October 31, 2006

HEALTH SURVEY

Many members have asked about the health survey, specifically if health information provided by employees will truly be confidential and not shared with Scholastic management. The Guild has pursued this question with its health plan specialist and has been assured that a federal law, HIPPA, prohibits the communication of such information to one’s employer or to anyone else without the written permission of the insured. 

However, in the age of Enron and other corporate improprieties, it is reasonable to ask if simply having a law on the books means that it will not be broken. It is also reasonable to ask whether or not one wants sensitive personal information placed in yet another data base.

The Guild cannot guide employees in either direction on this matter. But we do think you should be made aware of the questions that are being raised.

GUILD SEEKS INFORMATION ABOUT HEALTH PLAN CHANGES

Members should know that the Guild is presently assembling an inquiry to Scholastic asking for financial and other information that caused the company to make financial and other changes to the various health plans offered to employees. We will keep members in the loop on this one.

MEMBER RECEIVES HIGHER CLASSIFICATION PAY

On October 30, management replied to a Guild inquiry about an employee who has been doing much of the work of a supervisor who is working part time out of the building. After investigating the Guild’s claim, management agreed to increase the member’s salary immediately, in recognition of the extra work performed during the supervisor’s absence.

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10/31/06