One issue that seems to cloud the pursuit of low-cost benefits for many employers is the role of labor unions. Depending on a company's industry, it may have to regularly meet and bargain with shop stewards and union organizers who will understandably make requests about benefits and health coverage. This can make it difficult to strike a balance between comprehensive care and low costs.
To stay in the good graces of a union, make sure to stay in regular contact with its leaders. An employer that continually creates strategies for driving down benefits costs will necessarily be resented by unionized workers who feel that they should have a say in the process. In fact, input from union organizers can help inform management staff about the needs and morale of a workforce.
However, it is also important to remain firm on certain issues. A great deal of the savings that an organization will realize if health coverage costs are lowered can eventually be enjoyed by personnel as well as executives. As a result, financial calculations and documentation can be shared with union leaders in order to convince them that, in some instances, lowering coverage can benefit everyone.
