The “S Word”
—guest post by board member Christine Murray—
The stewards and member leaders of AFSCME Local 328 have received more than a few inquiries about the possibility of a strike. It’s not hard to see why after reviewing the proposals made by OHSU during bargaining. For most of our members, the idea of going on strike is uncharted territory and there are many questions. This article hopes to answer some of these questions and help our members make decisions about preparing for a possible strike.
The word “strike” is not one to be used lightly when a union is in negotiations with management. A strike is the most powerful tool our union has when it comes to forcing management to deal honestly and fairly with our membership. It is also a tool of last resort. There are still many weeks of negotiation ahead of us, and there are many other actions our union can take to put pressure on management and encourage OHSU to deal fairly with us. Still, the possibility exists that OHSU will persist in offering us an unfair contract that increases our health-insurance costs (reduced premium contributions, spousal surcharge), reduces our vacation time and restricts our access to sick time (PTO), imposes a harsher attendance policy (three occurrences in a 160-day period may trigger discipline) and forces employees to stay in their old department for up to eight weeks before they can transfer to a new position at OHSU. OHSU might also continue to insist that the cost of correcting a history of inequitable pay for women and minorities should be borne by AFSCME members, in the form of denying us our earned progression increases and holding back a portion of our across-the-board raises. If this happens, our members will have to make some choices.
The first thing to know is that Local 328 leadership does not make the decision to strike. It is a decision we all make together as dues-paying members. When OHSU’s final proposal is offered to AFSCME, we will vote to accept it or reject it. This means that the most important thing our members can do to prepare is to stay informed about where our negotiations stand and be ready to vote when the time comes. Low turnout means that our members could wind up having to accept an inadequate contract they do not agree with and which hurts them financially. It is absolutely critical that all members vote both in the current bargaining survey and on the proposed contract later on!
The second thing to know is that every member needs to be preparing right now for the possibility of a strike. OHSU is already preparing. Yes, you read that right. OHSU is already making plans for a potential strike, so it is not enough for us to simply be angry about management’s proposed take-backs during a time of record profit. With $1.5 billion cash on hand, you can bet OHSU will be well prepared should it come to a strike — if we want to be successful, then we need to be prepared, too. The threat of a strike only has power if the members of Local 328 can and will carry out that threat — to do that we must stick together and prepare.
A strike can last a few days or several weeks — the more employees who go out and stay out, the greater the pressure on the employer to settle quickly. To be clear, it is by no means certain that Local 328 will need to strike. We have much more work to do before things get to that point. However; having seen what OHSU has proposed to us and knowing that management is already preparing for the possibility of a strike means we need to be ready. So how does one prepare for a strike?
Below are a number of steps members can take to prepare financially. OHSU is in the best financial shape in its history. We all hope that management will remember that it sacrifices made during the recession by AFSCME-represented employees helped OHSU come out strong and healthy and will bargain with us accordingly. But we can’t count on it. Now is the time to prepare. We stand strong when we stand together!
Setting Money Aside
Consider changing your W4 withholding status to the maximum amount allowed and putting the extra money into a savings account to be used only in the event of a strike. If you decide to change your withholding status, log into Oracle Employee Self Service and select “W4 Tax Form.” (Be sure to change your status back after the threat of a strike has passed.)
Hold off on purchasing discretionary items or taking on any new payments for the duration of negotiations. If you have time off coming up, plan a staycation.
Start packing your lunch and bringing coffee from home. Staying away from the cafeterias and coffee stands will increase your savings, plus the decrease in revenue will send a message to OHSU that its employees are preparing.
Volunteer for overtime when it’s offered at work and set that money aside.
Dealing with Creditors
Contact your landlord or mortgage company now to see if they have programs to work with people on strike. Letting them know ahead of time will help you plan properly.
Contact your credit-card companies and negotiate a plan for making payments for the possible duration of a strike. Companies will work with you if you plan ahead.
Check whether your utility companies offer the option to equalize monthly payments. If this option is available and will lower your monthly payments, sign up and save the difference.
Making Other Preparations
If you and your family have any routine medical needs, make your appointments now. Make sure your prescriptions are refilled—get a three-month supply if you can.
Plant a garden. The Oregon Food Bank offers free seeds and starts and many libraries have community seed banks. A small plot can supply a family with a lot of food.
Start purchasing extra staples every week. Load up on canned goods and other non-perishable items and fill your freezer. It’s always good to be prepared, and planning ahead now means smaller grocery bills later.
Talk to your family, friends, church leaders and other support systems. Let them know you are preparing for the possibility of a strike at work. They may be willing to assist.
Start coordinating with family and friends about the helping with childcare during a strike. You may be able to trade days with other AFSCME members or coordinate a group to rotate childcare responsibilities.
Update your résumé. Getting a part-time job during a strike is an excellent way to weather the storm during a long strike, if it comes to that.
May is the time for voluntary cash-out requests. Consider opting to cash out some of your vacation and comp-time accruals. Due to timing (May requests are paid out in the second half of the year), these funds wouldn’t be available right away, but a financial boost in late summer or early fall could be helpful in the event that our union did end up striking.