SEIU and CNMC
Reach Tentative Agreement

At the conclusion of a marathon twenty (20) hour bargaining session, SEIU Local 722 and Children's National reached a tentative agreement on a new contract Saturday morning June 27th.

We want to publicly thank our bargaining committee for thinking outside the box when confronted with difficult choices.  An overview of the agreement will be found on this webpage. 

The agreement will be presented to members Wednesday, July 1, 2009. Meeting details are as follow:

 CONTRACT RATIFICATION MEETING
 WHEN:  WEDNESDAY JULY 1, 2009
WHERE: 5^TH  FLOOR RESEARCH ATRIUM
TIME:  7:00 AM to 9:00 AM
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
2:30 PM to 6:30 PM

Bring Your Hospital Badge or Personal Photo Identification

Click for more details

Day Nine - June 27th

• Local 722 Proposals
              4:30am version
              5:15am version

• CNMC Management Proposals
             Comprehensive Counterproposal - (June 27, 2009)
             13.16 Parking - (June 27, 2009)

Day Eight - June 26th

• Local 722 Proposals
              9:30pm version
              4:20pm version

• CNMC Management Proposals
             Proposals #1 - Article IV: Hours & Wages -(June 25, 2009)

Day Seven - June 25th

• Local 722 Proposals

• CNMC Management Proposals
             Proposals #7 - Attendance Guidelines -(June 25, 2009)
                  Comprehensive Counterproposal - (June 26, 2009)

Day Six- June 22nd

• Local 722 Proposals
            Update #4   Resolved Issues

• CNMC Management Proposals
            Proposals #7 - Attendance Guidelines -(June 22, 2009)
            Joint Forum on Staffing

Day Five - June 16th

• Local 722 Proposals
            Update #3 

• CNMC Management Proposals
            4.04 Wages
            5.01 Article V: Paid Leave
            7.01 Article VII: Holidays

Day Four - June 15th

• Local 722 Proposals

• CNMC Management Proposals
            Proposal No. 6
            Article I: Recognition, Unit and Checkoff

Day Three - June 8th

• Local 722 Proposals

• CNMC Management Proposals
           Article X: Benefits
           Article V: Paid Leave 

Day Two - June 5th

• Local 722 Proposals

• CNMC Management Proposals

Day One - June 2nd

• Local 722 Original Proposals

• CNMC Management Original Proposals

• Analysis of Management Original Proposals by SEIU 722

SEIU 722
CNMC Negotiation Update # 3
Friday June 19, 2009

Some progress, but not enough!

At the half-way point in our expedited bargaining process, we have made significant progress on several non economic issues. However, the Union and Management remain deeply divided on issues concerning economics.

On June 16^th, Management gave us an overview of their financial performance over the last two (2) years, and their projections for FY'10. Although we recognize some of their economic concerns are beyond their control, we expect them to be candid and take full responsibility for bad or untimely financial decisions within their control.

In any event we do not accept the proposition that you be required to shoulder the financial burdens disproportionate to our collective share of the Hospital's obligations.

You (SEIU MEMBERS ONLY) will be given an opportunity to Accept or Reject a proposed agreement on July 1, 2009.

Your bargaining committee will recommend acceptance or make no recommendation at that time. The meeting will be held in the 5th Floor Research Atrium. Times are 7:00 am to 9:00 am; 11:00 am to 1:00pm; and 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm. BRING HOSPITAL I.D.

UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE AS OF JUNE  16TH!

1.     1.   No Lay-Offs
As expected, citing financial uncertainties, Management continues to reject our proposal not to reduce current staffing levels during the terms of our Contract. We continue to insist if employees are not given livable wage increases, they should be guaranteed employment.

2. Wages
Management Proposal: 1% pay increases each year for the next three (3) years and a 1% increase in the Minimum and Maximum pay rates each year for the next three (3) years. Full Time employees over the Maximum would receive a ($300.00) lump sum payment each year. Part Time employees would receive a (150) lump sum payment each year. Management also proposes to complete a market review of positions in the Laboratory by July 1, 2010; COR, Sr. COR, COR Team Leader, Reimbursement Associate and Patient Access Representative by September 1, 2010; Environmental Assistants by November 1, 2010 and Unit Communication Associates by January 1, 2011.
SEIU Local 722 Proposal:  No Change from Original.

3. Night Shift Differential
Management Proposal: To delete the requirement that employees be paid. Differential their entire shift if the majority of their hours are between 3:00 pm and 11:30 pm or 11:00 pm and 7:30am.
SEIU Local 722 Proposal: Increase Night Shift Differential (11:00 pm to 7:30 am) by 5%.

4. Parking
Management Proposal: Increase parking rates by ($3.00) January 1, 2010 and ($3.00) January 1, 2011. Charge employees parking off campus the same rates paid by employees parking at the Hospital.
SEIU Local 722 Responses: NO

5. Rest Periods
Management Proposal:  No payment to employees for missed Break Periods
SEIU Local 722 Response: NO

6. Arbitration Awards
Management Proposal: Limit to (90) days the amount of Back Pay an employee can receive.
SEIU Local 722 Response: No

5. Education Assistance
We have reached a tentative agreement on this. Management will increase their contributions to ($1,500.00) for Full Time employees and ($750.00) for Part Time employees, and add the following language, "Consistent with the applicable scheduling procedures, departments will make reasonable efforts to provide employees covered by this Agreement the same opportunity to adjust work schedules as provided to other Departmental employees for the purpose of attending formal education or training courses. If an employee covered by this Agreement is denied a schedule change in order to utilize the benefit specified in this subsection, said employee shall receive in writing the reason for the denial.

