Common use of Scope of benefits Clause in Contracts

Scope of benefits. A change to the scope of the Health and Welfare Benefits is subject to negotiations for the subsequent years of this Agreement. Definitions: Benefits Cap – the average FTE allocation required for Benefits Package coverage paid July through September at prior year Composite Rate for all coverages and costs October through June at current fiscal year composite rate. Benefits Package – medical, dental, vision, life, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and administrative costs for coverage provided to employees and retirees as recommended by the Joint Benefits Team (JBT) and adopted by CSEA. For each subsequent year, unless otherwise mutually agreed, if the then existing funded Health and Welfare Benefit Unit Cap is insufficient to cover the full cost of the benefits program as calculated by the District in a manner consistent with past practice and approved by this Agreement then plan modifications to reduce the coverage profile cost to an amount within the funded cap may be made by the JBT and adopted by CSEA, or effective for the first premium payment for the respective fiscal year covered by this Agreement the residual dollar amount required beyond the funded cap shall be made by employee contribution paid through employee payroll deduction on a tenthly basis. The JBT shall be responsible for making recommendations to the administration and constituent groups regarding: health insurance carriers, levels of coverage, plan design and changes to the coverage, premium schedules for full-time bargaining unit members, and pro-rated deduction schedules for less than full-time members, Section 125 Plan design, and other health insurance-related issues. The JBT shall make a recommendation to the negotiating teams each year. This recommendation follows receipt of information from health benefit consultant which is anticipated to occur in April.

Scope of benefits. A change to the scope of the Health and Welfare Benefits is subject to negotiations for the subsequent years of this Agreement. Definitions: Benefits Cap – the average FTE allocation required for Benefits Package coverage paid July through September at prior year Composite Rate for all coverages and costs October through June at current fiscal year composite rate. Benefits Package – medical, dental, vision, life, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and administrative costs for coverage provided to employees and retirees as recommended by the Joint Benefits Team (JBT) and adopted by CSEA. For each subsequent year, unless otherwise mutually agreed, if the then existing funded Health and Welfare Benefit Unit Cap is insufficient to cover the full cost of the benefits program as calculated by the District in a manner consistent with past practice and approved by this Agreement then plan modifications to reduce the coverage profile cost to an amount within the funded cap may be made by the JBT and adopted by CSEA, or effective for the first premium payment for the respective fiscal year covered by this Agreement the residual dollar amount required beyond the funded cap shall be made by employee contribution paid through employee payroll deduction on a tenthly basis. The JBT shall be responsible for making recommendations to the administration and constituent groups regarding: health insurance carriers, levels of coverage, plan design and changes to the coverage, premium schedules for full-time bargaining unit members, and pro-rated deduction schedules for less than full-time members, Section 125 Plan design, and other health insurance-related issues. The JBT shall make a recommendation to the negotiating teams each year. This recommendation follows receipt of information from health benefit consultant which is anticipated to occur in April. Authority  The JBT’s authority is vested by the individual employee groups and is established in contract language within the agreements between the District and the bargaining units.  The JBT shall be responsible for recommending health and benefits plans and vendors, monitoring performance of the plans, and implementing periodic vendor bidding of health and welfare plans.  The JBT also recommends the amount of the District contribution and the amount of the employee contribution to fund the benefit packages.  Consultant/Broker or other support staff may be authorized by the JBT within the budget “cap”.  No expenditures involving monies within District cap will be expended without authorization of the JBT with the exception of ongoing monthly premiums as approved by the JBT to current vendors.  Procedures may be amended by consensus of the JBT. Representation  A quorum consists of one of each of the bargaining groups and two other representatives from other employee organizations.  All groups will have equal representation on the JBT (CSEA, NMFT and Management).  All groups must be represented before formal recommendations are made on areas of the benefit plan.  In order to ensure that all groups are represented at all meetings, alternates may be chosen by representing groups. Bargaining units may use the expertise of their state and national organizations, and their representatives may attend meetings.  The JBT may include other personnel to participate by invitation. Norms of the Group  The JBT will use an interest-based approach.  Clarifying questions are encouraged to help avoid misunderstanding and premature position-taking.  JBT members should respect the representative role of each member.  Except in emergencies, meetings will be called 10 days in advance of the meeting date, and an agenda will be constructed with input from each member.  Minutes will be kept of the JBT procedures. Secretarial support and minutes will be provided by the superintendent or designee. A facilitator will be available from HR on an as needed basis.