Workers and their spouses from FreightCar America discussed Tuesday what options they have left after their appeal for an extension was denied by a judge Monday. They say this new plan is too expensive and all they want to do right now is sit down with the union to talk about alternatives.
It was standing room only inside Ace’s in Cambria City for the earlier meeting Tuesday. When the workers were asked if they want to move forward and pursue alternative options to what the union presented almost everyone raised their hand in favor of this idea.
“I would like to see it settled. This has been a pain since I got out of the mill,” said Jim Goughnour. Goughnour said he thought he retired 18-years-ago, but now fighting for his health care that he was once guaranteed has become his new job, “What they offered is like five times what we’re paying now.”
The retired workers gathered to offer up new solutions at the meeting.
“If it could be set up individually, we all had our own $48,000 through this VEBA account that would be great,” said the spokesperson for the workers, Thomas Brawley.
One way the retired workers would like to do this is through AmeriServ. The bank already manages the worker’s pension. Officials do not know if they can manage the health care fund, but they were on hand to answer any questions the workers or their spouses had.
Only four men said they want to accept the insurance plan the union put together. Hundreds of others signed a petition that will be sent to the United Steelworkers office.
“We have to look out for ourselves, the union is not helping us,” said one man in the audience.
“We have a good plan on things we want to do as the majority without hurting anybody. Our drawback is they won’t sit down with us and have a say in how to do this,” Brawley added.
Some workers, like Gary Ernest, said there are still too many unanswered questions, “They didn’t tell us what kind of health care, so I need to compare it to what I’m paying now. Am I going to pay more for less?”
The union said the enrollment packets were mailed out Monday. They insist this is a fair deal. When we asked them if they would reconsider their stance and meet with these workers they offered no comment.
