Dear Editor:
The Pacific Blue Cross dispute has to end. I place the blame entirely on “management” in this issue, aided and abetted by the union members serving as directors on the PBC board of directors.
We need to put a stop to corporations attempting to reduce salaries and benefits to the lowest common denominator.
As a benefits service provider, Pacific Blue Cross should be leading the way and demonstrate to its customers the beneficial effects on employees and corporate bottom lines of a full and extensive benefit plan. Unfortunately the user of those benefit plans – you and I – have no say in this dispute whatsoever. Obviously, the management of Pacific Blue Cross could care less about those dependent on their service.
It is also important to remember that we are merely captive users and not the real customers of this service. The Pacific Blue Cross customer is really the corporations who aggregate their workers on behalf of PBC. The employer specifies the level of benefit coverage. For many years, the trend among government agencies and companies big and small has seen a steady reduction in coverage at an ever-increasing price to us – the real dependent for these services.
The time has come to cut entities like PBC and other private health benefit providers out of the picture. Our provincial and federal governments must step up to the plate and rationalize our health-care benefit system to include everything and more that is currently covered by extended health benefits. If that means higher overall income taxes, I for one will gladly pay the cost. It will save me money in the long run.
Carl Dillon, by email
