Shaw's to cut heath care coverage of striking workers

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2010/03/shaws_to_cut_he.html

March 31, 2010 06:57 PM

By Jenn Abelson, Globe Staff

Shaw’s Supermarkets Inc. is cutting off health care coverage Thursday for about 300 striking workers from the company’s Methuen distribution plant, according to union officials.

‘‘We’re extremely disappointed that the company has decided to cut the health insurance of these workers instead of sitting down and working out an agreement,’’ said Peter Derouen, a spokesman for the employees, who are members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 791.

‘‘Now these workers and their families and children are without health care. This will not deter the workers. They will continue to strike until the company wants to come back to the table and bargain.’’

In a statement last night, Shaw’s said: ‘‘Though it is difficult to take this step now, we need to act with the long-term best interests of our business and 25,000 other associates in mind.’’

FULL story at link.

[iamtechus]

1. Employers should have nothing to do with healthcare. n/t

[SocialistLez]

2. True BUT in the mean time

we need to have more employers offering health insurance.

At the same time, it sucks in terms of revenue for the federal gov and state govs. because they get to write off at the end of the year.