Reversing course, NYC teachers union president Mike Mulgrew now opposes changes to Medicare coverage
NY Post
United Federation of Teachers president Michael Mulgrew has withdrawn support for controversial changes to health care plans for thousands of city retirees in a stunning reversal after his slate of allies got trounced in union elections last week.
The about-face Sunday comes on the heels of staunch opposition to Mulgrew — and city union leaders representing other municipal workers — agreeing to shift retirees from their traditional Medicare coverage to Aetna-run Medicare Advantage to generate cost savings for New York City.
Critics claim the shift of 250,000 city retirees to the privately-run Medicare Advantage supplemental coverage could leave them with higher costs and fewer benefits.
The backlash to the changes shined through last week’s union elections when a dissident faction, Retiree Advocate, defeated the Mulgrew-aligned Unity Caucus to represent retirees in a blowout — 63% to 37%. The renegade retiree chapter now controls 300 seats representing retirees.
Unlike other large unions in the city, retirees are permitted to vote in UFT elections.
Mulgrew — who is up for re-election next year — sent a letter to Municipal Labor Council Committee chairman Harry Nespoli about the reversal in the union’s position.
