Health care coverage – doing the right thing

I was happy to be in City Council chambers yesterday morning, despite the Council rejecting my request to hold the Special Election in September for the seat being vacated by Erik Sten. Doing so would have allowed for a “robust debate” as Dan Saltzman noted, and also for establishing a process for Public Campaign Financing of candidates seeking it. Commissioner Saltzman could have realized his goal by voting against the motion, since four votes are required to pass an emergency ordinance or resolution. Erik Sten chose to leave before the public testimony and vote. Oh well.

Back to the good stuff. Earlier, the Council voted unanimously to provide health insurance to seasonal workers, in months when they work more than 80 hours. This is a nation-leading step, recognizing that millions of our nation’s people without access to health care are employed. The Oregonian covers the agreement yesterday well, in today’s article by Andy Dworkin.

It should be noted that the union, Laborers Local 483, bargained for health care benefits for these workers, accepting the coverage in lieu of pay raises. Most seasonal workers make less than $11 per hour, with no benefits. The new contract calls only for cost-of-living adjustments.

A footnote to Charter reform discussions: the ordinance passed yesterday also set 1200 hours as the new limit for how much time seasonal workers may work in a year, before they must be either fired or hired to permanent positions.