Bargaining Update: June 7
June Bargaining Events: With our contract expiring at the end of the month, now is the time to show OHSU our strength! Our union has planned a number of events for June, culminating in a rally at the end of the month. Details can be found here.
Today’s Session: After last week’s work day, the teams came to the table with a group of tentative agreements and a number of counterproposals. While we remain quite far apart on a number of items — many significant — we’re getting closer to agreement on a good amount of language. The state mediator will join us next week for another day of mediation.
5.37 Designated Union Representative (updated definition)
5.UX13 Without Authorized Leave (new definition to go with 23.6 Unauthorized Absences)
18.3 Non-Temporary Transfer to Separate Location (minor changes)
10.2 Internal Job Change Evaluation Period (a relaxing of the evaluation requirements for employees changing from relief or flex to regular status)
23.6 Unauthorized Absences (clarifications and improvements)
MOU #11 Staffing Escalation (non-substantive update)
Local 328 Counterproposals:
2 Union Provisions: We proposed a number of changes to OHSU’s counterproposal to this article, which covers areas like staff and steward access, release time for officers and stewards, how many stewards we can have, etc.
6.1.3 Complaints of Discrimination & Harassment: We accepted some of OHSU’s changes to this language and rejected others.
6.8.5 Removal of Materials: We reproposed having managers discuss this contractual right during the annual-review process.
6.13 Contracting Out Services + MOU #UX12 Contracting Out Model: We presented an updated version of our previous proposal.
8.6 Upward Adjustments: We again countered with retaining current contract language.
15 Insurance Benefits: We rejected OHSU’s proposal to change insurance contributions from a lump sum for medical, dental and vision to separate amounts for each, and proposed basing the employer contribution on the greater of FTE status or actual hours worked.
20.1.4 Termination During Probationary Period: We countered with an addition to OHSU’s last counterproposal.
21.2.1 Implementation of New/Revised Classifications: We countered with retaining current contract language.
23.1 Progressive Discipline: We accepted some of OHSU’s proposed changes and proposed removing demotion and the withholding of pay increases as disciplinary options.
23.1.2 Suspension of Seniority Rights: We reproposed removing this language from our contract.
23.7 Limits on Pay Reduction: We reproposed limiting disciplinary pay reductions to no more than 3% for four pay periods.
24.1 Grievance Procedure: We rejected most of OHSU’s proposed changes to this section of the contract. Our counterproposal can be reviewed here.
27.6 Work with Dangerous Materials: We re-presented our original proposal from the beginning of bargaining.
27.7 Exposure to Serious Communicable Diseases: We agree with most of OHSU’s proposed changes and countered with a couple of minor changes.
MOU re: Exit Interviews: We re-presented our last counterproposal, but moved to a one-year timeframe for OHSU to implement exit interviews (previous timeframe was six months).
Flex Package: We responded to OHSU’s April 26 flex-staff proposals with a mix of OHSU’s proposed language as is, current contract language and changes to OHSU’s proposals. Our flex-staff counterproposals can be viewed here.
OHSU Counterproposals:
Telework (Remote Work): OHSU finally responded to our April 26 telework proposals. While the employer accepted some of our proposed language, it rejected our proposals re: out-of-state telework, a stipend for an employee’s initial work-from-home setup and more. OHSU re-presented its return-to-work proposal, which would allow the employer to recall fully remote workers back to onsite work with 28 days’ notice. The rationale presented for this was that “remote work is something that is not permanent.” The full set of OHSU’s responses can be viewed here.
13.3.3 Notification of Sick-Time Usage: OHSU accepted much of this proposed new language but rejected some of it.
15.1.2 Relief Employees: OHSU added some clarifying language re: insurance benefits for employees who change to relief from full- or part-time status.
MOU #UX7 Employee Designations: OHSU agreed with most of this language but would like to reduce the reporting requirement from four times per year to two.
MOU #18 OHSU/AFSCME Task Force on Workplace Mental Health Support: OHSU proposed that a subcommittee work on the proposed changes for this MOU away from the table.
Waivers Package: OHSU withdrew its proposal to remove the daily-overtime and shift-differential waiver forms from the contract, which we appreciate, and proposed adding a waiver form for weekend differential.
Emergency Package: OHSU presented a package consisting of its MOU re: pandemic/state-of-emergency bargaining plus a revised version of our proposal re: catastrophic event/emergency leave. The package can be viewed here.
In addition, OHSU re-presented 15 unpackaged counterproposals (2.10, MOU #UX4, 8.11, 9.3, 10.UX1, 14.2.5, 21.1, 21.2, 21.3, 22.1.4, 22.3, 22.5, MOU #7, 5.UX4, MOU #20) that were part of their 65-page package from May 17, as well as a smaller package consisting of proposals from the May 17 package (10.8, 14.1.1, MOU #UX6) plus a new counter to our proposal re: 22.1.1 Education & Training Hours. These counterproposals are unchanged, so can be referenced here.