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OHSU-AFSCME collective bargaining enters week 15

Words "OHSU-AFSCME collective bargaining" across a blue and green image of Portland-area skyline.

The OHSU and AFSCME collective bargaining teams met on June 21 in their third agreed-upon mediation session, a routine part of collective bargaining where a neutral third party works with both teams to facilitate reaching an agreement. The teams focused on OHSU’s revamped economic package, along with AFSCME’s package on staffing and other counter-proposals (details in the sections below).

 

OHSU COUNTER-PROPOSALS:

In response to AFSCME’s feedback, OHSU untied many proposals within its economic package over the past three weeks, proposing them separately. The resulting revised OHSU economic package was then initially going to be presented during last week’s bargaining session. However, after the mediator shared feedback from the AFSCME team regarding economic issues, the OHSU team took the week to further refine and bolster the economic package. This package primarily includes a higher offer for the across-the-board increases, which are in addition to the increases employees will receive on their anniversaries. This economic package builds on the initial proposal detailed in week 10. Major changes to the economic package include:

  • 8.1 Across-the-board increases: OHSU is proposing across-the-board wage increases of 3.5% for year one of the contract, followed by 3% for each of the following two years. When combined with anniversary increases, this means most AFSCME-represented employees will receive between a 4.5% and 7.5% increase annually, depending on their quartile.
  • 10.5 Lead work: OHSU is proposing increasing the lead work differential minimum to $1.25/hour.

The OHSU team looks forward to continued engagement with AFSCME. It is the hope of the OHSU team that this refined proposal will help retain current employees, recruit new employees and better meet union members' needs within the financial reality of OHSU.

Additionally, the OHSU team responded to the following:

  • Items within Article 2 Union provisions: The team responded to language regarding exclusive representatives, access, release hours, activities and training.
  • 5.25 Reclassification: The OHSU team responded with current contract language.
  • 14.1.7 Pre-retirement counseling leave: The OHSU team expanded language on retirement eligibility, clarifying ages eligible for pre-retirement counseling leave.
  • 14.2.7 Catastrophic event/emergency leave: The OHSU response included language around appeals and limiting discipline for approved leave.
  • 22.3 Attendance at educational and training functions: OHSU responded regarding reimbursement for attendance at educational and training functions.

AFSME COUNTER PROPOSALS:

The AFSCME team counter-proposed with a staffing package — meaning no item can be agreed to individually, rather the whole package must be responded to — that included the following items:

  • 6.13 Contracting: The AFSCME team created a supplemental staffing subsection related to contracting.
  • 9.1.2 Overtime compensation: The language proposed here is related to the pay rate for mandatory overtime.
  • 9.1.4 Scheduling and assignment of overtime: The AFSCME counter-proposal includes language related to scheduling, offering overtime, mandatory overtime and ANI.
  • 10.UX7 Additional need incentive (ANI): The AFSCME team re-proposed their originally proposed language related to ANI.
  • 21.1 Reorganization: The AFSCME team responded to OHSU’s proposed changes related to the reorganization threshold and shift differentials.
  • 21.2 Reclassification: The AFSCME team responded with current contract language.
  • 21.3 Upward reclassification: The proposed language proposes a process for reclassification in departments.
  • MOU #UX12 Contracting out model: The AFSCME team withdrew the initial proposal.

The AFSCME team also proposed a package around call back that included the following items:

  • 9.2 Call back: The AFSCME team proposed a supplemental staffing subsection to address call back pay and call back compensation.
  • Letters of agreement on endoscopy unit call incentive and contiguous on-call premium for perioperative services: The AFSCME team rejected OHSU’s proposed Letters of Agreement.

Additionally, the AFSCME team submitted the following counter-proposals:

  • 7.6 Meal periods: The language in this section is related to ensuring the employers allow employees to take their breaks.
  • MOU EX1 Pandemic, state of emergency and disaster bargaining: AFSCME continues dialogue on this topic.

 

NEXT MEETING DATE:

The teams will next meet on June 28 in a regular collective bargaining session.

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