Thursday, January 29, 2009
TDF Wexford Ratification
Our Wexford members at TDF unanimously voted to ratify their new contract today.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
January Labor Management
LABOR MANAGEMENT MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2009, AT 11A
Present for Management: Director Larry Phillips, Assistant Director Brian Thomas, Security
Director Eugene McAdory, Personnel Director Kendra Robeson, and Labor Relations Andrea Leake
Present for the Union: President Travis Houzenga, Vice President Amy Clark, Executive
Board Brian Cooper, and Executive Board Travis Smith
Absent for the Union: AFSCME Representative Chuck Stout, Secretary Terri Vaniter,
and Treasurer Jerry Markley
TV Mr. Houzenga said, "Thank you" for the TV. It is up there, and everything is working nicely. We got a shelf to place it on. Brian asked that if no one is in there, that it please be turned off.
In-House Postings Mr. Houzenga asked about the status of this? This is for better shifts and
days off. The Director stated that he has nothing further on this at this time.
Radio Traffic - Maintenance Mr. Houzenga asked about the status on
Maintenance radio
traffic. The Director stated that he is still working on this. We are looking at a couple of options. The problem is that they are probably going to have to go to the primary channel, then go to another channel. We need to get with Joe again. If you don’t monitor that channel, you will have to call out to Maintenance to leave a message. We will put a memo out when it is all lined out.
Supplemental Mr. Houzenga stated that he believes the Union is going to come up with
some proposals in the next couple of weeks. We will put them together, then they’ll have to go through the E-Board for approval. The Director indicated that we are waiting on our Labor, so you have some time on this.
Tardiness Mr. Houzenga said that the Union doesn’t approve of people being tardy, but there are legitimate excuses when a person is tardy, and they need to apply to everyone. People were given counselings on those heavy snow days or when they needed to jump start their car on those really cold days. We can win grievances on inclement weather. You also have an issue when a person car pools - some get a counseling, and others fly under the radar. The Director said, "They all come in at the same time and rode together, but not all of them are getting counselings?" Mr. McAdory stated that if four (4) people ride in a vehicle, the driver lets three (3) of them out at the door and parks or you have three (3) of them always at Briefing on time, and one (1) lagging behind. We are looking for consistency. Mr. Houzenga stated that they are looking for consistency also. Mr. McAdory said that in the Supplemental there is a 5-minute leeway - maybe there’s some confusion on that with some of the supervisors. Mr. Houzenga believes that you may receive a counseling after one (1) minute, then can proceed with disciplinary if tardy over 5 minutes after that. Mr. B. Cooper stated that you have someone who has never been late since starting here and gets a counseling for being 8 minutes late with a legitimate reason. I caused the guy to be late because he rides with me. I called in and turned in a slip and was covered. You know in Briefing who your issues are with–maybe some kind of leeway for those that you don’ t have a problem with. The Director stated that he will not stand for unequal treatment. I have got intentions of Briefing being your time in with a hard count sheet at Briefing. Mr. Houzenga said that they just want everyone to be treated the same. The Director said, "When weather is bad, I know how that is." We can work this out. I want this information brought to my attention right away to look at weather conditions or other emergencies. I want to work a little closer on that. I would rather them come in late and make it safely, than the alternative.
