As both Harvard residents and town employees, we write to urge our fellow Harvard residents to vote NO on Article 5 at the Special Town Meeting. As residents, we know how important it is for the town to find ways to save money, especially in these difficult economic times. However, Article 5 would not provide significant economic savings to the town, and would send an unfortunate message to town employees.
If passed at the town and state level, the legislation would allow Harvard to join the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) without bargaining. This seems a moot point; previous town subcommittees have already determined that Harvard is not interested in joining the GIC.
If passed at both levels, the article would allow Harvard to unilaterally make changes on health plan design and help save the town money. Both of these things have already been accomplished, without the need for the proposed article. A major change was negotiated with the unions just last spring. The town now has all of its employees in health plans with new, lower, competitive rates, which are comparable to those of the GIC.
Some people mistakenly believe that if passed, the article would allow the town to unilaterally determine the percentages paid for health insurance by both town and employee, but that is not the case. Even if this article passes, those percentages would still be subject to collective bargaining.
Many people believe that this legislation, even if passed in Harvard, will not be passed at the state level. Why then, vote yes on this article? Its supporters may say that passing it at the town level “sends a message” to the state.
We agree that passage would “send a message”—a very different and damaging one. It would send a negative message to town employees, that the town bargained in bad faith last year, and would rather work around us than with us.
Don’t send that negative message, especially for a proposal whose main goals have already been achieved in cooperation with the unions. Vote No on Article 5.
Jeff Greco, Harvard DPW, Elm Road
Greg Newman, Harvard Police Officer, Still River Road
Trish Rouvel, Harvard Dispatcher, Mettacomett Path
Arlene Sullivan, HES teacher, Candleberry Lane
