BEVERLY — Two School Committee members who will vote on a budget that could eliminate health insurance for part-time cafeteria workers are receiving the same benefit themselves, at a cost to the city of $15,000 per year.
School Committee President Annmarie Cesa and Ward 1 representative David Manzi both take the HMO Blue Family health insurance plan offered by the city to elected officials.
The city pays 80 percent of their premium, or $15,165 per year, according to figures provided by the city.
The School Committee is considering a plan that would cut the hours of nine cafeteria workers to fewer than 20 hours per week so they would no longer be eligible for benefits. The move would save $75,826, according to school officials.
Manzi said he "feels their pain" but plans to support the cafeteria worker cuts.
"If it's part of our budget proposal, and that's what we need to do to get to the point where we need to be, then it's going to be an unfortunate situation. It truly is," he said.
Manzi said, however, that he should not have to give up his benefits. He said he has been without a full-time job for a year and a half, and his wife's employer does not offer health insurance.
"Am I supposed to go without health benefits? Is my family supposed to go without health benefits?" he asked. "Am I supposed to risk ownership of my home?"
Manzi acknowledged that the cafeteria workers will be facing the same risks, but said, "Unfortunately, they're not guaranteed a specific amount of hours in their particular job."
Asked if he works 20 hours per week as a School Committee member, Manzi said, "We're technically on call 24 hours per day, seven days a week. That's a fact."
Cesa could not be reached for comment.
Rose Grocki, the business agent for the union that represents the cafeteria workers, said it is "just unbelievable" that the same School Committee would be cutting the benefits of school workers while keeping the same benefits for themselves.
"I find that a slap in the face," Grocki said. "These poor little ladies, they're just such hard little workers. We've got people who are one-member households. Some of them just work for the benefits. I find it very depressing for them.
"How would the School Committee feel if their benefits were taken away?" Grocki said. "They wouldn't like it and neither would the mayor."
Grocki said union members plan to picket tonight outside the Memorial Building, where the School Committee will hold a public hearing on the school budget.
Under state law, municipal employees are eligible for health insurance only if they work at least 20 hours per week. But the same law makes an exception for compensated elected officials, who can get benefits "regardless of the number of hours devoted to the service of the governmental unit."
Benefits are not automatic for part-time elected officials, however, according to information on the Massachusetts Municipal Association website. The mayor of a city or the board of selectmen in a town can opt not to make part-time elected officials eligible, according to the MMA.
Mayor Bill Scanlon said he wasn't sure if he had the authority to end insurance benefits for elected officials, but is looking into it.
"I think it would be worthy of discussion," he said.
In addition to Cesa and Manzi, City Councilor Paul Guanci also receives health insurance benefits through the city.
Guanci, who owns Super Sub on Cabot Street, said the savings from getting his insurance through the city allows him to offer health insurance to some of his own employees.
But he acknowledged that eliminating the benefit for elected officials should be considered.
"In these economic times you have to take a look at everything," he said.
Staff writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2675 or by e-mail at pleighton@salemnews.com.
Benefits for elected officials in Beverly
School Committee members Annmarie Cesa and David Manzi and City Councilor Paul Guanci all receive the HMO Blue family plan through the city.
Annual cost of each plan$18,956
Annual cost to employee$3,791
Annual cost to city$15,165
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