Negotiations Update #8 (Monday, September 1, 2008)

This message is intended for members of the University of Michigan Professional Nurse Council, the union of the 3,800 RN's employed at the University.

On this Labor Day, your Association Negotiation Team is pleased to announce a Tentative Agreement (TA) was reached with the University Saturday morning, August 30, 2008, after 24 hours of bargaining.

In regard to the ratification process, there will be several days of presentations so that members can review the contents of the TA and make an informed decision on its merits. Members will have the opportunity to vote any day when these presentations occur.

We are in the process of securing large venues such as Ford Auditorium and the Maternal-Child Heath Center so that members can participate in the ratification process. Once these locations have been secured, we will inform you of locations, dates, and times.

The Association began bargaining with the employer at the beginning of the year to meet members economic, professional, and practice needs. Your union appreciates your patience over these past months. During this period before the actual presentations of the TA, so that members can be informed in a uniform and accurate manner, there will be no communications about the TA's contents.

I want to express a deep thanks to the entire union First Table for their dedication in achieving this Tentative Agreement. Those members are: Stephanie Minerath, Vice Chair; Fred Vocino, MNA Labor Rep; Marietta Brooks, Continuity of Care; Felicia Kieme, OR/Procedure Area; Mary Lenewski, Adult Acute Care; Suzanne Lewis, Advanced Practice; Sue Nehring, Ambulatory Care; Katie Oppenheim, Peds, Perinatal, Psych; and Theresa Thompson, Adult ICU.

Also, thank you to members Karen Sipos (Main PACU) and Bob Remenapp (PICU) for their quality work on the joint Data Team on behalf of our members. Their work was also fundamental in gaining a TA.

Only the best to you and yours on this holiday

If you have the need to reply to this communication, please do so via replying to: jarmelag@umich.edu

John Armelagos,
UMPNC Chair

Negotiations Update #7 (Tuesday, June 10, 2008)

The First Table Negotiations Team lead by John Armelagos shared information about the current status of negotiations. The first items to be discussed were the negotiations calendar and timeline. Negotiations has not yet reached the point where a Tentative Agreement can be presented to the membership. There are many compelling and important issues on the table that require careful attention, therefore negotiations is expected to go beyond June 30th. Negotiation dates have been scheduled through to August 1. To view the dates June - August 1, please see the UMPNC newsletter or calendar on the UMPNC website.

The UMPNC negotiators wanted to highlight to the membership that they are focused on delivering a TA that will meet the membership's needs. Additionally, John, Fred and Suzanne addressed a question posed about the possibility of starting the negotiation process earlier to meet the expiration date of the current contract. John and Fred explained that historically contract negotiations across all sectors exceed the planned timeline. Suzanne spoke to the practicalities of data collected too early in the process. It has been observed in previous negotiations that data collected too early is unlikely to meet the needs of the contract. There is an optimal window for data collection and decision making.

One of the most important issues of these negotiations is Compensation. Approximately 50 options have been created to address the membership's concerns and needs regarding Compensation. John provided an overview of the option generation process, but specific options cannot be shared at this time.

To speak to some of the current challenges in our Nursing profession and to those issues being discussed at the negotiations table, John Armelagos presented the Key Findings of a recent report 'Solving the Nursing Shortage through Higher Wages'. This report is published by The Institute of Women's Policy Research and a copy can be located on the web at http://www.iwpr.org/pdf/C363.pdf.

• Staffing ratios, their calculation and measure of acuity.
• The ongoing issue of retaining graduate nurses at the UM during their first 2 years of employment and the increasing concerns of retaining nurses that are close to retirement.
• Workload Review Committees.
• Inadequate staffing levels in specialty Ambulatory Care clinics that contribute to unsafe practice situations and the lack of response by management to increase staffing to deliver safe, quality patient care.
• Institution to institution competition for patients and nurses.
• UM growth and investment strategy.
• Negative impact of the media portraying to the nation the down turn of the economic climate in Southeast Michigan.
• Hearing the concerns of level E night shift nurses applying in Framework and expected to meet the requirement of participating in committees that occur during the day shift. Stephanie Minerath indicated that Framework has yet to be discussed at negotiations and was very glad that this issue was shared at the meeting.
• Education/Tuition reimbursement - yet to be discussed at negotiations.

