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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 17, 2006)
Union stops plan to send worker to India for low-cost surgery The United Steelworkers Union de- nounced a shocking new approach that employers are considering to limit health care expenses — sending em- ployees to low-cost countries overseas for expensive medical procedures. Dubbed “medical tourism” by the media, the idea of outsourcing medical care to low-cost countries is finding its way into corporate agendas as a way to cut health care costs. Blue Ridge Paper Products Inc. of Canton, N.C., proposed sending one of its employees, a member of the Steel- workers Union, to India for surgery — a move that would have saved the self- insured company tens of thousands of dollars. The union, however, intervened and the company withdrew the proposal. Both sides agreed to work together to find an alternative within the United States for the employee, who had vol- unteered to undergo surgery in India in return for a share of the savings. “With companies now proposing to send their own American employees abroad for less expensive health care services, there can be no doubt that the U.S. health care system is in immedi- ate need of massive reform,” said Steelworkers General President Leo Gerard in a letter to Senate and House committees with jurisdiction over health care issues. No U.S. citizen should be exposed to the risks involved in traveling inter- nationally for health care services, said Gerard, who described the willingness of employers to offer incentives for employees to assume those risks as “frightening.” “The right to safe, secure and de- pendable health care in one’s own country should not be surrendered for any reason — certainly not to fatten the profit margins of corporate in- vestors,” he added. “The off-shoring of family and community-supportive jobs is bad enough,” Gerard continued. “Exacer- bating this crisis by attempting to out- source health care is not only shame- less; it does nothing to solve the nation’s skyrocketing health care costs.” PROTECTING UNION MEMBERS’ SMILES AND WALLETS. 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India’s software companies are shut down in 12-hour strike India’s IT hub Bangalore came to a grinding halt Oct. 3 as hundreds of tech and software firms logged out during a day-long shutdown across Kamata. Emergency services for hospitals, ambulances, fire brigades, medical stores and the movement of perishable fruits and vegetables were exempt from the strike. The usually teeming Bangalore city, home to over 1,500 Indian and global tech firms, like Microsoft, Intel Corp. and IBM, wore a deserted look as compa- nies, educational institutions and shops shut down. Though several tech firms and their code writers declined to admit support for the strike, they decided to shut down to avoid confrontation with the protesters and prevent damage to their property. To make up for the day’s loss of work, several firms like Infosys and Wpro directed their employees to report for duty on Saturday. 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Stirewalt, P.C. 1-888-BRIGHT NOW www.brightnow.com Serving unions for over 25 years THE UNION PLUS ® MORTGAGE PROGRAM Provided Exclusively by Chase Home Finance When it comes to mortgages, we’re taking a stand for Union members. Chase is backing union members with the Union Plus® Mortgage Program — a home purchase and refinancing program exclusively for union members, their parents and children. • FREE Mortgage Assistance Benefit If you are unemployed or disabled. • A wide variety of mortgages Choose from fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, and low- or no-closing costs options. • Special Lending First-time homebuyer and less-than-perfect credit programs. • Savings on closing costs Member-only savings on new purchases and refinance. It all adds up to more home-buying power. Contact your local Union Plus® Mortgage Specialist 866-729-6016 866-729-6016 Ext. 3016 Union Plus is a registered trademark of Union Privilege. Eligibility for mortgage assistance begins one year after closing on a Union Plus Mortgage through Chase Home Finance. This offer may not be combined with any other promotional offer or rebate, is not transferable, and is available to bona fide members of participating unions. For down payments of less than 20%, mortgage insurance (MI) is required and MI charges apply. All loans are subject to credit and property approval. Program terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Not all products are available in all states or for all loan amounts. Other restrictions and limitations apply. ©2005 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All Rights Reserved. P-UP 104 2A-7604 10/05 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 9
