We fought to expand Healthcare to LAUSD Units F and G

Beginning in 2014…

• We spoke out at LAUSD School Board meetings to make sure the District understood the human price of denying basic health coverage to all of its employees
• We signed thousands of petitions
• We held vigils and rallies at LAUSD Headquarters
• We spent months at the bargaining table

…and as a result of the hard work of SEIU Local 99 members (who would not give up!), our bargaining team reached an agreement with LAUSD on June 16, 2016, that ensures thousands of SEIU 99 members in Units F & G can finally access District healthcare benefits. The School Board voted to approve this agreement on August 23, 2016.

The agreement breaks down barriers that have been holding workers back. Just like we lifted the minimum wage to $15/hour starting on July 1, 2016, this healthcare agreement tears down the wall that divided employees and ensures that we’re on a path to continue to expand and improve wages and benefits for all. This agreement does not impact the wage and benefits gains we’ve already made. Members in Units B & C will continue to receive their same health benefits.

Here’s a summary of the our healthcare agreement for Units F and G:

• SEIU 99 Members in Unit F (Teacher Assistants) who work 800 hours or more in a year in any one assignment in the previous school year, will receive individual healthcare benefits fully paid by the District, including vision and dental benefits. This is a significant victory because the cost of healthcare for Teacher Assistants was so outrageously high that most were locked-out of coverage.
• SEIU 99 Members in Unit G (After School Program Workers, Community Representatives, School Supervision Aides) will finally be included in the District’s healthcare plan. Previously, they were completely denied District health coverage. Under our new agreement, LAUSD will pay half of the cost of benefits for workers in this unit who work 1,000 hours or more in a year in any one assignment in the previous school year. It’s a big step forward that sets us on a path to continue to make gains for a group of dedicated school workers who have been unfairly excluded from benefits.

Benefits will go into effect in the 2017-18 school year. Read the LA Times Story.

The agreement not only marked a win for members who will finally have access to benefits, it also signaled to LAUSD that we’re standing strong and ready for our full contract negotiations (read more here). Together, we can win.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

1. How will an employee become eligible for benefits?
   Qualification is based on hours worked during the 2016?2017 school year (July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017). Employees will be eligible for benefits effective September 1, 2017. Eligible employees will be notified by the Benefits Administration Branch. If you are a Unit F employee and work 800 hours or more in one assignment during the 2016?2017 school year, you will qualify. If you are a Unit G employee and work 1000 hours or more in one assignment during the 2016?2017 school year, you will qualify.
2. When will I be notified if I am eligible for benefits for the 2017?2018 school year?
   You will be notified by the end of July 2017. Please ensure your contact information with the District (mailing address and phone number) is accurate so that you can receive all communication that will be mailed to your home address.
3. Which employees are covered under these new benefits?
   These benefits impact Unit F and Unit G employees. Unit F employees are Teacher Assistants. Unit G employees are School Supervision Aides, Out of School Program Supervisors, Out of School Program Workers, Out of School Program Helpers and Community Representatives.
4. Why were benefits offered to Unit F and G employees?
   After years of SEIU Local 99 members fighting for healthcare benefits—with vigils, rallies, petitions, Board meetings, and negotiations—the District finally agreed with us that  that a healthy employee is a better employee. And in August 2016, the School Board unanimously adopted this agreement that we negotiated.
5. How much do the benefits cost?
   Unit F employees do not pay for their own benefits. If you wish to have a dependent covered, you will have to pay out of pocket for the cost of your dependents. Unit G employees pay 50% of the cost of benefits. Exact costs will be determined upon receipt of final notice of health benefit costs from the health insurance vendors.
6. What type of benefits are being offered to Unit F and G employees?
   The Unit F benefits plan will include 100% Medical, Dental and Vision coverage for the employee only. Employees will be responsible to pay 100% of any dependent coverage. This plan does not come with retiree lifetime health benefits. The Unit G benefits plan will include 50% Medical, Dental and Vision coverage for the employee only. Unit F and G employees will be responsible to pay 100% of any dependent coverage. This plan does not come with retiree lifetime health benefits. The District is still determining the exact benefit plans and will share with its employees once finalized.
7. I already have health insurance coverage under my parents or spouse/domestic partner and don’t need additional coverage.
   Unit F employees will have an opt?out option if you choose to waive coverage. Employees that choose to opt out will receive $1,000/year from the District.
8. If I worked the requisite number of hours for benefits in the previous year at another school and then go to work at a different school in the new year as a 3 hour employee, will my new school be responsible for the cost of the benefits?
   Yes. However, if you have been told that your hours were cut or position eliminated because of the cost of healthcare benefits, notify SEIU Local 99 immediately. This is inaccurate information. Submit an inquiry form with more details by clicking here.
9. I work as a Teacher Assistant (Unit F) at one school and as a School Supervision Aide (Unit G) at another school. Will all of the hours in both assignments count towards one benefits plan?
   No. The hours in each unique assignment and bargaining unit will be looked at separately and independently. You must work 800 hours or more in one assignment to qualify for Unit F (Teacher Assistant benefits) and you must work 1,000 hours or more in one Unit G assignment to qualify for benefits.
10. Is the benefit eligibility ongoing or is it re?evaluated annually based on prior year’s hours worked?
    Each school year determines eligibility for the following year. You will be notified on an annual basis by the Benefits Administration Branch if you have attained eligibility for benefits for the year.