The saga continues...

Councilman David Cohen reconvened the Law & Government Committee today to accept documents from the City that have been requested for more than a year now. Linda Berkowitz from the Finance Committee represented the City. She came with a letter signed by Chief of Staff Joyce Wilkerson, indicating that a few of the requested items were enclosed and that others would be provided within a day or so, once they were copied. Other requested items were not referred to at all, or were covered by a broad statement repeating that the City intended to undergo a comprehensive review of their health benefit plans.

Ms. Berkowitz admitted on the stand that the Plan we were pushed to join during last year's negotations, the one which the City claimed would save them millions and millions of dollars, never existed as far as she knows. She said she's never seen one and does not know of one. She also claimed she was "new to this," despite the fact that she sat on the bargaining team and listened to the lead lawyers repeat at every session that they had a plan we should join to save taxpayer dollars.

One interesting item came to light today regarding a Mr. Stamatakis (spelling?) of Capitol Management, who had previously been named in testimony as the City's consultant to bargain health benefit rates with providers. Today it came out that he is not actually paid by the City but by the providers of benefits on a percentage basis. Frank Rizzo Jr., Angel Ortiz and David Cohen were flabbergasted at this information, as this seems to present a clear conflict of interest. They wanted to know why no one in City government ever questioned this and did something about it. How could we be getting a good deal from these providers if our bargaining agent was working for them?!

Councilman Rizzo was especially astounded by this, and by Ms. Berkowitz's lack of knowledge about the City's plans. He summed up the City's position as "lame." He told Ms. Berkowitz she sould be embarassed. She was.

Tom Lamb of the FOP also raised concerns about employees injured on duty having their treatment costs charged to their health and welfare plans. The FOP has actually sued the City to get accurate records they can trace to see how much their plan has been overcharged.

This Thursday is City Council's last session before the summer recess. Therefore, Councilman Cohen has called for one more meeting of this hearing, to be convened at the end of the City Council session, at approximately 12 noon Thursday, June 14.

Thanks to those of you who have shown up for these hearings. It is good to have even a few dozen members in the audience. I know you all have found it entertaining - there have been frequent outbursts of applause and much laughter. There's one more chance to get in on the fun before the summer break. Hope to see you Thursday!