Union sues state over insurance requirement

Thursday, May 16, 2002 | 10:07 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A union of Nevada Highway Patrol troopers and transportation workers has filed a lawsuit seeking to force the state to allow them to leave the insurance program so they can sign up with the cheaper Teamsters Union policy.

The Nevada Highway Patrol Association, in the district court suit filed in Carson City, said the state's Public Employees Benefit Program has stalled for three years and then proposed regulations to block any group from opting out of the state health care plan.

Gary Mauger, secretary treasurer of Teamsters Local 14, said Wednesday that troopers could save $200 a month if they and their families were allowed to be covered by the policy of the Teamsters Union.

Forrest "Woody" Thorne, director of the state's insurance program, said negotiations were held last summer. He said he has asked for a legal opinion from the state Attorney General's Office to clarify if the state can make changes in its regulations or if it has to go back to the 2003 Legislature to get a clarification in the law.

"I guess they couldn't wait," Thorne said, referring to the suit.

But the suit said the questions to the attorney general's office weren't submitted until December.

More than 300 members of the highway patrol and the state Transportation Department are represented by the patrol association, which is a member of Teamsters Local 14.

A law was enacted by the 1999 Legislature permitting groups of more than 300 workers to exit the system. The patrol association has tried to get regulations enacted permitting it to leave the state system, which is facing financial problems.

One of the sticking points, Thorne said, is the question of retirees. Those who want to depart the state system don't want to take their retired members with them. Retirees use more benefits and cost more than active workers.