Recent Press
- The PEIA Cost Shifting Bill (aka SB 268)
- Public Employee Representatives to Discuss Sweeping PEIA Legislation
- Union leaders’ statement on Senate PEIA bill
- Workers Will Rally for Fair Treatment at Italian Opera-Themed Tecnocap Celebration
- A celebration of former WV AFL-CIO President Jim Bowen's life Sunday
- A statement from Mike Caputo regarding the passing of Jim Bowen
- Former WV AFL-CIO President Jim Bowen Passes Away
- This Labor Day weekend, celebrate the momentum of working people
- A statement from West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword regarding the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
- Ceremony Thursday to honor WV workers who died on the job
- 2022 AFL-CIO Convention - In Memoriam
- IUPAT DC 53 HOLDING PROTEST MONDAY
- WV AFL-CIO Holds 30th Constitutional Convention
- United Food Operation Food Drive Kickoff Friday
- A statement from West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword on Senator Joe Manchin’s position on the Build Back Better Act
- IUPAT DC 53 Hosting Open House for National Apprenticeship Week
- Honor and Celebrate the Labor Movement this Weekend
- Teamsters at Bluefield WV Coca Cola Distribution Center Reach Agreement for a New Contract Avoiding a Strike
- A statement regarding the passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka
- Union members will rally Thursday to urge Sen. Capito to support PRO Act
- Teamsters at Bluefield WV Coca Cola Distribution Center Reject Contract
- Rally for Viatris/Mylan jobs Tuesday
- Public Employees Launch Legal Challenge of Paycheck Bill
- Josh Sword: West Virginia workers need PRO Act (Opinion)
- Workers Memorial Event | Wednesday, April 28th
- Details
SB 268 is a comprehensive bill that affects 230,000 plan participants of PEIA in many different ways.
- SB 268 will result in a 26% premium increase for all active PEIA participants beginning July 1, 2023.
- Short-term and long-term effects to retiree and non-state coverage is unknown.
- SB 268 places a "marriage penalty" on active participants whose spouse has access to health insurance through an employer, regardless of the level or cost of that option. PEIA has reported the penalty will be $147 per month. SB268 will result in over $500 million in "savings" to the state by 2027. "Savings to the state" actually means that over $500 million in additional premiums and other out-of-pocket costs will now fall on the backs of plan participants annually.
- Legislative leaders are trying to make PEIA solvent by reducing benefits and kicking participants off the plan instead of creating a dedicated revenue stream for long-term stability.
- Under SB 268, according to PEIA officials, an employee making $45,000 with family coverage who also has to pay the "marriage penalty" will have to pay an additional $2,672 next year for PEIA coverage. An employee making $30,000 in the same situation would pay an additional $2,494 next year.
- Since 2017, premiums have remained roughly the same. However, both deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums have increased exponentially over the same period. For families, the deductible has increased $450 annually and the out-of-pocket maximum has increased at least $2,400, and in some cases over $3,000, annually. It's disingenuous to focus only on premiums when talking about participant costs associated with PEIA.
- SB 268 mandates plan participants that utilize out-of-state providers will pay at least 30% of the costs. This will result in a 10% out-of-pocket increase or more for their care. Printed in house for educational purposes only.
- Details
CHARLESTON – Unions representing public employees will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. Friday, March 3, in front of the House of Delegates chamber entrance to discuss legislation that would make sweeping changes to insurance coverage for 230,000 PEIA plan participants.
Senate Bill 268 will trigger a 26 percent increase in employee premiums for state participants; penalize public employees that are married; potentially lead to the exclusion of local police, firefighters and emergency services employees from PEIA; and create even more uncertainty regarding the status of retirees participating in PEIA. The legislation passed the Senate and is currently being considered by the House of Delegates with a little more than a week left in the regular 2023 legislative session.
WHAT: Press conference discussing impact of PEIA legislation
WHEN: 10 a.m., Friday, March 2, 2023
WHERE: Front of House of Delegates chamber entrance, East side of the Capitol
- Details
CHARLESTON – With minimal discussion, the Senate today has adopted legislation making sweeping changes to insurance coverage for 230,000 PEIA plan participants. Senate Bill 268 will trigger a 26 percent increase in employee premiums for state participants; penalize public employees that are married; potentially lead to the exclusion of local police, firefighters and emergency services employees from PEIA; and create even more uncertainty regarding the status of retirees participating in PEIA.
The bill was passed in conjunction with a $2,300 across-the-board pay raise for some public employees that in all likelihood will be consumed by the increased new insurance costs.
- Details
WHEELING, W. Va. — The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that union-represented employees of Tecnocap will rally for fair treatment on Saturday, February 11, while the company celebrates 15 years of doing business in the U.S. with a lavish, Italian opera-themed party.
Many Tecnocap employees recently have been laid off, and the union has been forced to file unfair labor practice complaints due to the company’s refusal to engage in good faith contract negotiations with the union that represents its workers.
- Details
Members of the media are invited to attend the Celebration of Life ceremony for former West Virginia AFL-CIO President Jim Bowen, who dedicated his life and career to the betterment of working men and women across the state of West Virginia.
Jim served as president of the WV AFL-CIO from 1997 to 2004.
The celebration, which will include tributes from a host of labor leaders from throughout the state, will takeplace from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, at Four Points Sheraton, 600 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston.