IN THIS EPISODE
This Labor Day Code WACK! is taking a fresh look at the different perspectives held by organized labor in the fight for Medicare for All. Host Brenda Gazzar and Cindy Young, labor advocate and expert in health benefits negotiations, discuss how union members are harmed by America’s fragmented healthcare system.
Why are unions split on this issue? What happens when rank and file members disagree with union leadership on policy? Is the fight to end healthcare inequity dividing organized labor or pushing it towards social justice? Could the tide be turning?
SHOW NOTES
WE DISCUSS
Why do some labor unions oppose Medicare for All?
“…amongst almost every coalition, there are people with different viewpoints and perspectives and inside the House of Labor, you have what I would characterize as more conservative unions who use health care as a bargaining chip, as an organizing tool…right…to get people to join their union…
And their concern is that if they don’t have that bargaining tool to help them organize, that they are not going to be able to recruit members into their union.” – Cindy Young
What’s another way to think about this?
“…workers are getting harmed by our healthcare system. So I think why not just take this off the bargaining table and go for other things. There are so many other things that we could bargain for that families need.
So that’s my perspective and many other unions feel the same perspective.” – Cindy Young
What can be done when leadership and members disagree?
“…those workers have to…go out and organize like-minded people and when it gets time for the union leadership to run for office, they find someone to run against them.
And that’s, you know, unfortunately … speaking the truth … that’s how we change people’s minds…” – Cindy Young
Helpful Links
NUHW’s helping drive California toward Medicare for All, National Union of Healthcare Workers
Not all unions are against Medicare for All. Here’s why ours thinks it’s a good idea, USA Today
Resolution 10: Winning Guaranteed Health Care for All, AFL-CIO
Medicare for All, United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America
Resolution 25: Continuing the Fight for Universal Health Care, AFSCME
It’s time for Medicare for All, American Postal Workers Union
How Medicare for All Would Affect Union Health Plans, People’s Policy Project
Labor’s civil war over ‘Medicare for All’ threatens its 2020 clout, Politico
Episode Transcript
Read the full episode transcript!
Biography: Cindy Young
Ms. Young started her career at H.E.R.E., Local 2 in San Francisco as the Director of Research in 1985. She negotiated pension and healthcare benefits for 25,000 hotel and restaurant workers in San Francisco. She served as the key trustee for the H.E.R.E, Local 2, Pension, Education and Health and Welfare Trust Funds. She provided advice and counsel to Senior Union Staff on legislation impacting healthcare and pension benefits. She developed health reform education programs for H.E.R.E. International Union and its affiliates. She developed and organized the California Northern California Labor Health Coalition, which successfully improved Kaiser’s Chiropractic and Drug and Alcohol Benefits.
From 1988 – 2010, Ms. Young served as the Senior Health Policy Advisor to California School Employees Association (CSEA). She negotiated healthcare benefits for 220,000 classified school employees and analyzed insurance renewals. She provided leadership and counsel to the CSEA management and staff on healthcare related strategies, legislation and in the delivery of healthcare training programs. She served as Labor Chair of the California Healthcare Coalition, as well as the California Education Coalition for Healthcare Reform.
From 2010 – 2014, Ms. Young served as Regulatory /Policy Specialist for California Nurses Association, and Special Projects Coordinator, leading the nurses single payer campaign.
Ms. Young currently has a small consulting firm and assists Minnesota Nurses Association and California’s with bargaining health and welfare benefits. She serves on the Board of Directors for the California Alliance for Retired Americans. Representing CARA, she serves as Vice Chair of the Healthy California Now. Ms. Young has worked as a labor advocate and been committed to Medicare for All for 45 years.
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