For Immediate Release
Friday, August 20, 2004
One Woman and her Union Win Major Victory for Working Families in Westchester County
Fairness Restored in Municipal Health Plans
Cordtlandt, NY —
Working with New York Attorney General Elliot Spitzer, Local 2343 of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, won contraceptive equity for women in 17 municipalities in Westchester County.
New York State law requires prescription drug insurance plans to include coverage of contraceptives, but municipalities found a loophole to deny workers coverage to which they were legally entitled.
Spurred by a complaint from Arlene Curinga, an AFSCME member working in the Town of Cortlandt, the Attorney General's office launched an investigation that uncovered the widespread inequity.
Over the past several months, AFSCME worked with the Attorney General's office on the investigation that resulted in an agreement with 17 municipalities in Westchester County to restore fairness and add contraceptive coverage to their health plans.
"It is a matter of fairness and fundamental civil rights that we get this basic coverage. Now municipal workers will be treated with the same respect as other workers throughout the state," said Arlene Curinga
"This victory shows the strength of AFSCME and our members. Local 2343 stood up for our rights and we won an important victory for working families throughout the county," said Eugene Capicotto, President of AFSCME Local 2343.
"We are proud to have Attorney General Elliot Spitzer as our ally in the fight to bring contraceptive equity to the working families of Westchester County," said AFSCME Council 66 President Anthony Gingello.
"The victory also benefits CSEA/AFSCME members working in several of the municipalities. We are proud to stand with our AFSCME brothers and sisters and Attorney General Spitzer in insuring that our members' rights are protected," said CSEA President Danny Donohue.
The following municipalities are covered by the agreement: Town of Cortlandt, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Belford Hills, Somers, South Salem, Yorktown Heights, City of Rye, Rye Town, Rye Brook, Mt. Kisco, Bronxville, Dobbs Ferry, Chappaqua, Village of Pelham Manor, Eastchester, and Port Chester.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, is the nation's fastest growing public service employees union with 1.4 million members. AFSCME organizes for social and economic justice in the workplace and through political action and legislative advocacy. AFSCME represents a diverse group of service and health care workers in the public and private sectors including nurses, EMTs, bus drivers, child care workers, custodians and librarians.
