While House Speaker Andy Dillon has asked unions for input on a governance structure that would preserve collective bargaining under pooled public employee health care, officials from a variety of labor groups said Tuesday the proposal would wipe out the thousands of people who negotiate benefits at the local level and who have proven to come up with savings.

 Speaking at a press conference on the steps of the Capitol, AFL-CIO President Mark Gaffney said there are thousands of local “incubators of savings” – people who understand the needs of members and the fiscal restraints of local governments.
 He said that is a better system than what the Office of State Employer can offer.
 Mr. Dillon has said nearly $900 million in savings can be found if all public employees are under one insurance plan, although he is open to what that plan looks like.

 Don Wotruba, director of legislative affairs for the Michigan Association of School Boards, which supports the Dillon proposal, said the unions are using “scare tactics” by saying the plan will limit health care benefits when what the benefits will actually be hasn’t yet been determined.

 Gongwer Michigan Report 8.11.09