The Back Story & the Future

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 Starting on January 1st, 2019  the Miami Association of Firefighters took over the Health, Vision, Dental and Mental Health Insurance coverage for its active and retired membership. The agreement with the City of Miami to transfer the responsibility of providing the health trust to the Union came after multiple years of negotiations. The Firefighters’ Union leadership wanted a chance to control how the health trust was run and after years at the bargaining table, the City of 

Miami was finally convinced that it was worth giving the firefighters that chance.

There was some doubt amongst the rank and file that the firefighters could succeed in running the health trust because a previous attempt in the 1980s by the firefighters to run their own health trust ended up failing after only a few years. Some of the older members were quick to point out that the past failure could end up happening again. But this time the City was more supportive and the firefighters had secured a professional consultant to guide them through the process of setting up and running the Health Trust.

As of 2024, six years have gone by and by all measurements, the Local 587 Health Insurance Trust has been a success, and there will continue to be a commitment to provide fiscally responsible decisions in order to keep the rates reasonable for both the actives and retirees and still provide a complete health and wellness package.

The Board of Trustees and the Union Leadership have continued to keep the active and retired membership’s health and welfare concerns in mind as they navigate the complex world of work force health care. We hope that you agree that the Local 587 Health Insurance Trust Fund has been a success as the Board of Trustees and Union leadership will continue to strive to build on the past accomplishments to make your health care proactive and affordable.