LOCAL NEWS
SB COPS BEAT CITY IN INS DISPUTE
By John Axtell
Sep 2, 2010 - 9:14:17 AM

     The Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations says the city of Scottsbluff can not unilaterally implement changes in the insurance plan for city police officers.

     The ruling by the state board was in response to a petition filed by the Police Officers Association, who claimed that the city added exclusions to coverage without negotiating them with the officers.

      The city had added snowmobiling, riding all-terrain vehicles, motorcross racing and other activities to the "hazardous hobbies" exclusion of the insurance plan, but the Scottsbluff officers said the only exclusion they agreed to was for ultimate fighting.

      The C.I.R. ruling orders the city reimburse officers for any health insurance benefits improperly withheld, and requires good faith bargaining with the union in the next 30 days on any exclusions or other changes in the health insurance insurance plan.

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