Further discussion concerned labor markets, and the importance of local, regional, and national markets. One member shared and distributed details of the economic rewards of an agreement at Dana Farber in Boston this past year.

Recently, Ambulatory Care nurses prevailed on a clinical practice issue in which Medical Assistants were to be trained to give intragluteal IM injections, a skill with potential for harm if not performed knowledgably by an RN. They worked through a problem solving process involving UMPNC representation and MNA assistance. The matter was brought to a satisfactory conclusion.

Finally, all members are encouraged to notify the UMPNC Leadership Team of concerns on their units, it is imperative that these issues are shared with the Leadership Team so they have an opportunity to share and address member's concerns during negotiations.

General Membership Meeting Report (Tuesday, June 10, 2008)

The meeting was called to order at 5:05 PM by John Armelagos, Chair. Present for the UMPNC Leadership Team were Stephanie Minerath, Vice Chair; Robbi Duda, Treasurer; Lisa Sylvest, Secretary; Mary Lenewski, Area Rep, UH & CVC Acute Care; Katie Oppenheim, Area Rep, PPP; Theresa Thompson, Area Rep, Adult ICU: UH and CVC; Suzanne Lewis, Area Rep, Advanced Practice; Sue Nehring, Area Rep, Ambulatory Care; Marietta Brooks, Area Rep, Continuity of Care; Felicia Kieme, Area Rep, Operating Rooms and Procedure Units; Brandi Hess, District Rep, Operating Rooms and Procedure Units; Margaret Moscheck, District Rep, Adult ICU: UH and CVC; Brad Packard, District Rep, PPP; and Fred Vocino, MNA Labor Rep.

Minutes from the April 22, 2008 GMM

Announcements:
Negotiation Team Updates
John Karebian, MNA Executive Director of Labor and Government Relations has recently replaced Jessica Salazar, MNA Labor Relations Representative on the UMPNC Negotiations Team. Jessica is absent due to an earlier than expected maternity leave.

UMPNC Newsletter
The second quarterly newsletter of 2008 was distributed to the meeting attendees. The newsletter will be posted on the UMPNC website.

Delegation to ANA
Lisa Sylvest provided a brief overview of the upcoming ANA 2008 House of Delegates meeting, taking place June 25 - 27, at the Washington Hilton and Towers, Washington DC. There are proposed Bylaws changes that would have a significant impact on UAN. Lisa identified the UMPNC delegates that will be attending the meeting: Lisa, Vic Hola and Jeffery Wesley, who were present. Renee Curtis is also a delegate. John Armelagos, who is also the MNA Secretary, stated that the MNA BOD will be monitoring what occurs at the ANA HOD. There was previous discussion of this at the MNA special HOD held April 13, 2008.

UAN Special NLA
There will be a special National Labor Assembly in Chicago, September 2008. John Armelagos, Stephanie Minerath, and Katie Oppenheim are MNA elected delegates to the NLA. Additionally, the Labor Leader Institute will take place following the NLA.

UMPNC Elections
UMPNC elections are held every three years. John provided an overview of the positions, timeline and process and encouraged participation in the democratic process. Sandy Raymond, RN; UMPNC Nominations Committee will be contacting the membership through the All-Nurse E-mail distribution and everyone is encouraged to look out for these important communications. Please see the June 2008 issue of the UMPNC Newsletter for Sandy's article: Building Leadership through Action.

The meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM.

Stephanie Minerath, Recorder
Lisa S. Sylvest, Secretary
The next GMM: TBD

Negotiations Update #6 (Tuesday, April 22, 2008)

John Armelagos shared the status of negotiations. The teams have begun the work of option generation on the agreed upon issues. The first such issue was Holidays, and the second issue is Unanticipated Absences. John shared aspects of the market survey, and described the apparent problem with nursing wage suppression in the context of supply: demand and the impending nursing shortage. Members expressed concerns around short staffing and need for improved pay, including steps. Retirement and Health Care costs were also discussed.

