The Union was recently informed that management in Home Care met with the staff to discuss day-to-day operational changes, education, etc. These are not unusual meetings for management to have with staff. However, there were a few topics brought up by management that are categorically incorrect.
First, it is our understanding that management accused the Union of not agreeing to an “on-call” nurse position. This is not true. In fact, during negotiations last year, the Union proposed a salaried on-call position in Home Care. That proposal was rejected by the Management, even though both sides agreed that on-call was an issue that needed to be addressed.
In the last several months, management approached the Union about creating the SAME salaried on-call position that the Union initially proposed at negotiations. Upon polling our members, the Union posed several questions and concerns to management including the number of hours being "on-call”. Management decided not to continue discussions on the position.
Secondly, management stated that the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) does not allow for bonuses or hiring incentives. Once again, WRONG! There IS language in your contract that allows for bonuses-namely critical shift bonuses in Article 43 Wages (Page 98 Section 43.11 of your Union Contract). However, in discussions with management, they did not want to extend contractual bonuses to Home Care -in spite of the Union insisting on such.
As for the hire-in incentive, the Union’s response to management’s proposal was to provide a retention bonus to the current members in relation to any hire-in bonus. Needless to say, management rejected this response.
