As Michigan Medicine management continues to drag its feet in responding to our fair and reasonable salary proposal, UMMAP bargainers attempted to move several proposals forward on Wednesday to get us closer to a finalized collective bargaining agreement.
We presented a series of counter proposals on items that were in the union’s court; almost all open contract items at this time are in management’s court, so they are responsible for presenting the next counter proposals in those areas. Management presented no proposals, and no tentative agreements were reached.
Areas where UMMAP presented counters: How HIPAA violations are considered; harassment protections for employees; childbirth leave rights; union activity; and attendance.
Our attendance proposal led to lengthy conversation with management. Among other protections, we are asking that members not be disciplined when they miss work due to an illness, and we are proposing that workers not have to punch into a time clock.
It became clear, unfortunately, that there are a number of members of management’s team that not only want time clocks kept, but want to expand them to more and more positions. While we agree that time keeping in some format is necessary for payroll purposes, punching a time card is not.
It’s clear that many in management don’t view us as responsible professionals, and only our collective power will keep them from expanding demeaning timekeeping practices.
NO BARGAINING NEXT WEEK
There will be no contract bargaining next week, as Labor Relations Director Hakim Berry is on vacation.
OBSERVE YOUR UNION BARGAINING SESSIONS
Normally, negotiations are every Wednesday from 9 to 5:30pm. UMMAP members are encouraged to come, observe the process and provide feedback to our Master Agreement. Follow this link: UMMAP Bargaining RSVP.
UMMAP members can also observe bargaining live on Zoom. Bargaining team members post the Zoom link and give up-to-date announcements in the UMMAP internal Facebook group about when actual negotiations will occur and be streamed. Go here to apply to join the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ummap.
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS:
- Worksite Leaflet action: To keep up the pressure on Michigan Medicine, we are organizing leaflet actions at a number of locations. Sign up here to participate in a scheduled leaflet action happening in the week of August 19th!
- 2024 UM Labor Fest: Members of all University of Michigan/Michigan Medicine unions will hold the annual Labor Day fest from 4-8 pm on Sept. 2 at Island Park (1420 Island Dr., Ann Arbor) There will be food, games, and solidarity, with the grill running from 4 to 6 pm. Click here to register for the event!
In Solidarity
UMMAP Executive Board
- Penni Toney (CT Technologist) – President
- Cheryl Bodmer (Surgical Technologist) – Vice President
- Amanda Mazzocco (CT Technologist) – Secretary
- Kate Robbins (Physical Therapist) – Treasurer
- Jennifer Kempfer (CT Technologist) – ADEPT Unit Chair
- Courtney Iwanicki (Registered Dietitian) – Behavioral Health Unit Chair
- Kelishia Burks (Medical Assistant Intermediate) – Medical Assistant Unit Chair
- Greg Mannarelli (Audiologist) – Rehabilitation Unit Chair
- Rodney Barber (Histotechnologist) – Laboratory Unit Chair
- Sarah Wilkin (Pharmacy Technician Intermediate) Hospital Services Unit Chair