Nice try at another spin there Blade. In our current contract (Southern Region Supplement ABF), the rate paid on our behalf weekly for Health and Welfare was $401.13 effective August 1st of 2018 with a .40 cent per hour bump on 08/01/2019. Followed by a .42 cent per hour bump on 08/01/2020. And a .50 cent per hour bump for 2021 and 2022. This is part of our pay package and is reflected at the end of the year as such (at least it is at ABF). The reason we pay no taxes on it is because of an exemption from the Affordable Care Act granted to Union health care plans. Without this exemption, we would be taxed at a certain point for it as our plan is considered a "Cadillac"plan.
Therefore, as it is part of our pay package, and there are hourly increases to it each year, I stand behind my statement that is considered part of our hourly rate when it is negotiated in our pay package. And as far as addressing your other points, the only points I see you making is that you will take advantage of any pay that comes your way and yet tell others it is Socialism. So, does this mean you are in favor of Socialism? Or just a Hypocrite?