A recent article in the Sun-Gazette revealed that health care costs for city employees are increasing by 11 percent. Councilman Williamson's response was that the taxpayers will need to share in the pain. Councilman Hall's response was that he has seen worse.
Once again, the taxpayer gets slammed. ! When will council actually get a spine and do something for the taxpayers. Somehow I thought the police, firemen, teachers, and other public employees worked for the taxpayers. Take a bold direction by doing the following:
1 - Completely eliminate Healthcare Insurance for the unions.
2 - Instead replace it with a fixed amount, for example $5,000 per year. The employee then, like those in the private sector, does the homework and works to get the best bang for his/her buck.
3 - Do not allow the union employees to accumulate overtime in the last couple of years of their careers (which typically end when they are about 50 years young). This will eliminate padding for their pensions
4 - No benefits for spouses or children of employees. Ninety-nine percent of private companies don't do this. It is time for council to act like they are running a business.
I see a lot of letters to the editor with similar thoughts. I don't see any from policemen, firemen, or teachers defending their outrageous benefits. That should tell you something!
Dottie Jackson
Williamsport
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom
