WGA Strikers To Lose Health Benefits

Variety:

Before the WGA went on strike, its leaders repeatedly assured members they would retain eligibility within the guild-industry health plan for the duration of the work stoppage.

But the assertion that "the clock will stop" -- made on numerous occasions to members by WGA West president Patric Verrone and exec director David Young -- turned out to be wrong.

About 250 WGA members will lose their eligibility April 1 because they did not meet the plan's 12-month earnings threshold of $30,823 as of Dec. 31. That's about 40% higher than the usual number who lose eligibility, and that figure will probably jump significantly in July -- because of the loss of earnings during the strike.

Read the whole story: Variety

Comments

[groucho]

10:57 PM on 01/31/2008

Kill the fucking CEO's before they kill us.

[realitytrumpsbull]

10:39 PM on 01/31/2008

followup: The writers should buy a first aid book, and go to webMD. If it's not a dire critical emergency, handle it yourself.

[realitytrumpsbull]

10:38 PM on 01/31/2008

The more I read about this healthcare crap, the more convinced I am it's a form of political blackmail. 'health benefits'. How in the HELL did people EVER settle this country to begin with? There wasn't a first-aid station every 20 miles, a hospital every 50 miles, there was no emergency phone number, there was you, your wits, and the terrain. How far we've fallen, how far...complacency and ignorance are the enemy...

[ReelBusy]

09:03 PM on 01/31/2008

250 writers! I've been the biggest supporter of the strike on thie site and this isn't right. The WGA said "the clock would stop" and it helped get you the strike vote. the COBRA thing is a bait and switch. Patric and David, you have to make this right for these 250 members or you're acting like AMPTP members. Suck it up boys, call the insurers and get it done.

[VivaZapata]

03:31 PM on 01/31/2008

they've stuck it out this long; it would be nuts to capitulate now.

[PaulMaibaum]

10:44 AM on 01/31/2008

Don't forget about all the IATSE crew people who are also in jeopardy of losing their health benefits as well due to the industry-wide work stoppage. IATSE members must work a minimum of 300 hours within a 6 month period to qualify for health insurance. Each individual's qualifying period is different, but many members are on the verge of not qualifying.