SBMC Bargaining Updates

The SBMC Bargaining Team met yesterday October 29, 2009 with management. Our talks covered a few topics, such as compensation for certification, Union leave and the no smoking issue, but we mainly focused on the layoff language.

You may be concerned as to the length of time spent on layoff language, but it is imperative that we get that proposal language as well as any other language, the best we can for NJNU members. For those of you that know how negotiations work and for those of you that aren’t sure how a day at the table goes, any language that could potentially go into the contract must be discussed, presented, reviewed, adjusted and reviewed again. Many hours are put into that process which can be repeated many times. That is for our protection. The time spent away from the bargaining table, can sometimes be as long as sitting at the table. The presentation of a proposal and the intention needs to be exact.

Today the team will be back in Newark again. We understand that you are all concerned as to the time frame of negotiations and where we stand currently. Please understand, we are and have been at the table every session putting in many hours for this contract. We will continue to meet with management until all topics are discussed completely and then we will call a meeting with you, the membership.

It appears we may be negotiating past the end date of our current contract. If that occurs, everything will remain the same. You will work under the current contract until further notice.

We understand how frustrated and anxious all of you may be. We are doing our best to bring you a fair contract. We will stay at the table and continue negotiating until we are satisfied that everything has been picked apart and fine tuned to the best of our ability.

Remember we all are a part of the NJNU “TEAM” because:

Your Bargaining Committee,

Maria Refinski, Janice Allen, Nancy Brady, Melissa Vitale, Diane Jacek,
Tracey Morales-Wright, Lisa Werdann and Tracey Coddington