Bill Ford: Health care plan part of UAW talks - Detroit Free Press
An expanded health care co-operative representing workers at all three Detroit automakers is among the topics on the table in contract talks between Ford and the UAW, Chairman Bill Ford confirmed today. But again, it’s way too early," said the Ford chairman after an event at Starfish Family Services in Inkster, to mark the 10th anniversary of the company's Ford Volunteer Corps. “It’s very early, but I feel very good about it. I always do," Ford said when asked about the progress of talks. There are always issues, but it’s early days, but I feel great,” Ford said. UAW President Dennis Williams has floated the idea of an independent health care benefits co-op that would include hourly and salaried workers at General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in a big pool. The idea is the co-op would combine forces with the health care trust that already exists to manage the health care of retirees and drive down costs. Their combined numbers -- they could represent as many as 900,000 people -- should provide leverage in dealing with insurance companies, hospitals, clinics and health care providers. As it stands now, each of the Detroit Three runs health care benefits programs for salaried employees and for workers based on. Source: www.freep.com
