Is Local 328 Switching To A PTO System?
No. Not unless we agree to, and we haven't done that.
You can download a copy of the PTO proposal here.
Local 328 continues to get questions about PTO in response to OHSU's recent communication on the subject. While many took the wording in OHSU’s blog post to mean that OHSU is moving forward with PTO even though the nurses did not agree to change to a PTO system in their contract negotiations, what OHSU was communicating is that PTO continues to be a priority for the organization and that it will go ahead with PTO for unclassified employees and continue to propose it to represented employees.
Local 328 has NOT agreed to a PTO proposal. OHSU cannot simply impose PTO on our bargaining unit without our agreement. OHSU knows this and it has never indicated any attempt to do anything but follow the contract. We DO have contract language which says we will meet and form a task force with OHSU. A task force is a place where we can discuss PTO, look at possibilities for changes and make recommendations. A task force is not collective bargaining and we are not required to come to a resolution by participating in a task force. Our contract does NOT obligate us to formally bargain over PTO prior to negotiations in 2019. However, when bargaining begins OHSU may decide to put a PTO proposal on the table.
We are committed to full disclosure and membership involvement and no changes will be made without that discussion and involvement. At this time only one meeting has been held and that was between OHSU and AFSCME staff for the purpose of allowing OHSU to explain what was being provided to unclassified employees. As of this time OHSU has not contacted to our union to formally propose that the task force be formed and begin meeting. We will let you know if it does. We will to continue to post updates on our FaceBook page on our blog so that members may comment and share ideas and concerns.