LABOR MANAGEMENT MEETING MINUTES

LABOR MANAGEMENT MEETING MINUTESFROM TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2009

Present for Management: Director Larry Phillips, Assistant Director Brian Thomas, and
Medical Director Michael Bednarz
Absent for Management: 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, Executive Board Travis Smith, Treasurer Jerry Markley, and Secretary Cynthia Dougherty
Absent for the Union: AFSCME Representative Chuck Stout

INFIRMARY/HCU Mr. Houzenga said the working beds, bedside tables, and lift equipment
are what we’re seriously looking at. A lot of other issues have been addressed or are being addressed. These are things that we believe nursing staff need with the long-term care in the Infirmary. Dr. Bednarz stated that we are working on trying to get our Infirmary more like a regular Infirmary where we can accommodate longer term. Beds - some are not electric, they are manual. There might be some small problems on the 2 electric ones. Maintenance will be looking at these. The lift is a different story due to the size of our residents. We need to have a lift that can accommodate up to 500 pounds, and it is very costly–over $3,000. We are ordering 2 tables. This information wasn’t brought to my attention or Ms. Mull’s attention. Mr. Houzenga stated that he found this out after the fact. Mr. Phillips said that this is a bad thing due to the budget. This morning in our meeting we did approve the tables to be ordered. We have been looking across the State for surplus items. Mr. Houzenga said that when have long term, it will save in the long run instead of having them at an outside hospital. Dr. Bednarz said that is our goal. Mr. Phillips said that we have come a long way. We will get there. Mr. Markley said that he thought we had some residents pushing that 500 pound mark. Dr. Bednarz said that we do, but that is as big as they come. We will have to look at other ways for those residents. Mr. Houzenga said, "Thank You." It is great to hear you are addressing this.

WHOM DOES MANAGEMENT APPROVE TO CONDUCT WRITTEN DOCUMENTED COUNSELING OF UNION STAFF Mr. Houzenga said that we have already addressed this situation. For Captains it has always been a part of their job description before they were in the Union. When counseling isn’t a discipline, but as a result of a disciplinary hearing, they might need to be done by someone else. We do support the Captains. Mr. B. Cooper said that there are counselings that are part of the disciplinary track that they prefer to be done by someone out of the Bargaining Unit. Mr. Phillips said that is a good point and that is probably something that fell through the cracks. Captains will still do the verbal. Mr. B. Cooper said that there is a little statement at the end of the memo being given. To me a counseling is you call me in and guide me in the right path. We are getting better. Mr. Phillips indicated that we are getting there, and we have talked about it. Mr. B. Cooper said that the Captains have to be reminded that the representation is a must for the counseling. Some have lost that. It has just come about again. Mr. Phillips said that somebody put this in writing over e-mail or bring by the office. I will be getting with all the Captains and II’s in the next 30 days to address some issues.

CAN WE INCREASE THE AWARENESS OF THE NEW INFORMATION BEING PROVIDED TO WRITS (GAS STATIONS & EMERGENCY #S) Mr. Houzenga said that due to the budget crisis, some gas stations do not accept the credit card. Could a list of those general accepting the card be placed in the writ vehicles and any emergency numbers needed. We didn’t know if this has been done, and staff don’t know where it’s located. Mr. Thomas said that it is always important to check before you pump the gas. Mr. Phillips encouraged everyone to check before they pump due to the budget situation. Mr. Houzenga asked about a general list of those that are still accepting the card. Ms. Clark said that way down south the gas stations there are gas stations I’ve never heard of before. Mr. Phillips said that he believes Casey’s is pretty safe. We will get a list together for a Briefing memo. Mr. Houzenga stated that they don’t need a list, just informed about the location of the list and the numbers.

THE UNION IS INTERESTED IN FINDING RELIEF TO SGT. CONSTRAINTS ON 2ND SHIFT Mr. Houzenga said that we have lost a lot of Sgts. lately. We need to fill some vacancies. Mr. Phillips said that is on the table. We are working on it. I don’t know where we are going to land, but we are working on it. Mr. Houzenga said that if we can’t fill, will it be overtime or temporary assignment? Mr. Phillips said that he is looking at several things. So, you are saying that the Union is in agreement with a TA as needed? The Union indicated they were in agreement. Mr. Phillips said that the rules have changed on TA’s. It has to be in writing and get extended if need be. Mr. Houzenga said that they are willing to work with Management.

