ESI Council leadership changes and 2019 wrap-up

New leaders were elected to the ESI Council and met last month in Clearwater, Fla., to wrap up their work for the year. Members of the council represent 1,000 employees at Cigna, who recently purchased Express Scripts, the nation’s largest pharmacy benefit manager.

The workers are spread across five locations in four states—Florida, New Jersey, Washington, and Pennsylvania. All locations have concluded 2019 bargaining except for the Tampa, Fla., unit, which enters negotiations later this year.

With the billion-dollar merger finally complete, the council is ready to turn a new leaf.

“2020 is going to bring a lot of change,” said Winston Callum, president of the council and of Local 985 in Tampa. “This recent meeting helped us make sure we have strength in future bargaining.”

Figure 1, ESI Council: Sitting left to right – Vice President Harry Harris, President Winston Callum, USW International Vice President Fred Redmond, Vice President Lee Astle; Standing left to right – Debbie Brearey (By-Laws), Karen Mitchell (Treasurer), Cavan Simon (Trustee), Jean Matrazzo (Recording Secretary), Michelle Benner (By-Laws), Gabe Startari (Trustee).