Local 5107 UMC Union Negotiations Progress Report, January 5, 2025
Our Union Negotiation team has been negotiating with management for over a month, and we have made significant progress – but there is still a lot of work to do. Together, we’ll get it done!
Here is what we have tentatively agreed to so far:
- All-Per-diems are Covered by our Union Contract – no more exceptions.
- If another group of UMC RNs forms a union with HPAE, they are immediately included in our existing Contract.
- Clarifying Language in our Successorship clause – in case UMC ever sells a community or goes bankrupt.
- Clarifying language around transferring permanently/temporarily to another UMC Community
- The Cutoff between FT and PT is 32 Hours Per week.
- In layoffs of less than 50 employees, Laid-Off Employees are entitled to 1 week of severance for every year of service up to 8 weeks (NJ Law covers layoffs of 50 or more).
- Clearer language around disciplines
- Formally including the 15-day limit on issuing disciplines in our Contract.
- Guaranteeing that vesting in the retirement plan is 100% on day of hire.
- Management will reimburse for items damaged by residents (limited to things you’re supposed to have on duty).
- Management will replace broken safety devices (locks, etc.) promptly.
- RNs who work a 12-hour shift get an additional 15-minute paid break.
- Defined the annual tuition reimbursement as $1,500/yr for FT / $750/yr PT. Approval won’t be unreasonably denied.
Some of these are new benefits (like the additional 15-minute break for 12-hour shifts), some (like retirement plan vesting and severance) are current benefits we are protecting by writing into our contract, and some (like successorship) are protections that we hope we’ll never need, but are important to have.
We are still negotiating over forced shift changes, non-nursing duties, and management rights, as well as several minor items, and have yet to put forward our major economic proposals. We are doing it this way so that these small but important issues do not get pushed to the side when we discuss things like raises and staffing.
Our success at the bargaining table is 100% dependent on the support of you – the members. So please continue to take part in union activities, like our sticker days, as well as attend our open bargaining sessions when you are able.
Our Next Sessions are:
- January 6: https://aft.zoom.us/meeting/register/8c-zIDR3TieeSlSVWSNJMQ
- January 13: https://aft.zoom.us/meeting/register/gIVQynipRpex_FLLoYwsWg
- January 15: https://aft.zoom.us/meeting/register/larZCVaDSi2DwLlX9Y1q3g
In solidarity,
Your Local 5107 Bargaining Team;
Madelein Duran, Bristol Glen
Kelly Capaldi, Collingswood
Jackie Lesko, Collingswood
Jenn Miller, Pitman
Sharon Matteo, Pitman