W-b Finances 
Leighton Seeks $10 Million Loan 
Council Asked To Approve The Mayor's Request To Pay Down Debt Leftover From
Last Year

1 Private, 1 Sergeant, 1 Of Many Key Drills 
Two Local Men Stay Positive As They Train To Respond To Attacks Before Going
To Iraq.

By KASIA KOPEC kkopec@leader.net
 Tuesday, January 20, 2004 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





EXCLUSIVEWILKES-BARRE - A double whammy. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That's how Teamsters Local 401 President Pat Connors say union members view
a proposal that would have them - and other city employees - footing as much
as 30 percent of their health-care insurance premiums. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Connors said union members, including Department of Public Works employees,
reside primarily in the city - making them particularly vulnerable to other
revenue-generating/cost-cutting measures that Mayor Tom Leighton might
consider to haul the city out of the red. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I'm sure we're going to see the cost of some services go up, which means
our members, who live in the city, are going to be hit twice,'' said Connors. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Teamsters plan to meet this week to discuss Leighton's proposal, but
Connors said early feedback has not been positive. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Obviously, our people are very upset,'' he said. ``They're not among the
city's highest-paid employees, so for them 30 percent is a lot of money.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Premium costs vary according to the group covered and level of plan.
Employees can choose from Geisinger HMO, Blue Cross Access II (a PPO, or
preferred provider organization plan) or First Priority HMO. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Prices range from $276 to $386 per month for individuals, and from $709 to
$992 per month for families. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Employees with individual coverage could face monthly bills between $81 and
$114, and those opting for family coverage would see $210 to $297 withheld
from their paychecks each month. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Teamsters, which represents about 60 city workers, is the only union
whose contract requires some employees to contribute to their health-care
costs. Employees hired after Jan. 1, 2002, pay 20 percent of their premiums. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The collective-bargaining agreement with the Teamsters expired 13 months
ago, with no new deal reached. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Members of the International Association of Firefighters Local 104 continue
to abide by the terms of a contract that expired at the end of 2003. Union
President Tom Makar said health care is among the issues that must be resolved
before an accord is reached. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If the city and Local 104 cannot come to terms, both sides will await the
outcome of binding-arbitration hearings set for Feb. 18 and 19. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Makar said he has met with the mayor and others on numerous occasions, both
to discuss health care and the collective-bargaining agreement. At one of
those meetings, all four union representatives and Leighton sat down with
insurance providers to talk rates, said Makar, who is a captain with the
city's fire department. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In addition, Makar said insurance costs were on the agenda at a recent
union meeting, though he declined to characterize feedback from members while
negotiations are ongoing. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As for his own thoughts, Makar said it doesn't matter to him whether other
employees and even elected officials agree to help shoulder the cost of
premiums. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I really don't care,'' he said. ``I'm worried about my 83 members -
that's enough to worry about.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Tom Kupetz, president of the Police Benevolent Association, has said that
PBA members are not interested in helping foot part of the bill, even though
the mayor has indicated it might be necessary to lay off officers if
concessions aren't made. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The PBA's current contract, which expires at the end of 2007, does not
require payroll deductions for health insurance. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Neither does the agreement covering members of Public Service Employees
Local 1300, which extends through 2006, said Tony Seiwell, the union's
business manager. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``That puts us in a little bit of a different position than some of the
other unions,'' said Seiwell, who called his discussions with Leighton
``preliminary.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Still, Seiwell, who is a guard at Luzerne County Correctional Facility,
said union members are approaching the issue with open minds. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Our members are willing to look into anything that will help the city
they live and work in, so long as it does not too adversely affect them,'' he
said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kasia Kopec, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 970-7436. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

W-b City Finances 
Mayor's Plans Upset Union 
Proposal To Pay Part Of Health Care Tab, Other Measures Would Put Pinch On
Teamsters Members, Official Says

W-b City Finances Mayor's Plans Upset Union Proposal To Pay Part Of Health Care Tab, Other Measures Would Put Pinch On Teamsters Members, Official Says