Staff status: early arrival & staying late Mr. Houzenga said that it has been brought to the
Union’s attention that employees are coming to work early and staying late, but not being on the clock. Mr. McAdory said that he has had people do this at his direction or the Director’s direction. These are things the Union is not aware of. I may activate Tarry Williams or Parsons. They were very helpful in locating the cell phones. If a person is running shift, they come in early to prep, so that is authorized. Mr. Houzenga asked how much time a Shift Commander is allowed. Mr. McAdory stated that they get 30 minutes. Mr. Houzenga said, "The ERT Team as needed?" Mr. McAdory said that the ERT Team varies depending on what is going on. Mr. Houzenga stated that they are in paid status when this happens, right? Mr. McAdory stated, "Yes." Mr. Houzenga said that a couple of concerns are for people not on paid status and working. We have established shifts for everyone here, and people ’s perception is that some are making their own schedules. Mr. McAdory said that this is going to continue because they don ’t know what is going on. I don’t know about anything outside of these 3 variances. Mr. B. Cooper said that there has been a question about the IV’s. Some of the IV’s are coming to me asking how overtime is equalized. Mr. McAdory asked, "On which issue?" Mr. B. Cooper said for the Shift Commander. Overtime is overtime - there are no special instances - it is overtime that should be offered. Mr. McAdory said that if you are assigned to run shift, you do the roster the day before and post it. Sometimes changes need to be made, so they come in early to make those changes (say an emergency medical, call ins, etc.) I don’t think there’s a need to equalize or contact people for that. Mr. B. Cooper said that he doesn’t know what is right or wrong, he just knows there’s a problem. Mr. McAdory said that he thinks it is good. You have people like D. Biermann who goes over the roster and comes in on a whim to make sure things are ready to go, and I believe we owe him that for what he does. Mr. B. Cooper said that he doesn’t think owing is how the contact is set up. Mr. McAdory said that he is open to suggestions. Mr. B. Cooper said that overtime is not an "Atta Boy". Mr. Houzenga said that maybe something needs to be put in the Supplemental. Mr. B. Cooper said that he understands that they need it, but I keep getting questions from other IV’s. Mr. McAdory once again said that he is open to suggestions. Mr. B. Cooper said that he would like it to be clear. The Director said, "Sure, and it should be."
Request list of mandatory posts for STAIs, IIs and IVs Mr. Houzenga said that part of the
reason why we are asking for supplemental issues is for mandatory overtime. There’ve been some special details going on lately. Mr. McAdory said that the main conflict with mandatory overtime - keep in mind that there are needs that arise every day. There are days when we may mandate beyond what is listed. I will get you a list of mandatory posts. Mr. Houzenga said that we didn’t have any problem with that if they aren’t sitting around doing nothing while they’re here. The Director said that he can agree with that. Mr. Houzenga asked about a Chief Steward getting a copy of the roster every day for the Union office. Mr. McAdory stated that he doesn’t agree, but it is the Director’s call. Mr. Houzenga asked what the issue is. Mr. McAdory said that the roster is posted. One reason we post it a day in advance is for people to prepare. There is no reason to go above and beyond what has been agreed to. Mr. Houzenga said that they want to have a file to reference. The main issue is overtime. We have members complaining that overtime is not being offered correctly, and the only way to check would be via the roster. This would be to quell the members and not have to file a grievance. Mr. McAdory said that he would like to get back to you on this. What you said now is more helpful. Mr. B. Cooper said that his only purpose is for the overtime. Mr. McAdory asked when he would be reviewing the roster. Mr. B. Cooper said that during his lunch probably. He personally doesn’t think that there is a big problem, but because overtime is offered on a weekly basis, people don’t feel they are being offered. I don’t have any way of explaining why that is. They just feel they are being cheated. If I had numbers (TO report), I could maybe answer some of their questions. Mr. McAdory said that it is already available, but no one picks it up. Mr. B. Cooper said that they will start doing that. Mr. McAdory said that he needs to think of a way that will benefit everyone. If you find a problem with the overtime, you will go to the Director instead of me. You and I can discuss rather than me hearing it from the Director. I don’t want to take away from people that are supposed to do the job because you found something. Mr. B. Cooper said that he has been looking for a way of solving this. We are working really hard to keep the grievances squelched. We don’t want silly grievances. I am trying to keep them down. Ms. Clark said that on the overtime you have a lot of assumers out there. If we could have something that shows that someone wasn’t skipped. Mr. B. Cooper said that telling them and showing them is 2 different things. I don’t want to grieve over something as simple as equalizing overtime. I want it to keep the complaints down. Ms. Clark said that she didn’t believe it was difficult to keep track of. The Director said that he wants this right so whatever we can do to work on this, we need to do it. Mr. B. Cooper said that a lot of people here don’t understand what equalizing overtime is. We are working on this, but it is a problem. The Director said that he doesn’t want any more overtime than we have to have.
Mr. Houzenga asked if Management had anything else. The Director said that as soon as we hear something from Labor on the Supplemental, I will let you know.
The next Labor Management Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at 11A.
______________________________________ __________________________________
Larry Phillips, Director Date Travis Houzenga, Union President Date
pam
cc: Those attending Those absent File
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2009, AT 11A
Present for Management: Director Larry Phillips, Assistant Director Brian Thomas, Security
Director Eugene McAdory, Personnel Director Kendra Robeson, and Labor Relations Andrea Leake
Present for the Union: President Travis Houzenga, Vice President Amy Clark, Executive
Board Brian Cooper, and Executive Board Travis Smith
Absent for the Union: AFSCME Representative Chuck Stout, Secretary Terri Vaniter,
and Treasurer Jerry Markley
TV Mr. Houzenga said, "Thank you" for the TV. It is up there, and everything is working nicely. We got a shelf to place it on. Brian asked that if no one is in there, that it please be turned off.
