Philadelphia newspaper employees planning to strike

What percentage of the healthcare costs do the $4,000 and $8,500 represent?

 

Isn't the new trend to stick it to newspaper employees via the insurance plans? That's the cost cutting measure that seems to have taken hold of late. Best wishes to Philly employees. Worst wishes to management who came up with this great plan.

 

The second link doesn't have the percentages of the costs, but it says individuals pay $20 a week and families pay $50 a week.

 

Perhaps this is exactly what they wanted. Crush the union, sweep out all old hands. Start new, young and cheap.

Smart business if you ask me.

 

Yes that's what I was thinking Doc. But I refuse to call it smart business, just cut-throat stuff we are so used to in the newspaper industry.

 

Isn't the real problem here the rapidly rising cost of health insurance?

It's not like the paper has been paying this much per individual/family previously. The cost is going up, and neither the company -- especially in this industry -- nor the employee can afford it.

 

Did it have amphibious pitchers?

 

No. The real problem is management wanting to break the union. The scare tactics have everyone fighting against each other in a free for all. Young vs. Old. Union vs. non-Union. The bottom line is a strike will kill the Daily News. The Inky, while it can absorb a strike, isn't exactly journalistic power it once was. It's no longer the go-to source for information. Philly.Com loves young cheap labor and it shows in the product. Buckle up and hold on tight, this could get really ugly.

 

How is a company, in an industry with declining revenues, supposed to deal with rising health care costs?

Companies that are making money are struggling with this, and with the uncertainty of where the costs may go.

 

Knock a million dollars off the CEO's compensation. That's a good start. Rein in other top-level packages.

 

Do you think that would cover it?

I'm guessing it wouldn't.

 

From the Washington Post on the new owner:

"Lenfest says, “I agonized for a while because, you know, it’s not a situation you’re in to make money."

Says Rendell: “Gerry needs his $10 million back about the way you and me need $500.”

Gerry Lenfest and the fight for the Philadelphia Inquirer - The Washington Post


There are roughly 400 newsroom employees. Say the insurance costs $1,500 a month. That's $600K a month, or $7.2 million a year, even before employees paying their contributions.

The guy can afford it.