Despite baseless objections from city Comptroller Brad Lander, City Hall has successfully registered the contract with Aetna to administer a Medicare Advantage plan that will result in annual savings of $600 million for the city. However, City Councilman Charles Barron (D-B’klyn) is now attempting to disrupt this progress.
Starting in September, the plan will cover 250,000 retired city workers and their dependents. These projected savings will help fund the latest round of municipal labor contracts, which include salary increases for various city employees such as police officers, teachers, firefighters, sanitation workers, and clerical staff.
The Municipal Labor Committee, representing most city-worker unions, initially agreed to this plan during Mayor de Blasio’s tenure. Unfortunately, legal battles and political resistance have caused significant delays.
Interestingly, a small group of retirees, many of whom no longer reside in the city, and union leaders who endorsed the plan are responsible for the delay, despite City Comptroller Brad Lander’s refusal to register the contract. This refusal served as a mere political gesture, as City Hall was able to easily overrule him.
Now, Councilman Charles Barron has introduced a bill to amend the city’s administrative code, allowing individuals to opt out of the new plan. Rumors suggest that Council members with minimal re-election challenges may support this bill, out of fear of upsetting out-of-town union retirees.
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