Bargaining Update: Health Care Details

IAPE presented a limited issues proposal to Dow Jones today, with a union offer to permit POS II deductibles to increase by $100 for individuals and $200 for families in return for preserving 20% coinsurance for the same plan. Dow Jones had previously proposed having the flexibility to increase the employee share of coinsurance to 25%.

Reaching agreement on these final two points would mean IAPE and Dow Jones have completed negotiations over the ability to make U.S. healthcare plan design changes in 2025 and 2026. The union and the company had previously reached tentative agreements on CDHP and Basic plan designs.

However, the parties are still far apart on potential health insurance premium increases. Now that Dow Jones has agreed to remove the “confidential” stamp from its health care proposals, IAPE can finally share premiums proposals the company delivered in September.

While management has pledged to keep premiums flat for employee-only POS II, CDHP, and Basic coverage through the life of the next contract, employees with dependents could see premium increases of almost 30% under the company’s plan. Members in California who purchase Kaiser coverage could see premium rates increase whether they have dependents or not.

IAPE has countered with a proposal to permit premium rates to increase by 0.25% of salary in 2024, with strict caps on premium increases of no more than the rate of inflation for 2025 and 2026.

IAPE and Dow Jones will return to the contract table on Thursday to discuss department structures and job security. To join open bargaining as an observer, please register through the link provided in your email.