DETROIT – A small, but determined group of UAW were picketing Friday, Sept. 22, outside the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, across from the Renaissance Center.
They’re customer service workers and claims specialists for the insurance provider, not the striking autoworkers who have been making the national headlines.
Related: UAW expands strike to 38 US facilities as tense Big Three talks continue
“I mean, they’re the Big Three, so they’re going to have that attention,” said Maurice Starr. “So as much as we see it, we’re focused on what we’re fighting for.”
After entering negotiations over the summer, more than a thousand Blue Cross Blue Shield workers walked off the job in September. They want to abolish the multi-tiered pay structure, stop the outsourcing of jobs, increase pay and enhance retiree benefits.
“We’re feeling it, we felt it before the strike though, so that’s the key thing,” Starr said. “It’s not that we weren’t in the same state before, but if we don’t fight now there won’t be anything to fight for in the future.”
Belinda Clad has been with Blue Cross Blue Shield for 26 years. She’s a tier-one worker.
“I could be in their shoes. It could be I’m the second tier and I would want someone to fight for what I’m out here fighting for,” Clad said.
“We just need everyone’s support,” Starr said. “The honks, the chants, we appreciate that.”
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan released the following statement:
“On September 12, after weeks of continuous negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement, the United Auto Workers union walked away from the bargaining table and went on strike at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Blue Care Network is not included in this action by the union. Blue Cross has put contingencies in place to enable our company to continue to provide services to providers, group customers and our millions of members around the nation. Some of those services – particularly those provided over the phone – will require longer wait times. We encourage our members and customers to use our online and app-based services during this period, and we regret the inconvenience caused by this situation – which we desire to resolve quickly, consistent with the spirit of collective bargaining, with our partners at the UAW.”
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan