Feb 10, 2008  
Bargaining – 2/7/08
 
With no agreement Health Insurance is added to the 'economics' pot by the administration. Next negotiations will be about wages.

Today, management submitted their counter proposal for Health Insurance. It was again "status quo," per Tom their lawyer. The union's position is for paid coverage to employees and their families which is the standard at all union hospitals; part of the same industry standards we want at Enloe.

What with the hospital's new Blue Cross insurance, there were questions from the union side. The union's chief negotiator, Charlie, asked if Enloe's present Value Plan had been expanded. Basically, per management there is no change in this plan. It can be used for Enloe visits and for doctor visits in the area, but only for emergencies at hospitals out of the area. The hospital's present Classic Plan covers workers better if you need to go to a hospital out of the area. Charlie asked if there was another plan that covered management and was told that there was only the Classic and Value plans for all.

The union proposed coverage for 90% of the cost for hospital visits, instead of the current coverage for 80% for hospital visits. Management said no. The union, of course, proposed to keep the present coverage for 100% of labs and radiology done at Enloe.

Charlie asked about Long Term Disability (LTD) insurance and was told that Enloe hasn’t had it for about the last ten years. We proposed long term disability insurance that replaces 50% of wages lost. The administration said it wanted more details. Charlie said we would have more information next time about basic guidelines. He said the union would get quotes from insurance companies.

Management then said they wanted to wait to finish up insurance, and put it aside to be included in the total "economic" package along with other economic issues on which we have not yet reached an agreement. The main component of this economic package will be wages. At the next bargaining session, we will present our complete wage scale proposal. Hopefully, we will also start bargaining on the so-called "total economic package."

Management undoubtedly already knows the 'price' they WANT to pay for this total economic package, and how much they are WILLING to pay. They will try to get us to stay within their 'price' by getting us to give up on some or most of our 'economic' proposals that we still have not agreed upon. We, on the other hand, will try to get them to understand how serious we are in getting our fellow workers the same standards of appropriate wages, benefits and workplace input as hospital workers at other north state hospitals already have; what we call Industry Standards.

Please come to the next bargaining session. We understand how difficult it is for most workers to come to these bargaining sessions. Management does not make it easy for us workers. Management refuses to hold these meetings at the Esplanade building where, not only would it be more convenient for workers to drop by, but the hospital could save the money they use for renting the hotel conference rooms used for negotiations. Our bargaining team started with over 20 employees back in May of last year. Each bargaining day costs each of your bargaining team members a day's wages. It has taken this long to negotiate and agree on only about 60% of a complete contract proposed by the union on day one of negotiations. This length of time it has taken, we feel, is a strategy the administration uses to reduce our numbers and weaken our resolve. Presently, we average a little over ten members each session. So we know how hard it is to come to these meetings. But, please come.

The next session will be about wages and will be the best time for coworkers to show up. The more employees that management sees looking back at them across the bargaining table, the more they will understand our seriousness. What we finally agree to in this contract will effect all of us in the Service Unit, and even beyond.

Bargaining will take place at the Oxford Suites (across the street from IHOP) on this coming Friday, February 15, from 10:00 AM to 5 PM. Drop in at any time, before, during, or after work. Maybe you can come by and have lunch with us. See you there, eh?