Continuing the summer-long campaign against healthcare cost increases, CWA members from across the state packed the rooms for two State Health Benefits hearings held this week. Tuesday’s State Health Benefit Plan Design Committee, and Thursday’s State Health Benefit Committee rate meetings were packed with CWA members, filling hallways to send a loud message. And that solidarity played a major role in the agreement reached between the Governor’s office and a coalition of 16 public sector Unions, shielding state workers from rising healthcare costs.

Although healthcare premiums are increasing in 2027—due to structural, systematic issues the Union has long rallied to fix—workers will see zero increase in our premium contributions, co-pays, co-insurances, or any other out-of-pocket costs.

But our work is not done. Together, we will continue to advocate and mobilize for a health benefits system which prioritizes people, not the profits of hospitals and insurance companies.

This victory was only possible through the activism of Local 1037 members like you. If you made phone calls, sent emails, came to a lobby day, or attended a rally, thank you!