Paul,

An employer paying for health insurance is no different than an employer paying that amount in wages (except that the employer and employee both get a tax benefit from health insurance).

So if the employer has been paying the insurance and now decides to stop, it is no different than if they just reduced the workers pay by the cost of the insurance (not factoring in the tax issue). Most people would probably object to their wages being cut.

On the other hand, when the cost of the insurance goes up, it affects the employer just as if it gave across the board raises, only the employer has no real choice in the issue if he is obligated to provide the insurance.

I would note that in Jim P's post he says that management wants to stop paying for health insurance, but from what I had read it sounded like the Union was seeking in increase in the employers payment to the insurance fund. There is a world of difference between we won't pay your insurance and we won't pay more for your insurance.

I don't know which version is correct here.