Keck/Norris bargaining update #6 (April 1, 2021)
Published Thursday, April 1, 2021Dear NUHW Members,
We had our 6th negotiation session for our Keck / Norris contract. We did not reach an agreement on any articles today.
We proposed updated language on pandemic protections, economic support, PPE protections, extra PTO if we have to quarantine, enshrining many COVID safe practices already in effect and hazard pay for all NUHW members. They have still not responded to these very important health and safety items that hundreds of union members indicated were of critical importance in our bargaining surveys. The fact that the company cannot commit to many things that are already in place is very disappointing.
The employer is still proposing several items that we will not agree to:
- Ban on picketing and leafleting
- Limitations on release time for our shop stewards
- Language on workplace violence that decreases our job security
- Separating the different clinics and hospitals from each other into different bargaining units (this makes us much weaker)
- Disciplines only expire after 2 years not 1. (Company moved off their original position)
We are not interested in losing any of the standards we have fought to achieve in our contract. We know there are many areas we need to improve and we remain committed to restoring Norris Holiday Pay, increasing our pay scales in alignment with other top hospitals, and establishing strong health and safety protections for ourselves and our patients.
In the upcoming week, as a committee, we will begin to prepare our economic proposals and start to prepare for a potential strike, if the Hospital does not agree to our reasonable demands.
We will remain united and strong and are committed to bargaining in good faith. However we will be prepared to take action in order to achieve our most important goals.
In solidarity,
Brian Dodero
Respiratory Therapist, Keck