ARTICLE XVI - HOSPITALIZATION AND INSURANCE


1. The Publisher agrees to provide life insurance for each employee with ninety (90) days or

more service in the amount of $5,000 with double indemnity.

2. Health Care:

a. The Publisher agrees to make available to regular full-time employees and

eligible part-time employees two three-tier health plans, the GHI 20 and CDPHP

Avid Care 25, provided these plans continue to be offered to the Publisher in

substantially the same form and provided further that future annual rate increases

for these plans are not materially greater than increases in the industry for

comparable plans. Employees in the single and double tiers will pay 35 percent of

the total cost of the premium for the more expensive of the two plans. Employees

in the family tier will pay 33.5 percent of the total cost of the premium for the

more expensive of the two plans.

b. The Publisher and employees will share equally in the cost saving for the premium of the less-expensive plan, calculated as follows: The difference between the total cost of the premium for the higher cost plan and the less expensive plan will be calculated for each class of coverage (single, single plus one and family). The difference is the savings in the total premium for each class of coverage. The employee⤙s share of the premium for the less expensive plan will be equal to the employee share of the premium for the higher cost plan, as provided in this Agreement, reduced by 50 percent of the savings in the total premium for the class of coverage elected.

c. Employees will pay 50 percent of any annual increases in the cost of the plans, not exceed 38 percent of the total cost of the plans in 2007 and 39 percent in 2008.

d. An employee who elects supplemental dental coverage shall pay for the entire cost of such coverage.

3. A. Recognizing the fluid dynamics of health insurance coverage, the parties have formed a special Health Care Subcommittee (with equal representation of the Publisher and the Union) that, throughout the term of this Agreement, will meet and

engage in collaborative discussions and fact finding concerning alternative health care coverage. Either party may propose a replacement plan or additional plans for the current health care plans, in which event, the parties, through the Health Care Subcommittee, will engage in negotiations, on a permissive basis, concerning such proposal.

B. Upon written notice from either the Union or the Publisher, the parties will meet and begin discussions for an alternative health care coverage for the next agreement in advance of the opening of collective bargaining and no less than 120 days prior to the expiration date of this Agreement.

C. In the event the foregoing plans are no longer offered to the Publisher in substantially the same form or in the event that future rate increases for these plans are materially greater than increases in the industry for comparable plans, the Health Care Subcommittee shall meet to agree on a replacement plan which meets the following criteria: (1) the replacement plan shall not increase the cost of coverage to either the Publisher or the employees, and (2) that subject to the foregoing cost criterion, the replacement plan is, in all other important respects, the next best plan available. If the parties cannot agree on a replacement plan, the Publisher may select and implement a replacement plan that meets these criteria.

D. The Publisher, at its discretion, may offer additional lower-priced health care plans during the life of the contract with the employees⤙ contributions based on the negotiated formula referred to above.

4. Part-time employees hired after the signing of the Agreement dated December 1, 1989, but prior to the signing of the contract dated September 12, 2001, and others referenced in Article IX, Section 10, may elect to be covered by plans referenced in paragraph 2 above. If such coverage is elected, the Publisher will contribute a percentage of the contribution made on behalf of a full-time employee toward the cost of coverage. The percentage will be determined by dividing the number of hours the part-timer is scheduled to work each week by 37 ?.

5. The Publisher will offer members of the bargaining unit the opportunity to participate in a Section 125 plan as long as it is continuing to be offered to the Publisher's other employees.

6. The Publisher will pay employees who do not participate in any of the medical plans under this Agreement or any other medical plan, including an HMO, offered by the company, a monthly cash opt-out premium of $40. To be eligible for this stipend, employee must provide proof that he or she has alternative health insurance coverage not sponsored by the Publisher.