April 2, 2008

After three bargaining sessions with The Doctors Clinic, we have exchanged proposals with the employer, offered a few counter-proposals — and we are miles apart, especially on wages.

In bargaining surveys, proposal meetings, and other feedback from the clinics, union members have clearly stated that the top priority this year is raising wages to be more in line with union standards for our area. This is exactly what we have proposed; the catch is that The Doctors Clinic seems to have a narrower view of the market than we do.

A world of difference on wages

We think the most reasonable approach is to compare our wages with wages at other stand-alone clinics in the Puget Sound region. Management has a different opinion. They think that the market to look at should be limited just to small clinics in the Kitsap County area.

When we bargain with Harrison, they agree that they need to pay wages competitive with the Puget Sound market –– why should The Doctors Clinic be any different?

Our proposal would ensure wages for all classifications at The Doctors Clinic become competitive with the ­larger market. For jobs that are currently paying a wage that is already comparable to the market, we have proposed a 4% increase at ratification. For classifications where wages have fallen far behind, we proposed larger increases up to 15% to make up the difference.

Management has proposed 3% increases for RNs, and just 2% for everyone else. Below is a sampling of the wage rates Management proposed, compared to the market rates the Union is proposing:

In addition to these increases, we have also proposed to add steps to the top of the wage scale to better reward long-term employees. Finally, our wage proposal includes a 3.5% increase next year, and another 3.5% in 2010.

All these increases would come in addition to the anniversary step increases you receive as you move up the wage scale.

Holding down health care costs

Health benefits simply cost too much at The Doctors Clinic. We have proposed to lower costs in three ways.

• We proposed that employees will not pay any co-pay, co-insurance, or deductibles for work performed at The Doctors Clinic.
• We also proposed that employees with 3 or more years of service at the Clinics receive an amount equal to the employee and child premium (currently $177.04) to be used for dependent medical coverage.
• Finally, we want the right to bargain over any changes to the benefit plans.

The Doctors Clinic has yet to respond to our proposals on health benefits.

Management taking an anti-union line?

Management seems to be taking an anti-union line by making a series of petty and disrespectful proposals. Their anti-union proposals include:

• Suggesting we need to remove the Union information sheet from your contract.
• Not agreeing to deduct initiation fees like they deduct monthly dues.
• Insisting that Union staff get approval from Management every time they want to enter a clinic to talk to member.
• Not allowing union members to make voluntary contributions to our political action fund through payroll deduction.

By itself, no one of these is the biggest issue we’re dealing with. But when you add them together, you get a picture of an employer that’s not showing respect for their employees’ choice of representative.

Maybe this is the same mindset that lets them think they can get away with offering below‑market wages and no dependent medical coverage.

What’s Next

As you can see, Management’s proposals have left us far apart on wages, benefits, and other issues.

To make sure everyone is well-informed about what’s happening in negotiations, we have scheduled union update meetings after work next week, on April 8, 9, and 10.

Union Negotiations Director David Fleishman will join other members of the bargaining team to discuss where we stand and what our next steps could be. See the box on the front of this flyer for details about the time and location of these meetings.

In the meantime, show your solidarity by wearing your union button. Our next session is scheduled for April 15th, and we’ll keep you posted as negotiations continue. If you have any questions, speak to a member of the union bargaining team, or call Union Representative Cathy MacPhail at 1-800-732-1188, ext. 6627.

Your Union Bargaining Team:

Mike Arau, Ortho Tech, Salmon Center
Beverly Babbitt, MA, E. Bremerton
Andie Bordner, MA, Port Orchard & E. Bremerton
Terri Dumont, MA, Silverdale
Sandy Finnerty, RN, E. Bremerton
Carolee Flaten, RN, PromptCare
Heather Keller, RN, Women and Children
Laura Litland, Surg Tech, Salmon Center
Melissa Mosher, RN, Salmon Center
Shelley McInnis, MA, Poulsbo
David Fleishman, Union Negotiations Director
Cathy MacPhail, Union Representative