MARQUETTE -- Northern Michigan University employees with the United Auto Workers Union walked the picket line on Tuesday. They joined together outside the University Center to display how they feel about a proposed change in their contract. They're upset about an increase in the cost of health insurance.
The proposed contract would have employees pay $2,400 a year to be covered under Blue Cross. They say that's a significant difference from paying almost $700 in previous years.
UAW president Michelle Kimball says their wages will not be able to compensate for the health care increase.
"Members simply can't afford that; that puts them down so close to minimum wage that a number of us are going to have to turn down the health care option all together. We're not working full-time at a place of higher education to not have health care," said Kimball.
We spoke with Gavin Leach, Vice President of Finance and Administration at NMU. He says they're continuing to work with employees on a new agreement.
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