In-House Postings Mr. Houzenga asked about the status of this? This is for better shifts and
days off. The Director stated that he has nothing further on this at this time.
Radio Traffic - Maintenance Mr. Houzenga asked about the status on
Maintenance radio
traffic. The Director stated that he is still working on this. We are looking at a couple of options. The problem is that they are probably going to have to go to the primary channel, then go to another channel. We need to get with Joe again. If you don’t monitor that channel, you will have to call out to Maintenance to leave a message. We will put a memo out when it is all lined out.
Supplemental Mr. Houzenga stated that he believes the Union is going to come up with
some proposals in the next couple of weeks. We will put them together, then they’ll have to go through the E-Board for approval. The Director indicated that we are waiting on our Labor, so you have some time on this.
Tardiness Mr. Houzenga said that the Union doesn’t approve of people being tardy, but there are legitimate excuses when a person is tardy, and they need to apply to everyone. People were given counselings on those heavy snow days or when they needed to jump start their car on those really cold days. We can win grievances on inclement weather. You also have an issue when a person car pools - some get a counseling, and others fly under the radar. The Director said, "They all come in at the same time and rode together, but not all of them are getting counselings?" Mr. McAdory stated that if four (4) people ride in a vehicle, the driver lets three (3) of them out at the door and parks or you have three (3) of them always at Briefing on time, and one (1) lagging behind. We are looking for consistency. Mr. Houzenga stated that they are looking for consistency also. Mr. McAdory said that in the Supplemental there is a 5-minute leeway - maybe there’s some confusion on that with some of the supervisors. Mr. Houzenga believes that you may receive a counseling after one (1) minute, then can proceed with disciplinary if tardy over 5 minutes after that. Mr. B. Cooper stated that you have someone who has never been late since starting here and gets a counseling for being 8 minutes late with a legitimate reason. I caused the guy to be late because he rides with me. I called in and turned in a slip and was covered. You know in Briefing who your issues are with–maybe some kind of leeway for those that you don’ t have a problem with. The Director stated that he will not stand for unequal treatment. I have got intentions of Briefing being your time in with a hard count sheet at Briefing. Mr. Houzenga said that they just want everyone to be treated the same. The Director said, "When weather is bad, I know how that is." We can work this out. I want this information brought to my attention right away to look at weather conditions or other emergencies. I want to work a little closer on that. I would rather them come in late and make it safely, than the alternative.
Staff status: early arrival & staying late Mr. Houzenga said that it has been brought to the
Union’s attention that employees are coming to work early and staying late, but not being on the clock. Mr. McAdory said that he has had people do this at his direction or the Director’s direction. These are things the Union is not aware of. I may activate Tarry Williams or Parsons. They were very helpful in locating the cell phones. If a person is running shift, they come in early to prep, so that is authorized. Mr. Houzenga asked how much time a Shift Commander is allowed. Mr. McAdory stated that they get 30 minutes. Mr. Houzenga said, "The ERT Team as needed?" Mr. McAdory said that the ERT Team varies depending on what is going on. Mr. Houzenga stated that they are in paid status when this happens, right? Mr. McAdory stated, "Yes." Mr. Houzenga said that a couple of concerns are for people not on paid status and working. We have established shifts for everyone here, and people ’s perception is that some are making their own schedules. Mr. McAdory said that this is going to continue because they don ’t know what is going on. I don’t know about anything outside of these 3 variances. Mr. B. Cooper said that there has been a question about the IV’s. Some of the IV’s are coming to me asking how overtime is equalized. Mr. McAdory asked, "On which issue?" Mr. B. Cooper said for the Shift Commander. Overtime is overtime - there are no special instances - it is overtime that should be offered. Mr. McAdory said that if you are assigned to run shift, you do the roster the day before and post it. Sometimes changes need to be made, so they come in early to make those changes (say an emergency medical, call ins, etc.) I don’t think there’s a need to equalize or contact people for that. Mr. B. Cooper said that he doesn’t know what is right or wrong, he just knows there’s a problem. Mr. McAdory said that he thinks it is good. You have people like D. Biermann who goes over the roster and comes in on a whim to make sure things are ready to go, and I believe we owe him that for what he does. Mr. B. Cooper said that he doesn’t think owing is how the contact is set up. Mr. McAdory said that he is open to suggestions. Mr. B. Cooper said that overtime is not an "Atta Boy". Mr. Houzenga said that maybe something needs to be put in the Supplemental. Mr. B. Cooper said that he understands that they need it, but I keep getting questions from other IV’s. Mr. McAdory once again said that he is open to suggestions. Mr. B. Cooper said that he would like it to be clear. The Director said, "Sure, and it should be."
