Feb 16, 2008  
Bargaining – 2/15/08
 
The union presented its wage proposal...It was a good session with about 60 service department members there to support our team....

Today, the union presented its wage proposal based on, and compared to, the standard pay rates and job titles/descriptions for other north state hospitals.

Our proposal was presented and explained by Heath from the UHW research department using bargaining unit data provided by Enloe, such as hire date and time of service. The union proposed a "Starting wage" that averages around 30 to 40% higher than Enloe's present starting wage, plus six other length-of-service steps (wage increases). Each successive year of service – from starting through year five – has an increase of 4%. After 10 years of service there is a 2% increase. Also see below:
Step 1. Starting Wage: 30 to 40 % increase over current starting wages
Step 2. After 1 year of service: 4% increase over Step 1
Step 3. After 2 years of service: 4% increase over Step 2
Step 4. After 3 years of service: 4% increase over Step 3
Step 5. After 4 years of service: 4% increase over Step 4
Step 6. After 5 years of service: 4% increase over Step 5
Step 7. After 10 years of service: 2% increase over Step 6

Complete wage scales were given for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010 (the possible life of the contract), with an additional overall increase of 4% for each of those years. These increases would take place on March 1st of each year for the life of the contract.

Employees will be placed by classification/job description and seniority with regular and per diems receiving the same consideration. No member will have her or his wages reduced by this scale, and, if their wages happen to be equal to the new scale, will get no less than a 4% increase. Individual employees will see their increases take effect on their anniversary dates of hire.

Also proposed was a retroactive payment that would represent the administration's "market survey" increase given last year (on 7/1/07) to non-service unit employees, but NOT to the service unit. Though, at the time of the increase, we urged the administration to give their market survey increase to our service unit, they refused saying they "couldn't" because of "bargaining." To make up for this refusal, we proposed, today, a 3% increase in the service unit's wages that would be retroactive back to July 1st of last year.

The administration asked questions, then caucused. Management returned stating they needed more time to do research. This proposal is the "center piece" for both the union and management, which they combined with other economic issues. The administration said they needed to meet with their number crunchers and come back with a counter proposal. They stated this might not be ready by our next bargaining on Tuesday, 2/19/08.

Meanwhile, management would like to settle other proposed articles still out there. Next Tuesday, they intend to counter our retirement proposal.

It was a good session, today, with about 60 service department members there to support our team. Folks kept coming into the room all day long, with some having to leave early to go to work. Let’s hope we’ll continue to have increased participation. It’s our contract and the more unity we show, the better contract we’ll get.

We still have the petition of support for your team circulating and need everyone to sign it. Let’s help Debi Yancer see that we deserve – and want – Industry Standard wages and benefits. We show compassion for patients. Let the administration show compassion and respect for its staff. Like Debi has said so many times to so many people, "Isn’t that what it’s all about?"

For futher discussion on "retro pay" go to this website's home page and click on the button to our blog/comment area: ENLOEMEDICINE BLOG. There you can add your feelings and suggestions.