Here’s your weekly update from your co-workers on the SEIU Healthcare Minnesota bargaining team:
The employer has been asking us for our economic package that we gave to them two weeks ago. We came prepared to hear a counter to our economic proposal, which we are still waiting for.
There are still a lot of take-backs on the table. The employers still propose to:
North Memorial management wants special treatment outside of the other Twin City hospitals. They are requesting restrictions that other hospitals do not have.
Remember…WE’RE STRONGER TOGETHER!
Here’s your weekly update from your co-workers on the SEIU Healthcare Minnesota bargaining team:
Modifications and counter proposals were shared across the table today, with only a little progress. The employers were rather edgy when re-presenting their vacation accrual proposal. This proposal would significantly reduce the earned vacation time for many part time members. This is not acceptable to our membership, and is clearly a take-away.
While we believed that we would receive a counter-proposal to our economic package, it never came. Instead we will be waiting until at least February 21st to hear their response.
Your contract bargaining team is working hard to complete contract negotiations. We are working for justice, equality, and a signable contract.
Remember…WE’RE STRONGER TOGETHER!
Here’s your weekly update from your co-workers on the SEIU Healthcare Minnesota bargaining team:
We began negotiations with an opening statement and told the employer that our fellow members have told us “No Take-Aways” and we are here to represent them. Our team is frustrated with the progress of negotiations, and informed the employer that we will not let them balance their budget on our backs.
However, there was still no significant movement at the table.
We have informed the employer that we expect and desire to achieve a fair and just contract that addresses our issues, and shows a new vision of respect and dignity towards all of the members of our facilities.
Remember…WE’RE STRONGER TOGETHER!
Here’s your weekly update from your co-workers on the SEIU Healthcare Minnesota bargaining team:
We came ready to negotiate today and our team made significant movement. However, the employer has continued to say no to our proposals and constantly repeats the same refrain that “they have to be good stewards of our limited resources.” We couldn’t agree more, but they seem to mean that we have to do so on the backs of workers and our ability to provide quality care.
It’s clear that we need to stand together and speak with one voice to win a fair and just contract for ourselves and our patients!
Remember…WE’RE STRONGER TOGETHER!
Here’s the video update from negotiating team members, Maxine Maxon from Fairview Riverside & Billie Brown from North Memorial.
We had a busy day, however there was no movement at the table.
We gave the employer a package of proposals that we feel were reasonable and they refused to work with us.
At this time we do not feel that the employer is taking us seriously.
We know the employer makes mistakes on our paychecks. They are proposing to change our contract so they don’t have to correct their payroll error right away unless it is $100 or more (an increase from $50). This $100 puts food on our families’ dinner tables.
If we want movement in negotiations we need to show our support.
We offered a safe staffing committee to address patient and worker safety concerns, but we’ve been told by the employer that, “we don’t need another committee.”
The current proposal from the employer is gutting our contract through the elimination of overtime, elimination of holiday preference, elimination of seniority rights, elimination of everything we have worked for over all of these years in the contract that we enjoy.
It is time to take a stand and show your support. Wear your buttons, and stickers.
Look for the bargaining team to be calling on you for your opinion.
Remember, we’re STRONGER TOGETHER
Here’s the video update from negotiating team members, Maxine Maxon from Fairview Riverside & Billie Brown from North Memorial.
It was another long day at the bargaining table. We met early this morning without the employer and reviewed the employer proposals. The employer has a lot of proposals, and after reviewing these we realized there are several take-backs in the employer’s proposals. Some of these include:
The employer has so many proposals that we are unsure of their priorities for these negotiations.
We are continuing to work through our proposals and are making progress.
However, the employer continues to belabor their argument about the rising cost of health care needs.
We have only discussed non-economic proposals, and will discuss economic proposals at a later bargaining session.
Continue to follow our updates each week, and stay in the loop. We will be meeting every Tuesday through February, except next week we’ll meet on Wednesday, January 25th.
Be sure to wear your stickers in the facilities. If you have any questions, or would like more information contact a bargaining committee member or FACTs team member.
Remember, we’re STRONGER TOGETHER!
During this year’s negotiations, we will be sending out regular video updates via YouTube and email, increasing our use of our Facebook page and website, and distributing paper flyers as necessary in our facilities to keep all members up to date.
Make sure all of your co-workers are In the Loop by clicking here to remind them to get signed up for negotiations updates!
If you haven’t “liked” our Facebook page, click here.
Today was our first day of negotiations, we started with introductions, and our bargaining committee and the employer read their opening statements and gave their non-economic proposals.
In our opening statement were some of our goals for negotiations, which include:
Our bargaining team all wore stickers with the statement, “working for justice and equality” These are the same stickers that members were wearing in the facilities.
The employer’s opening statement emphasized two common themes:
The employer has claimed to provide millions and millions and millions of uncompensated care to the community because people are out of work, and they are also squeezed by the reimbursement system. At this time it seems that they want to take it out on the backs of the workers.
Stay tuned for more updates as we move forward. We will be meeting every Tuesday through February.
Be sure to sign the petition of support, and wear your stickers in the facilities. If you have any questions, or would like more information contact a bargaining committee member or FACTs team member.
Daily Kos Labor