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GHI-HIP conversion to for-profit status raises concerns

Apr 24, 2008 3:17 PM

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During the question period, Liz Perez, the chapter leader from PS 160, Brooklyn, asked about the GHI-HIP merger into Emblem Health and its effect on health benefits. Weingarten said that she has expressed serious concern about the affiliated organizations converting to “for-profit” status, citing letters she had written both as UFT president and as head of the Municipal Labor Committee to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and State Superintendent of Insurance Eric R. Dinallo

“The MLC is very concerned about this issue as are our members,” she said. “Where are the assurances that if these two carriers get taken over that they will stick to what they said they will do?”

Another delegate asked the union to cut down on the blizzard of paper given out at DAs by making recycling receptacles available at UFT headquarters. Weingarten agreed that “it’s a really good idea.”

Delegates also viewed a video by urban folk singer Tom Chapin singing his satirical “Not on the Test.” The video can be viewed at www.notonthetest.com.

Weingarten announced that while she has decided to run for AFT president, she would not take both salaries if she were to win. “That’s just not me,” she said.