything, nothing gets done. You just hurt the workers and the people, so can the politics for now.
People make it sound as if the county employees were the only ones who were able to vote in that election and they are solely responsible for Brown being elected. What about all the other citizens of Northampton County who voted for him?
3:13 is correct. The workers are the so called middle class right? But they are the ones paying for all the people on public assistance, make too much to receive any government help, and too poor to find the loopholes to get out of paying taxes. And now he wants to balance his budget with their money he is taking from them when the county is barely paying for their salary and benefits in the first place. Plus, according to the ACA website employee benefit plans are grandfathered in if they have been in place since March 2010. The county's has been effect much longer than that. It looks like the Cadillac plan tax doesn't affect plans that have been grandfathered in the first place so the changes he is proposing are not necessary.
The heads of every union were called into a meeting on Thursday and told in no uncertain terms that Mr. Brown would not be raising taxes and to take all contracts to arbitration. They were also told that all non-union employees can expect a multi-year wage freeze and higher medical costs. At least the union employees have arbitration as an option, the non-union employees have to sit back and take it. It's going to be a long bumpy ride:( Oh did I forget to add he wants to cut vacation and sick time back as well?
Sell Gracedale.
9:47, OK, Your comment raises a few questions. Were you at this meeting? Who was the speaker? Was it Brown or someone else, and if so, who? I have a hard time believing Brown would say that bc he plays his cards close to the vest. I don't think he's really decided what to do. I heard from someone that he said something similar to what you are saying to the corrections officers. But I have not heard it from anyone first hand. From everything I know about the county, a decision against a tax hike is contrary to the best interests of the county. It would needlessly hurt workers who are already suffering. Since Brown has repeatedly stated how much he values the employee, what you are saying seems off. I hope you are mistaken.
anon 4:20 is correct. Many of us still have the mailer. Mr. Brown promised us he would cut taxes not raise them. He has assured party officials he can be trusted to do as he promised.
His integrity is at stake. He will not lie. The employees are lucky to have a job and if some get laid off, that is life. We cannot continue to bear the burden of ongoing tax increases.
It is a matter of trust. Can we trust Mr. Brown and the county council members to keep their word about taxes. I hope so.
The above comment, of course, is an obvious Democratic plant Play politics later.
John Brown promised no tax increase. He made that promise to people of both parties and led to his victory. You are playing politics Mr. O'Hare. You are trying to bluff people into supporting a tax increase because you want a tax increase. You pay no county property taxes so why would you care if they go up.
Stop bullshiting people.
Mr. O'Hare...I was at the meeting Thursday with the union reps. Brown spoke and presented a gloom and doom power point (which I am hoping you will use your "Right to Know " tactics to gain access) that backed up the previous comments that you dispute. He made it clear that he will not raise taxes and he implied that the county employees will be held accountable for Norco's fiscal crisis. I am a high ranking union official and we need to talk. How?
Balance the budget on the backs of the employees is the traditional Republican answer to all government financial woes.
Reibman tried it and got his ass handed to him. There are approximately 2500 County employees and approximately 1000 retirees. They will vote their wallets in the next election just like they did with Reibman.
Brown has no clue
as to what can of worms he is opening but he will soon find out.
The people living on fixed incomes will suffer greatly and if you are a County Retiree you will get a tax increase and higher medical costs so you get a double whammy. County employees do not make big paychecks. Only a handful of professionals on the County payroll (Browns staff etc.) make the big bucks and can afford no wage hikes and bigger taxes. The rest of us will pay a terrible price.
6:59, Contact me at bohare5948@aol.com or 610.533.7379 . If he thinks he can drive on without a tax hike and no reserve, that means he is balancing the budget on the backs of county employees. That would be financially irresponsible.
"You are trying to bluff people into supporting a tax increase because you want a tax increase."
That is true. I want to do what is financially responsible.
BO I am the poster at 9:47 and as a previous comment reflected this meeting did in fact happen. I was in the meeting and Mr. Brown made it clear that he would NOT be raising taxes under any circumstances. In my opinion Mr. Brown thinks county government is much too large and embraces the idea of downsizing through layoffs and attrition. It is important for everyone to realize that both union and non-union employees are under attack. County morale is at an all time low. Non-union employees can expect to receive notice soon of a wage freeze as well as an increase in medical. They can also expect a decrease in the amount of sick and vacation time they can accrue. The fate of all of the union contracts will land in the hands of an arbitrator, who will hopefully see through Mr. Brown's clouded vision. The hard working and dedicated employees of the county deserve better.
"They were also told that all non-union employees can expect a multi-year wage freeze and higher medical costs."
That is bullshit, because some members of DCED were given desk audits (even though the employees were told all desk audits were frozen) and were given raises by putting them on different scale classifications. So, some employees were taken care of, depending on who you are, like contractors.
I can assure you that the comment was made so it's not bullshit, what could be bullshit is how Mr. Brown and his administration choose to implement said policy and who it effects and who it doesn't effect.
Thank you...I am at work but willl contact you soon. Looking forward to it
Not all union contracts have binding arbitration. Just courts and corrections. Elections have consequences and Brown ran on a platform that criticized Callahan for raising taxes. If he proposes higher property taxes in his first year he'll be seen as a hypocrite and will lose support from within his Republican party.
11:40 - Oh, I'm sure the comment was made. What I'm saying is the content is bullshit. Everything Brown regurgitates from his unemployed consultant mouth is bullshit and double-speak. Nobody trusts him in the slate belt. Other top Republicans are distancing themselves from this amateur. He will go down in flames. Now all we need to know, is if he's taking the County down with him.
I trust John Brown to keep his word. Time for the county people to tighten their belts like everyone else.
the county people tightened there belts long before anyone else out there...stop blaming the employees ...they are the working poor!
Hold your breath for three more years. There's no way he's going to get voted back in.
Like Brackbill, Brown will be a one-term executive. He is floundering around with half-baked ideas and faulty advice. He sees nothing wrong in spending $87 K on a useless PR contract while stabbing employees in the back. He is a robotic corporate wannabee who, along with his henchwoman Allen couldn't run a third rate borough let alone a third class county.
I agree, not a nice man to work for
That is not what I mean. What I mean is that the county health plan could be classified a Cadillac plan and subjected to penalties. here is a school of thought saying that is not so. I don't pretend to know.
Cadillac Plan:
$10,200 for individuals or $27,500 for a family (not including vision and dental benefits) starting in 2018
School of thought? They either exceed these numbers or not. I'm guessing not. Just more bullshit laid on the back of workers with "Obamacare" used as the scapegoat. Shameless.
Yes it is simply bs! i have no idea how i am goning to pay for this health care plan. maybe just die and decrease the surplus population. thank you mr brown you now force me to not seek medical care.
Brown and his tea bagger friends are dead wrong on this issue. He really is uneducated as well as bold to believe workers should start paying for a luxury tax that is not scheduled to be paid until 2018 if it all.
My belt is already so tight i cant breath! maybe he should try it on.
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