THE UNION IS INTERESTED IN DISCUSSING A DAY TRADE PROGRAM Mr.
Houzenga said that Mr. Hankins is doing the time off for Security now, and people are getting denied. We got spoiled and are not used to that. There are people, however, that are always here that aren’t getting things they ask for. Could put different constraints on those people? Mr. Phillips indicated that he worked with this in Corrections, but it wasn’t called the same thing. Mr. B. Cooper wondered if it worked. Mr. Phillips said that it worked some days and didn’t work on other days. It is you on the books even though you’re not here, so you better hope that your trade shows up. I will discuss it with you. I put Mr. Hankins on this to try and keep people from going to Pre-D’s for time abuse. Our overtime is running about the same. The only thing I’ve cut is IV’s and above and non-security in order to leave overtime for the I’s and II’s. I talked with Mr. McAdory on the phone last night. I think we were allowing 8 people off if we didn’t have a heavy schedule. I need to look at that. Mr. Houzenga said that it will change from day to day. Mr. Phillips said that if your call-ins are low, things will change. Mr. Houzenga said that another thing we might be able to adjust is the time frame - right now 14 days is the cutoff to put in for a day off. If you put in farther in advance, Mr. Hankins is automatically denying the day. Some people need to plan and can’t wait until the last minute. Mr. Phillips indicated that this is something we can look at in the next 30 days. Get me a proposal before our next meeting, and I will take a look at it. Mr. B. Cooper said that he appreciates the fact that someone is keeping track as far as the Pre-D’s. Mr. Phillips stated that there was no ulterior motive. The Administrative Directive says that we have and the employee has responsibility for their time. I am not looking to get someone into trouble. It is going to get better. Mr. B. Cooper said that people are not used to the change. They are used to getting any day off that they want. Mr. Phillips indicated that a lot of them don’t have the time. Mr. B. Cooper said that some have never taken any time. Mr. Phillips wants to check on this. You are telling me something that I didn’t know. Mr. Houzenga said that we could put a day trade program in place that would benefit everyone. Mr. Phillips said that he is not totally against the program. It has a lot of cracks. It sounds good. How far in advance? Mr. B. Cooper indicated that right now 2 weeks is all they are looking at. Anything past that is denied. Then you get in the 24-hour period, and it is the Shift Commander’s responsibility. You might have someone who doesn’t have the time go ahead and ask for it, and get it approved. Someone that does have the time, goes with the original denial and doesn’t ask again. Mr. Hankins reviewing these has stopped a lot of problems that we had. Mr. Phillips said to let him get with Mr. Hankins. You also get me a proposal in writing, but I ask that you put in that the trade must be done within a 30-day time frame.

General Discussion
Mr. Houzenga brought up a clarification issue. A disciplinary result referred a staff member to EAP instead of PSP. Mr. Phillips said that he just recently went through training with Springfield on this very thing. Both PSP and EAP are available, but we are to offer both to the employee and let them decide which route they want to take. Mr. B. Cooper said that he things we have it covered with Mr. Winters, and it is not a grievable issue. We are fine with offering both. We just want to make sure that PSP is getting offered. Another concern was that this was just put in the employee’s mailbox. We feel he should’ve been called in and talked to. Mr. Phillips indicated that he likes to call people in and discuss. I plan to attend some Briefings in the next 60 days. Members are always welcome to come talk to me. We are going to try to step up our efforts. Ms. Clark stated that everyone appreciates that. Mr. Phillips said that we have nothing to hide. We sometimes send grievances up to a higher level to get clarification. Please pass on to your members that they are appreciated. There’ve been people that have had some cost-saving ideas. People do realize this is serious. I don’t know where it’s headed. The TDF budget proposal for 2010 looks okay. Our treatment numbers are good. I really appreciate the people who were involved at St. John’s. I hear about people being professional, and that makes a big difference.


The next Labor Management Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at 11A.