Emblematic reform

The city’s Office of Labor Relations ensures that the contract procurement process is impartial. Evaluation committee members are selected who are free of conflicts of interest. Members must sign a conflicts of interest/nondisclosure form affirming that no conflict of interest exists and to divulge any circumstances that may create an actual or apparent conflict of interest. A reasonable standard.

Now that an evaluation committee has recommended that EmblemHealth receive a contract to provide health benefits to  in-service workers, pre-Medicare retirees and their dependents, the Municipal Labor Committee will vote on ratification. MLC Secretary and Teamsters 237 President Gregory Floyd will have a vote. 

But according to Department of Labor and Internal Revenue records reviewed by Maya Kaufman of POLITICO New York, EmblemHealth has donated $550,000 since 2018 to charities on behalf of Floyd.  EmblemHealth also paid for tickets in an Emblem-reserved Barclays Center suite for him. And he serves on their board, This is all legal but troublesome.

Such an appearance of a conflict of interest requires that Floyd recuse himself from the vote, or step down from the board.

The MLC already has conflict of interest issues. Their attorney, Alan Klinger, also represents the United Federation of Teachers, District Council 37 and other unions who may have competing interests.

In 2021, Floyd  voted for EmblemHealth in its failed bid to receive a Medicare Advantage contract from the city. He defended himself,  telling the New York Post: “It’s only a conflict if I was the only union leader voting or if I had the most influential vote. It wasn’t the case. I had one vote — that was it.”

He really didn’t get it then. But now is an opportunity for Floyd to show other MLC members that he can be a voice for reform. Perhaps even lead them.

Harry Weiner

The writer is a member of the Council of Municipal Retiree Organizations.