Michigan

UAW ratifies 3.5-year contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Published

5 months ago

December 7, 2023

UAW ratifies 3.5-year contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Detroit — The United Auto Workers union ratified a 3.5-year labor agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan on Wednesday, ending an 88-day strike by 1,360 workers.

The agreement was “overwhelming in favor of ratification” by UAW-represented employees in voting on Dec. 5-6, covering 1,360 BCBSM and Blue Care Network workers. The deal is retroactive to Sept. 1 and runs to May 1, 2027, Blue Cross officials said in a statement late Wednesday.

The announcement of the ratification comes after the UAW on Nov. 28 announced that a “verbal agreement” between UAW President Shawn Fain and BCBSM CEO Daniel Loepp produced “significant general wage increases,” a $6,500 ratification bonus for Blue Cross Blue Shield employees and a $5,000 ratification bonus for employees of Blue Care Network HMO.

Reached late Wednesday, a UAW representative referred to comments on social media, where the union congratulated BCBSM workers on ratifying the agreement.

“Congratulations to Blue Cross Blue Shield workers who have voted by 89% to ratify their new contract!” the UAW said on the platform X.

Workers likely will return to their jobs as early as Thursday “unless otherwise instructed by their leader,” Blue Cross officials said in a news release late Wednesday.

“We have an agreement that provides competitive wages and benefits, while ensuring the company maintains reasonable administrative costs into the future,” they said. “UAW bargaining unit employees will return to work as soon as Dec. 7 unless otherwise instructed by their leader.”

BCBSM employees who work in call centers and in claims processing walked off the job Sept. 13. Striking workers said they wanted to halt a steady stream outsourcing of their jobs, unfair labor practices and wage disparity between veteran employees and younger workers.

It was unclear if those goals were met in the new contract. Details were not released Wednesday.

The strike centered on a wage-scale system that required employees to work for 22 years before earning the top-level wages. The tentative agreement would shorten that period to five years, according to the UAW.

Earlier this month, the union’s autoworker members ratified contracts with the Detroit Three, ending nearly 10 weeks of work stoppages at select plants.

jaimery@detroitnews.com

X: @wordsbyjakkar

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Michigan

Michigan man pleads no contest to sending threatening emails to Gov. Whitmer

Published

4 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Press Room

Michigan man pleads no contest to sending threatening emails to Gov. Whitmer

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – A Michigan man pleaded no contest to sending threatening emails to Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Jason Tolonen, a 51-year-old from Westland, pleaded no contest to one count of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime and one count of Malicious Use of a Telecommunications Services.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said Tolonen repeatedly sent “nonsensical, harassing, racist, and threatening” emails to Whitmer’s constituent portal for years.

In November 2023, Michigan State Police searched Tolonen’s home after a threat to “assassinate the president or your governor.” Tolonen admitted to sending the messages. Nessel said he resumed sending similar emails in February 2024.

“Elected officials deserve to serve Michiganders free of fear, and violent threats directed at public servants cannot be normalized,” said Nessel. “I commend Michigan State Police for taking these threats seriously, and my department remains committed to prosecuting these disturbing offenses.”

Tolonen will be required to attend Alcoholics Anonymous and refrain from repeated, unwanted contact with any individual, business or governmental entity. Nessel said he would also submit to mental health and substance abuse evaluations, and any recommendation would be incorporated into his sentence.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 12 at 9 a.m.

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Michigan

Ohio State AD thinks Michigan’s wins should have asterisk amid sign-stealing scandal

Published

11 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Press Room

Ohio State AD thinks Michigan’s wins should have asterisk amid sign-stealing scandal

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith didn’t leave any doubt what he thought of Michigan’s recent three-game winning streak against the Buckeyes on the football field. They shouldn’t count at all, given the Wolverines’ recent sign-stealing allegations.

When asked by Ohio State’s NPR affiliate if Michigan’s wins should come with an asterisk, he joked: “Of course I do.”

“The rules are in place to protect the integrity of the game and try our best to create a level playing field,” Smith said on All Sides with Anna Staver. “When those rules are violated, then it affects those principles. We have to keep that in perspective.”

Ohio State won 17 of the 24 editions of The Game in the 21st century, including an eight-game win streak culminating in a 59-27 rout in 2019, but Jim Harbaugh led Michigan to three straight decisive victories over the Buckeyes, winning the national championship last season.

But the Wolverines were also the subject of NCAA investigations, most notably the sign-stealing scheme alleged to have been perpetrated by former UM staffer Connor Stalions that resulted in a three-game suspension for Harbaugh to finish the regular season last year.

The NCAA’s investigation into those claims remains open.

Smith will retire from Ohio State in July after leading its athletic department since 2005, and his final season at the school will find the Buckeyes hosting the Wolverines in Columbus, with the very early consensus being that OSU will be favored in the game.

“We host that team up north this fall, and I’m assuming it’ll be what it’s always been,” Smith said.

“The last time that we had the level of interest in that game was 2006 with No. 1 vs. No. 2. This year, it probably won’t be No. 1 vs. No. 2, but it’ll be No. 1 vs. Somebody, and we need to pack that place. Be in your seat early. Don’t wait until the kickoff. Be in your seat early.”

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