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Illinois Republican Envies IBEW
Health Insurance Benefits

July 24, 2009

Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Ill.) is complaining about his government-sponsored health care plan.  Manzullo, who opposes a “public option” in health care insurance, told the Rock River Times, “I would not wish the government health plan on anybody.  The government health care plan is less than what the IBEW guys get, and it’s less than what most private insurance plans are.”

Darrin Golden, business manager of Rockford, Ill., Local 364 sees a rich irony in his Congressman’s envy of his local’s health care plan.  “This is the same politician who opposes the Employee Free Choice Act,” says Golden.  “If he would support collective bargaining, more working people would have the tools to negotiate better pay and benefits,” he adds.

“We’re flattered that Rep. Manzullo respects our negotiated health benefits,” says International President Edwin D. Hill.  “Perhaps he should have made a career choice way back to become a union craftsman instead of a politician who opposes workers’ rights and a public health insurance option for millions of Americans who lack decent health care.