Mayor, Unions Strike 'Historic' Health Care Deal

Medford's Mayor and municipal unions signed off on a new health care agreement where union workers will leave the city's health plan for the state's Group Insurance Commission health coverage.

The 6 1/2 year agreement projects to save the city over $25 million and save union employees about $9.7 million, Mayor Michael McGlynn said in a press conference Tuesday morning.

The agreement, if approved by the city council, would be the biggest impact on the municipal budget in Medford's history, McGlynn said.

"That impact is going to lessen the burden in the future and also allow a lot of the other projects we want to do in terms of capital improvements," McGlynn said.

Unions offered a six-year deal to the city about two weeks ago, leading to a negotation process that concluded Tuesday morning, when McGlynn and union leaders signed off on the agreement.

McGlynn said the agreement was arrived at "the old fashioned way, through collective bargaining."

Under the new deal, the city projects to spend $16 million on health insurance, down from a $22 million projection under the current city plan, McGlynn said.

About 15 union leaders signed off on the deal Tuesday morning, including representatives from the police and firefighters unions, among others. McGlynn said it was an "historic day."

Donna DeSimone Buckley, a consultant for the Massachusetts Teachers Association, praised the city and unions for their collective efforts.

“The city could have chosen to go another route to make changes in health insurance," Buckley said Tuesday. "It’s been inspiring to work with this group of people and the mayor to reach an agreement that works for everyone.”

The City Council must sign off on the deal. It will be brought before them in their meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. in City Hall.