Dear COBA Members; (Especially those hired after June 2014)

On Dec.16th Nassau County HR issued a notice to all County Employees notifying them of the Annual Open Enrollment Period where changes can be made to your Health and Dental Insurance Plan Coverage for 2021. In that notification the County stated that there is a 9.95% increase in the rates for the Aetna OAMC plan, and that beginning January 1st, 2021, those with an Individual Plan will now contribute $50.70 per month and those with a Family Plan will now contribute $146.97 per month. This contribution is because the Aetna OAMC plan premium now costs more than 85% of the Empire Plan Premium, making the employee responsible for this difference as is outlined in the 2014 NIFA Contract Extension.

Please be advised that COBA has taken the following legal action against Nassau County:

First, we have filed a Class Action Grievance stating that the County violated our contract by failing to offer our Members a health insurance plan option that requires no premium contributions, AND; for failing to endeavor to identify and make available for those Members an alternative plan(s) whose premium cost is equal to or less than 85% of the cost of the Empire Plan.

Second, COBA has also filed an "Order to Show Cause" in State Supreme Court, seeking and injunction against the County, stopping them from implementing a monthly premium for COBA Members (hired after 2014) who participate in the Aetna OAMC plan, while the Arbitration in this Class Action Grievance is pending. We seek all relief the Court deems proper including all court costs.

As of the writing of this email, we have received the Court's Index number for the Injunction Request and are awaiting the assignment of a Judge.

Due to COVID restrictions and Court Hearings only being done virtually, we do not anticipate this case being put in front of a Judge until sometime next week prior to the County's implementation of plan premium deductions.

We will keep you informed as to when we secure a court date for our Injunction request as we continue to fight for the rights and protections of our Members.

Always in Unity;

Brian Sullivan, COBA President