Local 5030 PMC Member Bargaining Update, May 19

On May 19th, HMH gave us their final economic proposal. They want to freeze the pension for 169 members who have dedicated …. To PMC. Palisades has also proposed changes to medical benefits, allowing them to change the benefits at any time.

Last week we received their wage proposal after weeks of waiting. Palisades is proposing that all employees be moved to a merit-based system for determining annual increases. Currently, your annual increases are contractually negotiated at a fixed rate, which ensures that all employees receive a fair raise. The merit-based system ensures that only the highest scorers receive a full raise, with those employees receiving an overall rating of “3” barely receiving a raise at all. Remember a “3” is defined as a “valued employee” who performs all their job duties. The current evaluation system is also only 50% objective to your job duties with 50% of your overall score being subjectively assessed by your local leader. We believe that all employees are valued, and all deserve a good yearly raise.

We are asking for market rate adjustments for all employees, that all members be placed on the proper step of wage scale based on years of experience, across the board raises, Hero Pay, increase in shift diff, increase in on-call pay and increase in preceptor pay along with increase in Tuition Reimbursement.

The hospital is holding to their floating proposal which will allow nurses, PCTs and CNAs to be floated without districts and allow for the hospital to float regardless of years served in the hospital. Our proposal is to maintain floating districts and for Palisades to focus on staffing appropriately so that there is no need for floating.

Our contract is set to expire on May 31, 2021. If the employer refuses to compromise on these issues that are important to our members, we must voice our concerns to management and be prepared to fight by any means necessary. We are simply fighting for a contract that is fair for all employees especially after all that we have been through over the past year and a half.
We continue to press management on fair wages, Health and Safety and Staffing. Management continues to propose the floating of all RN’s, PCTs and CNA’s and to take away no weekends for members with 25 years seniority. The Union continues to reject this management proposal.

It is time for Palisades to step up and take care of the frontline workers who put everything on the line during this pandemic to take care of our patients. The contract expires on May 31 and we will keep you posted through members alerts, email and robo calls.

TAKE ACTION FOR A FAIR CONTRACT

• Speak with your Directors and the CNO and tell them you deserve a Fair Contract Now
• Wear your Fair Contract Now Stickers on Friday.

Zoom Union meeting May 26th at 8am/8pm
Meeting Access: Call 929 205 6099 Meeting ID: 981 6639 4291 Passcode: 579864
Check your email/text for Zoom link — All members are asked to identify themselves when joining the meeting.
Email Local50302@HPAE.org or call 973-832-0130 for the link.

Thank you for your support on the Strike Vote. We will continue to bargain in good faith, and it is our hope to reach a Fair Contract prior to May 31.