Request list of mandatory posts for STAIs, IIs and IVs Mr. Houzenga said that part of the
reason why we are asking for supplemental issues is for mandatory overtime. There’ve been some special details going on lately. Mr. McAdory said that the main conflict with mandatory overtime - keep in mind that there are needs that arise every day. There are days when we may mandate beyond what is listed. I will get you a list of mandatory posts. Mr. Houzenga said that we didn’t have any problem with that if they aren’t sitting around doing nothing while they’re here. The Director said that he can agree with that. Mr. Houzenga asked about a Chief Steward getting a copy of the roster every day for the Union office. Mr. McAdory stated that he doesn’t agree, but it is the Director’s call. Mr. Houzenga asked what the issue is. Mr. McAdory said that the roster is posted. One reason we post it a day in advance is for people to prepare. There is no reason to go above and beyond what has been agreed to. Mr. Houzenga said that they want to have a file to reference. The main issue is overtime. We have members complaining that overtime is not being offered correctly, and the only way to check would be via the roster. This would be to quell the members and not have to file a grievance. Mr. McAdory said that he would like to get back to you on this. What you said now is more helpful. Mr. B. Cooper said that his only purpose is for the overtime. Mr. McAdory asked when he would be reviewing the roster. Mr. B. Cooper said that during his lunch probably. He personally doesn’t think that there is a big problem, but because overtime is offered on a weekly basis, people don’t feel they are being offered. I don’t have any way of explaining why that is. They just feel they are being cheated. If I had numbers (TO report), I could maybe answer some of their questions. Mr. McAdory said that it is already available, but no one picks it up. Mr. B. Cooper said that they will start doing that. Mr. McAdory said that he needs to think of a way that will benefit everyone. If you find a problem with the overtime, you will go to the Director instead of me. You and I can discuss rather than me hearing it from the Director. I don’t want to take away from people that are supposed to do the job because you found something. Mr. B. Cooper said that he has been looking for a way of solving this. We are working really hard to keep the grievances squelched. We don’t want silly grievances. I am trying to keep them down. Ms. Clark said that on the overtime you have a lot of assumers out there. If we could have something that shows that someone wasn’t skipped. Mr. B. Cooper said that telling them and showing them is 2 different things. I don’t want to grieve over something as simple as equalizing overtime. I want it to keep the complaints down. Ms. Clark said that she didn’t believe it was difficult to keep track of. The Director said that he wants this right so whatever we can do to work on this, we need to do it. Mr. B. Cooper said that a lot of people here don’t understand what equalizing overtime is. We are working on this, but it is a problem. The Director said that he doesn’t want any more overtime than we have to have.
Mr. Houzenga asked if Management had anything else. The Director said that as soon as we hear something from Labor on the Supplemental, I will let you know.
The next Labor Management Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at 11A.
______________________________________ __________________________________
Larry Phillips, Director Date Travis Houzenga, Union President Date
pam
cc: Those attending Those absent File
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Wexford Contract
Our healthcare unit has a tentative contract. Contract ratification will take place on January 29th.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
PSA opt. 6
Council 31 reports that the state has agreed to apply the provisions of the Master Contract RC-63 to Option 6 employeess effective 12/31/2008. Their pay grade is being negotiated.
PSP Program
Need help? Contact the Personal Support Program. 1-800-647-8776 or online at www.afscme31.org
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Wexford Contract Negotiations
Our Wexford members have been having a tough run at contract negotiations. They are currently with a proposal that is substandard compared to a contract that has been negotiated with HPL for the same services. Today a strike vote was taken at TDF that overwhelmingly gives the bargaining committee the support it needs to put more pressure on the employer (Wexford).
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