TEA Union, Herbst Argue Over 'Good Faith' Negotiations

TRUMBULL, CT- With a budget vote looming, the Trumbull Educators Association and First Selectman Tim Herbst argued via editorials about a possible change to health care.

Herbst said that arbitration on the issue to join the state health care plan wouldn't be in the best interests of TEA and that members under the new plan would realize savings on co-pays with a medical provider match of 97 percent, according to the Trumbull Times.

A current family plan costs $29,025 while under the State Partnership Plan the rate would be $24,898. The move would save the town $3 million Herbst said.

TEA executives board members wrote an editorial about the Herbst's comments and said that the medical match rate is 86.5 percent and that there would be major changes including a new wellness plan, prior authorization requirements, and limited coverage for mental health and addiction services.

TEA executives said the changes are not equivalent to the plan that is in the contract.

Read Herbst's statement here.

Read the TEA letter here.

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