WHHS Labor Facts

Updates on Labor Negotiations from Washington Hospital Healthcare System

Local 20 Bargaining Update – February 14, 2024

Washington Hospital Healthcare System (“WHHS”) is pleased to provide an update on the progress of our labor negotiations with ESC/IFPTE Local 20 (“Local 20”).

On February 14, 2024, negotiations continued between WHHS and Local 20 for a new Memorandum of Understanding.  During this bargaining session, WHHS made a detailed presentation on the new proposed health plan that WHHS plans to implement in 2024 across its entire organization. 

Since 2015, health coverage premium (benefit) rates have:

  • Remained unchanged at WHHS
  • Increased between 3 and 4 percent annually across the United States
  • Increased by more than 8 percent annually on average across California

WHHS has worked diligently over the last approximately two years to design modernized employee health plans that will allow employees to choose options that best meet their unique, individual and/or family health care needs. The proposed health plan has a core plan that is no cost to the employee and offers reduced contributions at all other levels. Employees will also have optional “buy up” opportunities for medical, dental, and vision benefit plans, depending on employee and family needs.

Medical/Rx Program Enhancements

Some key features of the proposed core health plan are as follows:

  • No changes in the Blue Shield provider network.
  • Additional WTMF providers (105 providers vs. 39 today) are added to  Tier 1 (Washington Hospital Healthcare System Tier)
  • Each employee can receive no-cost specialty footwear at Haller’s Pharmacy (1 pair per year)
  • Addition of hearing aid coverage
  • Addition of Telehealth through Teladoc
  • Addition of Tier 1 pharmacy – Haller’s Pharmacy
    • Lower out-of-pocket copayments
    • Mail order available
  • Addition of wellness programs that provide proactive benefits
    • Wellness programs include tobacco cessation; diabetes management; musculoskeletal; weight loss plan; mental/behavioral health – custom for each member! 
  • Addition of employee discount program – discounts on electronics, exercise equipment, amusement park tickets, gym memberships, and more.

Additionally, the portable employer paid life insurance for employees will increase from $10,000 to $50,000.

WHHS emphasized the importance for the organization of implementing the new health plan and how competitive it is in the market. WHHS staff can view the proposed 2024 Healthcare Benefit Plans, December 20, 2023 Forum recording presentation, and download the following information by clicking this link: 

WHHS looks forward to continuing to work towards a new MOU when negotiations reconvene at the parties’ next scheduled bargaining session on February 28, 2024.

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