Coke Cancels Health Care For Employees Who Have Paid Their Premiums

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.teamster.org/content/coke-cancels-health-care-employees-who-have-paid-their-premiums

August 26, 2010
Hospitalized Family Members And Employees Can’t Fill Critical Prescriptions

(Seattle, WA) – Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) has taken action to punish 500 striking workers in Western Washington by cancelling their health care benefits, even though the employees have already paid their share of their premiums through the end of August.

Coke employees, who went on strike on Monday over the Company’s refusal to bargain in good faith, reported the loss of their benefits after they had tried to fill prescriptions at local pharmacies and hospitals. One employee, who said he preferred not to be identified for fear of retaliation from the Company, said he faced an $8,000 medical bill for a prescription to treat a chronic, life-threatening illness.

“This further demonstrates Coke’s ruthless business model that puts corporate profits over the health and well-being of its own hardworking employees,” said Tracey A. Thompson, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 117 and the lead negotiator for Washington Teamsters United.

Striking Coke employees said they expected to have health care coverage at least through the end of August since the Company had already deducted the employees’ share of the premium for their medical plan.

FULL story at link.

[WVRICK13]

1. Hello Lawyers

This should be a costly error on the part of Coke.

[Lost4words]

2. I am so sick of corporations I could scream!

[WillParkinson]

3. You shouldn't be...according to the Supreme Court...

Corporations are people, too.

[Scuba]

4. Disgusting, illegal, immoral behavior. n/t