Los Angeles County MTA Votes To Approve Increased Contribution for Employee Health Insurance Costs

In a closed session Monday, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority board approved a proposal to contribute an additional $4 million toward health insurance costs for members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1277, which represents mechanics employed by MTA, the Los Angeles Times reports (Chong, Los Angeles Times, 6/8). A three-member arbitration panel presented the nonbinding recommendation last week. Union members in November 2003 voted to approve a negotiated contract and return to work as the panel settled the health care issues that resulted in a 35-day strike. MTA members represented by ATU pay no premiums for health insurance for themselves and pay $6 per month for family health coverage. Retirees ages 65 and older pay $21 per month for health coverage. ATU President Neil Silver said that MTA member contributions likely would increase under the recommendation of the panel (California Healthline, 6/4). ATU members on Monday night voted "overwhelmingly" to support the plan, the Times reports (Los Angeles Times, 6/8).