HAP Workers Vote for UAW

DETROIT, April 14, 2003; The UAW and Health Alliance Plan (HAP) announced today that a majority of 285 clerical, support and maintenance workers at HAP worksites in Detroit and Southfield have voted in favor of UAW representation. The workers process bills, handle telephone inquiries and provide other support services at HAP, one of Michigan's largest managed care organizations.

"I'm excited," said Karen Gamble, a HAP claims processor in Southfield. "I believe in my heart this will benefit HAP. With a voice on the job, we can be productive and benefit workers and the company."

More than 75 percent of eligible workers voted in favor of UAW representation by signing UAW authorization cards. The vote count was certified on April 10 by the U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, which was asked by the UAW and HAP to serve as a neutral third party.

"We're delighted to welcome these HAP workers into our union," said UAW Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Bunn, who directs the union's 100,000-member Technical, Office and Professional Department. HAP marketing and labor liaison staff, she noted, are currently represented by the UAW.

"HAP management has set an excellent example," said Bunn, "by establishing a formal agreement with the UAW, assuring neutrality and agreeing to a card- check election, which is a fair and efficient way to find out whether workers want union representation."

"HAP has a longstanding history with the UAW," said Cleve Killingsworth, president and CEO of HAP. "The late UAW President Walter Reuther was one of the founders of our organization. His vision fulfilled the union's commitment to providing a wide range of options for quality, affordable health care services for workers and families. Today UAW members represent a significant, valued segment of our customer base."

"We respect our employees' decision to join the UAW. And we're committed to working with the UAW to continue the tradition of excellence in our products and services," said Killingsworth.

In addition to new and existing bargaining units at HAP, the UAW also represents workers at a number of other insurance companies, including Atlanta Life Insurance, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Delta Dental, Safeguard Health Plan and the Sterling Insurance Agency.