Lee, guild retiree insurance fight continues

In December 2008, St. Louis Post-Dispatch retirees were taken off a low-deductible insurance plan and added to Lee's mid-deductible plan, forcing the retirees to pay more for insurance. The St. Louis Newspaper Guild filed a grievance, and in February 2010 an arbitrator ruled Lee must refund the difference in coverage to retirees and reinstate the low-deductible plan.

Lee has mailed those checks, but says the arbitrator "ordered the P-D to restore the low deductible option for the affected retirees under the 2004-2009 contract ... he did not order the P-D to reinstate the low deductible plan beyond the term of the 2004-2009 agreement."

Guild members approved a new contract on March 28. The guild has filed another grievance and asked the arbitrator to weigh in again.

Lee reinstates life insurance for P-D retirees

Lee has reinstated life insurance for St. Louis Post-Dispatch employees who previously accepted a buyout. The letter signed human resources director Jennifer Kivlin says, in part:

"Upon further review of your Voluntary Retirement Offcer from St. Louis Post-Dispatch LLC, the decision has been made to reinstate your retiree life insurance benefit. ... This decision is based on your Voluntary Retirement Offer and does not affect most retirees of Lee Enterprises. In addition, the changes to retiree health care that you were previously advised of will be implemented."

(Via e-mail. Send tips, memos and comments to lee.ent.watch@gmail.com.)

Post-Dispatch protest video

The St. Louis Newspaper Guild posted a video of Tuesday's protest outside the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Post-Dispatch retirees protest Lee's insurance decision

About 75 St. Louis Post-Dispatch retirees and union reps picketed this morning in front of the newspaper's office. Last week, Lee told many Post-Dispatch retirees that their health insurance would be eliminated. One of the retirees at the protest sent in these great photos:







KMOX also has several photos.

Protest planned at Post-Dispatch

St. Louis Post-Dispatch union retirees who recently received notice that their health insurance would be eliminated plan to protest outside the newspaper's offices Tuesday morning. About 100 union members who retired from 1994 to 2004 are affected by the insurance announcement.

(If you're there, send updates and/or photos to lee.ent.watch@gmail.com)

Insurance canceled for some Post-Dispatch retirees

Many St. Louis Post-Dispatch retirees were notified Monday that, starting Jan. 1, health insurance will be eliminated. Those younger than 65 would have to pay 100 percent of their premiums. Retirees 65 and older -- those with Medicare-- will be dropped from Lee plans. This comes a few weeks after a notice that premiums would be slightly higher in the new year.

St. Louis Newspaper Guild president Jeff Gordon says the union will fight the decision. "These people were assured when they retired that they would get the insurance for life," Gordon told KMOX in St. Louis. "For many, that was an inducement to take an early buyout or retire ahead of time."

I admit, I don't know much about health insurance for retirees at Lee papers. Retirement is far away; it's a case of young and clueless. A reader has asked about insurance for retirees at other papers -- anyone have an answer?