6. Enhance Death Benefit for Helicopter and Ground Transport Employees
We have reached a tentative agreement on this. Management shall provide Transport Team Paramedics and Respiratory Care Practitioners four (4) times their annual salary, with a maximum of ($400,000.00) for accidental deaths accruing while participating in a Ground or Flight Transport.

OTHER UNRESOLVED ISSUES!

A. Tax Sheltered Annuity Program
B. Joint Union/Management Committee on Department/Unit Staffing Levels
C. Short-Term Disability Plan
D. Attendance Guidelines

SEIU 722
CNMC Negotiation Update # 2

Thursday June 11, 2009

Bargaining at CNMC began as planned on June 2nd. Initial proposals were exchanged and explained.

During the second bargaining session (June 5th), Local 722 accepted Management Proposals to change the Free Day Holiday installment from Calendar Year to Fiscal Year, and Management Proposal to limit employee check cashing to employee personal checks. We also received Management Attendance Guidelines and Laboratory Upgrade proposals.

At the conclusion of bargaining we held a side-bar discussion with Ms. Penny Adams (Director of Nutrition Services) and Mr. Jack Gottschalk (Executive Director Employee/Labor Relations) on why only Nutrition Services require several classifications to work three (3) weekends per month. At the conclusion of our conversation we requested Ms. Adams research what she needed in order to give all employees two (2) weekends off per month.

Our third session (June 8th) was devoted primarily to Management's proposal concerning the Tax Sheltered Annuity Program.

In response to our request for information, we found out the following: There are no Local 722 members participating in the 401(k) plan; Although Local 722 members make up 46% of participants in the 403(b) Plan, we collectively receive only 33% of the Hospital's matching funds; When the two Plans are combined, Local 722 members make up 17% of participants but collectively receive only 10% of the Hospital's matching cost. We will explore this in greater detail in a future update.

During our June 8th session Management agreed to increase the Death Benefit for Transport Team Paramedics and Respiratory Care Practitioners with more than one year Hospital seniority to four (4) times their annual base salary with a maximum of $400.000.00. Management also submitted a proposal on "Instructor Pay" which outlined the Criteria, Duties, Guidelines, Selection and Pay. Management also listed Laboratory Associate, Senior Laboratory Associate, ER Technicians and Wound Management Technicians as potential positions which qualify for "Instructor Pay".

Local 722 submitted our counter proposals on Attendance Guidelines and Pay Equity in Laboratory Clinical Support Services.

Our Attendance Counter proposal includes (1) installing a Calendar Year system from July 1 to June 30 instead of a 12 month roving calendar; (2) starting a six (6) minute Grace Period; (3) limit termination for No/Call No Show to 3 scheduled shifts per calendar year instead of 3 scheduled shifts forever;
(4) Step 1 Written Warning 5 Occurrences
Step 2 Written Warning 7 occurrences
Step 3 Suspension (8) Occurrences
Step 4 Termination (10) occurrences.

On July 1st of the next year an employee would go back to zero (although their disciplines would remain).

We also submitted our written proposal on the Joint Committee on Staffing.

The Hospital shall review the current staffing levels to insure optimum Patient Care, Quality Customer Service and Employee Safety. (A) Management's review must be completed and shared with Local 722 within (120) days of the effective date of this Contract; (B) Local 722 will then have (30) days to review and submit written comments; (C)within (15) days a Joint Labor/Management Committee shall meet to review any disagreements; (D) within (15) days Management shall implement staffing changes.

At the conclusion of bargaining we held a side-bar meeting with Ms. Kathryn Koepenick, Director, Employee/Labor Relations, Mr. Jack Gottschalk, Executive Director, Labor Relations and Employment and Ms. Faron Fitzhugh, Sr. Manager, Practice Operation.

We discussed concerns raised by several night shift Ecmo Technicians concerning questionable hiring and shift assignment practices. Human Resources will look into the Ecmo situation and get back with us next week.

We discussed with Ms. Fitzhugh why was it still necessary for Reimbursement Associates to wear uniforms although many of them are no longer stationed in areas directly accessible to the public. Ms. Fitzhugh shared with us her decision to reverse the uniform requirement effect July 1, 2009.
 

SEIU 722
CNMC Negotiation Update # 1

Friday June 5, 2009

After receiving input and suggestions from member activist, stewards and floor leaders, SEIU Local 722 began bargaining with CNMC management on Tuesday June 2nd.

We will again utilize an expedited bargaining process. Our objective is to complete bargaining by June 26" (the beginning of the last pay period in June).  Negotiation sessions will be held June 2nd, 5th, 8th, 15th, 16th, 25th and 26".

Although we acknowledge the changed national economic environment since our bargaining in 2006, we remain focused on improving the standards of living and quality of life of our members employed at CNMC.

Our goal is to build upon the agreements we have reached with CNMC over the last three (3) contracts. We have again assembled a top notch bargaining committee which is representative of our various departments, shifts and interests.

Bargaining cannot be successful without your support, participation, and willingness to take action if necessary.

The first order of business is to display unity and a sense of purpose. This means (1) recognizing rumors and spreaders of rumors for who and what they are (2) being realistic in what is achievable during a period of economic decline (3) do not under value, under estimate or marginalize yourself, your co-workers or your Union (4) talking to members of your bargaining committee to be updated on our progress.  All Union and Management Proposals will be posted on this website. 

Your 2009 Bargaining Committee

In addition to SEIU Local 722 President Daniel Fields, Jr., and Treasurer/Business Manager Marchel Smiley, the committee is composed of:

Debra Davis (Surgical Posting)

Marshall Jackson (ER)

Gloria Bryant (PACU)

Karen Johnson (Surgical Care)

Linda Pearsall (Nutrition Services)

Carolyn Williams ( Respiratory)

Angela Shorter (Donor Center)

A listing of our initial proposals are listed on the reverse side for your records.