How to Negotiate Healthcare in a Union Contract
One of the advantages of having a labor union is that employees have a better chance of bargaining for better benefits as opposed to individually approaching management to request for certain stipulations in their job contract. The benefits covered by a union contract include improved pay, fair time off and health care coverage. It's important for employees to stay healthy if they are to contribute to the success of business operations, so unions have to be very particular with healthcare benefits when they are negotiating
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Instructions
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Meet with the members of the union to gather input from them. It's important to listen to what the members have to say before you approach management to negotiate healthcare. You need to create an organized process where employee members can impart their opinions. Understand what their needs are with regard to health coverage so you can sufficiently represent them later on.
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List all opinions and identify the needs of the union members. After meeting the union, study their input and identify the aspects of healthcare that are highly prioritized. Concerns can range from job safety and proper health practices in the workplace to coverage for family members and the extent of medical treatment coverage.
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Study techniques for effective negotiations. As a representative for the union, you need to develop the right skills that will allow you to present healthcare coverage requests and opinions to management in a way that will yield a result that will favor both parties. You can read up on related literature about labor negotiations. The link under the Resources area below will give you a head start.
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Address the issue of patient care. Many employees today are concerned with their ability to implement personal decisions when it comes to health care. They want more freedom to follow their own doctors' advice and recommendations. Make sure to include this ability in lieu of the company's mandating patient care policies when you negotiate with management.
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Don't forget to cover all other aspects of healthcare. The most important areas that you have to tackle when negotiating the union contract are primary healthcare benefits. But make sure to attend to other aspects such as maternity benefits, dental care, psychiatric care and vision.
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Negotiate for time off and emergency leave to attend to sickness in the family. Employees will appreciate it if the company allows for time off so they can take care of their families in case a member of their household falls ill. It's also important to negotiate for healthcare coverage for dependents.
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Look at what other labor unions are negotiating for in terms of healthcare. Research further on what other companies are conceding to when it comes to health coverage. Read up on other labor union negotiations so you have an idea on what else to cover.
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Tips & Warnings
When negotiating health coverage, be reasonable and listen to the management's side. It's important to maintain an open mind during negotiations. You have to factor in the economic challenges that may hinder the company's ability to concede to all requests.
