Bay Area Hospital Updates

UFCW Local 555 and Bay Area Hospital representatives met to continue the collective bargaining process.  Topics of discussion during the two day sessions included the process used to select employees to float to different departments, clarification of the job posting procedures, the professional development approval process and issues relating to employee leaves of absence.  Tentative agreements were reached and signed on a number of issues, including steward involvement in grievances and investigatory interviews, changes to the demotion language of the labor agreement and the funding process for reimbursement to UFCW bargaining team members in the future.

A review of recent changes in the law relating to missed break periods was thoroughly discussed.  The parties confirmed that the hospital’s current practice of providing additional compensation to employees who miss a scheduled break period will end as of the beginning of the first full payroll period in January 2009.

Additional interests identified and discussed included the process used and compensation paid to employees who are requested to work extra shifts, changes to the definition of immediate family under the Bereavement language of the labor agreement, individual employees waivers of premium pay in a variety of circumstances, and various issues relating to Home Health and Physical Therapy.

The parties also reviewed and agreed to renew the existing side letters of agreement.  Most of the language issues have been resolved and the parties anticipate moving into a discussion of economic issues at the next scheduled session.

The next scheduled negotiating session will be on November 3 and 4.  Members who are interested in attending any of the upcoming bargaining sessions must contact Kay Nelson at (541) 756-0579 (Ext. 312) by no later than 5:00 p.m. of the Friday prior to the scheduled meeting dates.

UFCW Local 555 and Bay Area Hospital representatives met again on October 13 and 14 to continue negotiations for a new labor agreement.  Subcommittee meetings were held by designated groups relative to specific interests during the past six weeks and the group reviewed the background information obtained during the subcommittee process.  One of the major topics discussed was the hospital’s current attendance policy.  It was unanimously agreed that in the event of a conflict between any provision of the hospital’s attendance policy and the specific terms of the UFCW collective bargaining agreement, the collective bargaining agreement is the controlling document. There was an extended discussion of the need for consistency by managers in applying the attendance policy in all departments.  Additional program activities are under development to provide timely notification to managers of attendance issues for prompt action.  Managers will be provided additional training concerning the need for prompt and consistent application of the existing standards to all bargaining unit employees.

The group also discussed and successfully addressed a number of other interests including clarification of the disciplinary language of the collective bargaining agreement in a variety of different settings.

A revised funding mechanism was developed and agreed upon by the group for the reimbursement for UFCW bargaining team members for future contract negotiation cycles.

The parties discussed and agreed to a revised schedule of meetings.  Additional meetings are now scheduled  for October 20, and 21, November 3 and 4, November 12, 13, 14, December 8,9,and 10 and December 16 and 17.  Members who are interested to attend must contact Kay Nelson at (541) 756-0579 (Ext. 312) by no later than 5:00 p.m. of the Friday prior to the scheduled meeting dates.  

Additional interests are still being developed by the bargaining groups and will be addressed during the bargaining process.  Subcommittees were identified to research additional background information and report back to the group regarding these interests and concerns.  A newly established subcommittee will be reviewing the interests brought forward to the group by the C.N.A.s.

Additional discussion issues included the benefit audit process, and possible revisions to the grievance settlement which established to the quarterly review process and the designation of additional space for UFCW postings in facilities where bargaining unit members are employed.