11-16-09 KMC/SBBHC NEGOTIATING UPDATE

Your negotiating team is working on getting you a good and fair contract. Contrary to rumor, we have NOT submitted a 10-day strike notice. Before we do so, we will bring a final offer (if we do not agree with it), or a memo of understanding (if we do approve of it), to you for review before we do anything more.  We have scheduled a bargaining session for Wednesday. The last proposal by the Hospital is the same as the non-union:

1) Pension freeze and no 401k match for 2010, with no promise to reinstate in 2011 (only their so-called “intent” to do so.)

2) 2% raise (inclusive of the step) in August 2010, which means no wage increase since August 2008 and no additional increases for the term of the contract.

3) $500 check in January 2010, prorated for part-timers.

4) No raise and no bonus check at all for the per diems.  Nothing!

Last week, CEO of SBHCS, Ron Del Mauro, held a ‘town hall’ meeting for the employees. He was asked about the recent hiring of more administrative personnel, and he replied that “you need people to run the business,” but yet in contrast to hiring for better staffing levels he stated that we need “highest patient volume with the lowest amount of staff.”  So much for staffing for patient need. When asked about the payment to the government in 2010 for the Medicare fraud settlement, a figure we believe equals or exceeds the entire accrual for the pension in 2010 for all System employees, and the question why he did not ask the government for an extension of time to pay it in light of the System’s condition and the loss of pensions, he said he was not negotiating a contract and he joked that Uncle Sam was not going to give them a free ride. We do not view this as a laughing matter.  

An LPN asked Mr. Del Mauro why it is that nursing is always being cut amid concerns for patient safety; he told her she could always go work somewhere else!  That pretty much says it all!!

This is the type of employer you are working for. THIS IS WHY YOU NEED A UNION! At least we are concerned about your pension, benefits, and safe staffing for our patients.

We will keep you updated, stand strong and together.