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May 15, 2008 9:37 pm US/Eastern
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Port Authority Drivers Upset Over Health Care
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
The union representing Port Authority drivers is threatening to go on strike this summer over health benefits.
Management told the union during contract negotiations that members who retire before their current contract expires on July 1 will get health benefits for life.
Those drivers who do not retire at that time will not get those benefits when they do retire.
Last year, management accepted a similar deal - no health insurance upon retirement. In fact, more than 5,000 county employees have no health insurance after they retire.
Union President Pat McMahon says the drivers have always had lifetime health insurance benefits. He says if the 450 employees talking about retiring before July 1 do so, there will be problems.
"If that happens, they're going to be out of service on July 1 because they don't have enough drivers to fill the work, it's simple," McMahon said.
Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato says the health insurance issue is part of the discussion but did not wish to discuss details of the contract.
He says both sides need to work it out and costs need to be brought under control by the Port Authority.
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