September 3 - Common Table Bargaining Update

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Major Outstanding Items

Agreement, Agreement MOU, and Duration	Very far apart. Catholic Health has made it clear they want to move away from the 2016 MOU to bargain language together and they refuse to give us an official response on expiration dates.
Bonus Pay	We have a very substantial proposal on bonus pay and Catholic Health has proposed a much lower amount of pay.
Health Insurance	Catholic Health has proposed to decrease the Hospital contribution to 70% for single and family full-time and to 50% for part-time employees. Catholic Health is also proposing to mandate all employees go into a high deductible plan effective 1/1/2023.
Merger/Consolidation	We want a negotiated process for how Merger/Consolidation issues will be handled between the sites. Due to the significant changes in healthcare happening on a regular basis, this is very important to have a clear process.
Overtime	The Hospital is proposing mandatory overtime for Service, Clerical and Technical. The Union withdrew our proposal on daily overtime in order to focus the resources on Bonus Pay.
Paid Time Off (PTO)	The Union is proposing standardized PTO across all sites. Catholic Health’s proposal would be a decrease in days for employees at Mercy.
Pandemic	CWA has proposed a comprehensive Pandemic proposal and Catholic Health has rejected our proposal.
Pension & Tax-Sheltered Annuity (403(b))	Catholic Health is proposing to freeze the pension plans and implement the following: Effective 1/1/2022, all active eligible employees will receive a contribution of 3% of their pay into the Catholic Health sponsored 403(b) plan. Effective 1/1/2022, all active eligible employees will receive a matching contribution of 50% of the first 6% contributed to the Catholic Health 403(b0) plan upon completion of the plan year and eligibility requirements. In addition, they have not made commitments on funding the pension plans.
Prescription	Catholic Health continues to propose significant increases to the prescriptions co-pays.
Salaries	Catholic Health has finally responded to our proposal on the Technical, Clerical and Service wages scales. Their proposal red circles 367 employees in the first year of the contract. They are proposing a 1% increase in a second, third and fourth year. It is not clear based upon their proposal if Catholic Health has agreed to any of our upgrade proposals.
Staffing	The Hospital has rejected our staffing proposal which includes staffing ratios and a clear commitment on how units and job titles will be staffed. They have made no staffing proposal in response to our proposal. The Hospital has proposed retention and recruitment bonus for night shift float pool RNs, NAs and ITAs only.

Additional Outstanding Articles

Attendance & Tardiness	Union proposing to standardize language across all sites.
Contracting Out	We are proposing improvements including that Catholic Health will not contract out Environmental Services.
Dental	Employer proposes decrease in restorative oral surgery from 75% to 50%.
Disability & Workers Compensation	Attempting to standardize for all sites. Catholic Health wants to decrease the amount of time you carry health insurance while disabled for most employees.
Extended Sick Leave	Outstanding issue related to the two separate frozen ESL bank and SLP bank and utilization of the frozen bank.
Hospital Discounts	Catholic Health wants to decrease the ER discount to 50% up to a discounted max of $25.
Job Descriptions	We're trying to work to get to one set of job qualifications for each job description. We are also working to create career paths so that employees can advance in their careers in the Hospital.
Labor Management Initiative	Close to an agreement with minimal changes.
Leave of Absence	On hold due to language about pension credit during leave of absence.
Management Rights	Union proposal clarifying the Union’s right to bargain over changes.
Organizing Agreement	We have proposed the ability to organize other Catholic Health employees without interference from Catholic Health. This is especially important as Catholic Health moves our work to places like the contact center.
Preceptor (RN, Technical and Service and Clerical)	Employer wants to require employees to precept if there are no volunteers.
Transitional Duty	Close to an agreement. Issue regarding language about ESB.
Weather Emergency/Emergency Closure	We proposed language that would deal with when there is a declared weather emergency or state of emergency. People will be able to take PTO or excused absence without pay in a weather emergency. We are proposing double time for all employees during Erie County declared weather emergency.

Agreement in Principle or Tentative Agreement

Agency	Hospital can't utilize agency unless a bonus has been implemented. Agency have to work hours and shift of posted positions. Hospital will now be required to plan for short term occurrences.
Access to Hospital-Union Representatives	In agreement with minor changes.
Bargaining Unit Work	In agreement with minor changes.
Bereavement Leave	In agreement, clarification is that the 3 scheduled workdays can be extended to include the funeral or memorial service.
Bulletin Boards	In agreement with minor changes.
Corrective Action	In agreement. Clarified issue with shift differential while an employee is on paid administrative leave.
Dues Deduction	In agreement with minor changes.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)	In agreement with minor changes.
Family Medical Leave Act	New article, separated from LOA, in line with the law.
Grievance Procedure	In agreement with minor changes.
Jury Duty	In agreement, a number of changes made, primarily to clarify jury duty on evening and night shift.
Life Insurance	In agreement with minor changes
Long Term Disability Insurance	In agreement with minor changes.
Military	In agreement with minor changes.
Mini-Arbitration Procedure	In agreement to delete.
New York State Paid Family Leave	New Article, in line with the law
Non-Discrimination	In agreement with minor changes.
No Strike No Lockout	In agreement with minor changes. Reminder: This only goes into effect when we have a ratified contract!
Personnel Files	In agreement with minor changes.
Political Action Fund (PAF)	In agreement with minor changes.
Probationary Period	In agreement with minor changes.
Responsible Union Employer Relationship	In agreement with minor changes.
Savings Clause	In agreement, minor changes.
Seasonal Employees	In agreement.
Students	In agreement, minor changes.
Subpoenaed Employees	In agreement with minor changes.
Travel	In agreement, minor changes.
Tuition & Enhanced Tuition	In agreement, modified language to include a clear application and approval process.
Union Membership	In agreement.
Union Printing	In agreement, minor changes.