It’s no secret that working families across the country are feeling the impact of tighter budgets and rising costs of living. Rising food prices, higher rents and healthcare bills are causing more of our staff to worry about their future.
Here in Michigan, we need to see bold change. Policies that would provide financial relief to hundreds of thousands of Michiganders could become law in the remaining days of the lame duck session. As president of SEIU 517M, one of many unions representing public sector workers, we know exactly what’s at stake.
In January, Michigan public employees are poised to face one of the largest health care cost increases in recent memory. Due to laws enacted during the Snyder Administration, the state has a hard ceiling on its financial contributions to public health care work plans. This means that any rising costs are passed on to the employees. To add insult to injury, the law limits collective bargaining over health care costs, leaving workers without a voice to advocate for them.
To understand the effect, I will share the costs of my own care. As a proud single mother of a daughter, I paid $140.66 every two weeks for a health care plan that covered us both in December 2023. In January, I will pay $247 every two weeks to continue that coverage. In just 13 short months, the cost of our care increased by more than $2,500 per year.
No matter how you slice it, that equates to a pay cut — and it puts families in a tough spot. No hard-working public employee should have to ask: Should I pay rent on time, or my heating bill? Or what can I take away from my already shrinking budget to keep care for my family going?
Lawmakers know this is an unfair burden placed on public employees. Before the session ends, legislative leaders are working to reduce the cost of health care before the rate hikes take effect. House Bill 6058, sponsored by Rep. Mai Xiong, D-and Senate Bills 1129 and 1130, sponsored by Senator Kevin Hertel, D-would reform the law to allow public employers to contribute more to public health care. These bills would restore the ability of public sector unions to negotiate the cost of health care for their members. It just makes sense.
Our public workforce and Michigan taxpayers deserve better. During COVID-19, we were told time and time again that our work was important. From educating our children, to providing quality healthcare, to making sure government services run smoothly, public workers are truly what keep Michigan running. Yet our rising health care costs and lack of competitive wages mean we are losing key workers to private sector jobs that offer all the benefits that public employers cannot.
For decades, corporations and the richest billionaires fought to pass budgets that took power away from Michigan families and their unions. In recent years, we have made significant progress in correcting that injustice, but there is more work to be done.
We must deliver economic policies that turn the tide for Michigan. We want to create a future where our work is valued and our salary can comfortably support our loved ones.
Lawmakers must pass HB 6058 and SB 1129-1130 and deliver the best gift of all this holiday season: peace of mind.
Joey Combs is president of SEIU 517M and a public sector employee.
