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LaborWire - The Joe Hill Dispatch: "Twin Cities Metro Transit bus driver, Jim Jeffries writes in TC Metro:
Currently a driver with dependents is contributing $265/month toward healthcare. The state wants to increase that to $304 in 2004, $401 in 2005 and an estimated $681 in 2006.

Here's how the drivers' standard of living will be affected:
2004 - Additional cost of healthcare $39 cost of inflation $87 = $126/mo (3% decline in living standard)
2005 - Additional cost of healthcare $136 cost of inflation $174 - 1% 2005 pay raise $38 = $272/mo (7% decline in living standard)
2006 - Additional cost of healthcare $416 cost of inflation $261 - 1% 2005 pay raise $38 = $639/mo (17% decline in living standard)

In other words, we won't be able to make our rent or mortgage payments. The state's demand is very scary for us. That's why we had to strike. It's all about fear."
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