Bargaining Update: April 8, 2020

Fellow graduate assistants,

On Wednesday, April 8th, GAU's Bargaining Committee conducted an informational bargaining session on GatorGradCare with the President and Medical Director of GatorCare, Dr. Jill Sumfest. The purpose of the meeting was to receive information on GatorGradCare, so the administration and GAU can effectively negotiate health care coverage for our next collective bargaining agreement.

During the approximately two-hour virtual session, Dr. Sumfest provided detailed information on GatorGradCare's benefits, as well as the plan's medical, pharmacy, and financial performance over the past three years (the length of our contract). A video highlighting GatorGradCare and its current benefits is provided below. Dr. Sumfest also previewed possible benefit changes to GatorGradCare under a 2020-23 contract. Many of these proposed changes would make available benefits provided to other GatorCare members but not yet GatorGradCare members. Increases to premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance were also suggested.

GAU's Bargaining Chair Javier Mesa and members of the Executive Committee pressed Dr. Sumfest on the consequences of the proposed changes, as well as the availability and cost of current benefits, such as online therapy from TalkSpace.

​GAU will continue to fight for quality and affordable health care services. Please comment below or send us an email at organizing@ufgau.org if you have questions or concerns about health insurance.

With Love,
GAU Bargaining Committee