May 15, 2009
HPD Bargaining Update: Towards a fair settlement
Your bargaining team met last week with representatives of
the Participating Hospitals’ team and made clear that while we are confident
about going to arbitration, we continue to be willing to negotiate a fair
settlement.
This is a vital round for our professions. It is essential
that we keep in step with wage increases of other health care
professionals. Retention and recruitment are also crucial as we struggle to
meet the increasing demand for our services.
Besides wages, we must see improvements to contract language
that address contracting out and staff transferred to other bargaining units
and to agencies outside of the hospital. These improvements are necessary
protections for our members and essential for quality health care.
We are also looking for improvements to our premiums,
vacations and our health and welfare benefits. Our work is demanding. We
pay a physical, emotional and social price for it and we deserve fair
compensation, including a benefit plan that meets the cost of treatment.
The Hospitals’ proposals are an attack on our collective
agreement. It can be summarized in one word – concessions: Concessions in
sick leave, in benefits, in lieu time for part-time employees and in our
call-back language. They want even more discretion over determining hours of
work.
Most worrisome, they are offering a negligible wage
increase.
We reject the Hospitals’ position on these issues. Even
though hospitals are running operating deficits, they managed to reach wage
settlements with doctors and nurses at levels that they now say are too
expensive for our members. Those settlements were reached without the types
of concessions they now demand from us – and with language that improves
staff retention rates.
Your team is working with our OPSEU research staff to ensure
we have the best arbitration brief possible. We are counting on you for
support. Information on mobilizing will be distributed soon.
"Hospital
Professionals At the Table" Index
