Both reforms needed to correct basic unfairness

I interviewed Teddy McNeal during our 52nd annual convention on labor’s big legislative priorities, the Employee Free Choice Act and health care reform. “I support the Employee Free Choice Act because workers need a way of being able to say ‘Yes, I want a union,’ without fear of intimidation,” said Teddy. “As a local lodge president I have tried to organize new groups of workers and am very familiar to the pressure that has been applied to individuals who are trying to start that process. If we could eliminate some of that intimidation so people would have the freedom to speak on the job, I think it would be a great start in improving productivity and other aspects on the job.”

Teddy also talked about his own government employee insurance plan and its unique benefits. “I’m subjected to the federal employee benefits plan…so I have the choice to compare what they offer and select the plan that best fits my needs…if my health care choices were available to others, I think the country would be better off.”

Teddy also had a personal health care story to tell. “My mother tried to get medical benefits. She was working part time at a grocery store and had to pay $300-$400 a month to get medical benefits. She wasn’t even making that much and most of her paycheck went to health benefits because she was older and knew she would need health care. Until she was 65 and qualified for Medicare, it was difficult.”

“Some people have to pay lots of money for health care and the insurance doesn’t cover all the needed expenses. Something needs to be done to make it fair…We need to have the same access when it comes to health care.”