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.