Specials Coalition Bargaining Update 6/17/2011

We reached a Tentative Agreement on our Contract!

Here are some of the highlights from our last bargaining session;

It was the Unions turn to give management our proposals. We gave them all of our proposals in a package.

Article 90.5 – Work schedules. We advanced this article for all Special Coalition Agency employees to be able to “flex” their schedules.

Article 15.5H DOJ – Transit Subsidy. Union made attempts to advance the length of the subsidy for employees who are currently receiving this. Management was clearly not going to budge on anything beyond this current year, ending in December 2011. We reached agreement to continue the transit subsidy until December , 2011 and then employees may do a pre-tax deduction for their passes beginning in January 2012.

Article 122.5 – DAS Tool Allowance. Union agreed to accept Management’s proposal which is a Letter of Agreement. It state’s that there will be an assessment and determination whether or not journey level employees need to wear protective footwear. If so, then DAS will provide the protective footwear.

Article 90.5W – Board of Nursing. We agreed to a Letter of Agreement that allows employees who miss their lunch periods to count it as time worked and leave early with prior approval from their supervisor. In the event the employee knows in advance they will be working over their current work schedule they can flex their time to maintain their “40″ hour work week.

Article 15.5S – BOLI trimet passes. Union agreed to withdraw this article.

Article 32.5H – DOJ Overtime, (mandatory vs. voluntary), we agreed to a joint training in a Letter of Agreement to clarify the issue as well as educate employees.

Article 90.5 DAS – Work Schedules. We reached an agreement on solving the problem some of our DAS custodians face when there is an assignment change or an Agency closure by adding language that limits the change of location to 5 miles. We also added language that allows employees who desire to bid on a shift, that DAS will  look at seniority in addition to skill level and the operational needs.

We wish to thank all the bargaining delegates who came and spent many long hours after work to solve some of their Agency problems through new contract language. They were very successful in advancing contract language.

Many thanks to Co – Chairs Rob Sisk & Keary Debeck and to the delegates;  Paula Allen, Dave Bolton, Charoltte Brown, Claudia Marthaller, Trish Lutgen, Mary Stewart, Ann Reed, Craig Kohanek, Marc Norton, Peter Nielsen, Vicki Palmer, Allen Schweigert, Rose Kacchadoorian, Carly Taylor, Steve Riley, and Kathellen Lamar. Lynn Martin and Eugene Newbill also came to show their support. Vicki Palmer did an outstanding job of taking notes – thank you Vicki.

Now it’s time to really focus your time and energy on getting a good contract at the Central Table. Please wear purple on Tuesday and rally your agencies!!!!!