AUFA Health Benefit Premiums
Health care benefits are a critical component of AUFA members’ compensation package.
Both members and their families depend on affordable access to medications and health services.
Typically, both employer and employee contribute to health care premiums.
However, over the past 10 years, the balance at AU has shifted dramatically: in 2015, AU paid 70% of health care premiums; in 2025, AUFA members pay more than 50% of health care premiums, in part resulting from a sixfold increase in Blue Cross premiums.
The total amount paid for health care premiums has increased over time due to inflation.
But the overall percentage paid by the employer has decreased, demonstrating AU’s lack of commitment to employee health benefits (see chart attached for details).
This is a substantial loss in members’ benefits, particularly given that current salaries lag far behind the increasing cost of living.
AUFA’s bargaining team understands that health benefit premiums are a high priority for our members.
We are asking the employer to pay 100% of health care premiums.
This request aligns with other CARU collective agreements.
Moreover, it would also partially redress decreased spending power in the face of stagnant wages and rising inflation over the past decade.
For additional background information, read our post from last summer.
| Feb 3, 2015 | Sept 16, 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employee | Employer | Employee | ||||
| Single rate | ||||||