http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/rally-park-central-sqare-stop-cuts_42111.mp3
The local union of the Communications Workers of America, also known as CWA, and other state employees rallied at Park Central square this afternoon in hopes of stopping potential cuts to their health insurance benefits. KSMU’s Shannon Bowers has more.
To stop these potential cuts, state employees showed their support with chants, posters and speeches in hopes that the Board of Trustees of the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan, known as the MCHCP, would listen before their meeting tomorrow.
Richard Von Glahn, the Organizing Director with local workers union says that Missouri ranks last in pay for comparable jobs in the United States. Even with health care and pension benefits, state workers currently make 24.3% less than those working for a private employer.
“We just think it’s wrong that the people who are working hard to serve the public interest, already last in the nations in pay, already have a pretty meager benefit package to pass these cutes onto us is just wrong, and we don’t want them to do that,” says Von Glahn.
The MCHCP Board of Trustees meets tomorrow at 1 pm in Jefferson City where the Benefits and Wellness Committee will present its plans for the upcoming year.
For KSMU News I’m Shannon Bowers.