Local 5097 contract negotiations update, May 18
MEMBER UPDATE #2 – May 18, 2018
Our HPAE Local 5097 Bargaining Committee had our second negotiation meeting with management yesterday (5/17/18).
Management sent us a message with today’s proposals: they want to take away our hard-fought rights as union members.
On Union-Management Committees:
Management wants our staffing, health and safety and labor/management committees to be advisory only. These committees were designed to give employees a real voice in solve ongoing problems at Harborage. Management wants to weaken our voice.
On Staffing:
Our Union Committee Proposed: Staffing increases, specifically an additional housekeeper for each shift to establish day-watch positions so CNAs don’t have to be pulled from their scope of practice. Management has not responded yet to this proposal. Instead, management proposed that they no longer be obligated to fill any vacant housekeeping and laundry positions, which would open the door to major long-term staff shortages.
On Healthcare :
Management indicated their interest in standardizing their employee healthcare coverage across their system. We remain prepared to fight to ensure that this will not mean a negative impact for our members.
The next negotiating session will be May 21st. We must stay united and fight for the best possible contract for all our members in Hackensack Meridian Health. Be prepared to attend open negotiations in June to support our bargaining team.
JOIN THE FIGHT! Contract Action Team meeting:
Tuesday, May 29th – 1:30p, 4:30p, 7:30p
Homewood Suites (10 The Promenade, Edgewater)