General Membership Meeting Report (Tuesday, April 22, 2008)

The meeting was called to order at 6:05 PM by John Armelagos, Chair. Present for the bargaining team were Stephanie Minerath, Vice Chair; Mary Lenewski, Area Rep, Adult Acute Care; Katie Oppenheim, Area Rep, PPP; Brad Packard, District Rep, PPP; Theresa Thompson, Area Rep, Adult ICU: UH and CVC; and Fred Vocino, MNA Labor Rep. Also from the MNA: John Karebian, Executive Director of Labor and Government Relations; and Ken Fletcher, Director or Government Affairs

Attendees were directed to the UMPNC website to review minutes from the March Meeting. Additional GMM minutes, negotiations updates, and other communications are included on the website: www.umpnc.org. Members are encouraged to check in often. John reminded everyone that there will also be joint communications from the University and UMPNC teams sent to ALL NURSE via email.

Announcements:
Women's Expo
The women's Expo is being held May 1-4th in Novi, and on May 1st there will be several presentations done by the MNA, including one on Lateral Violence in the Workplace featuring UMHS nurse practitioner, Michelle Fitzpatrick.

UMPNC Newsletters and Buttons
Newsletters are published on a quarterly basis. All are encouraged to support our union during these negotiations by wearing a button at work.

MNA's Legislative Issues for 2008

Safe Patient Care
Ken Fletcher, Director of Government Affairs for the Michigan Nurses Association, shared information on a variety of issues. Safe Patient Care legislation includes prescribed ratios, acuity systems, and a ban on mandatory overtime. That legislation is currently "stuck" in the Labor Committee after much support and activity last year.

Safe Patient Handling at UMHS and State Legislation
Ken shared information about the MIOSHA Rule that will be issued soon by Governor Granholm. A Committee met for 5 years around the issues of ergonomics in the workplace, first studying the issues, and then providing a report on workplace hazards. While employers will try to fight this rule, it will provide MIOSHA with a strong way to push back on employers to provide for ergonomic safety. This will help nurses and our collective interest in nurse safety.

UMPNC members were surveyed on ergonomics prior to negotiations.

Of the over 1000 members responding to the statement "My daily work as a UMHS nurse with respect to musculoskeletal demands would best be described as" 33.7% described "Significant" demands, while another 37.3% described "Moderate demands".

With regard to safe handling resources, that same group of nurses responded to the statement "In my work area, equipment to facilitate movement of patients (lifts/sheets/slide boards, etc) OR a lift team is": only 26.7% described such resources as "readily available and accessible", while 41.5% described these resources as "Generally unavailable/inaccessible" or "Not consistently available/hard to find".

While there have been positive steps with regard to a Lift Team Pilot, there have been a number of serious areas of concern for members. One example is the building of the entire Cardiovascular Center without a single installed patient lift device, despite clear evidence based research that demonstrates the effectiveness of such equipment in reducing nurse injury. Other reports include minimal equipment available on a unit with large dependent patients, and managers needing to apply for FIGS grants or go through other complicated channels in order to procure additional needed equipment. Nurses describe increasingly overweight and obese patients (reflecting the population at large) who often are partially or completely dependent.

In response to the statement "I have personally experienced injury in my work as a UMHS nurse", 3.9% responded "Very serious injury—required extensive care and days off", while another 18.6% responded "Serious injury—required medical care and days off". Further, employees with restrictions, if not accommodated on their own units, often find themselves without employment, benefits, and sometimes with dire consequences in terms of losing their homes.

Affordable Health Care in Michigan
Ken described the efforts to get affordable health care onto the ballot as a constitutional amendment in the state of Michigan. Petitions are circulating (one county per petition), and members signed these petitions and some took several with them to share.

PAC
Ken reminded all present that the MNA PAC depends upon the initiative of members in giving. Monthly deductions from checking, VISA, or one time donations are all possible ways to show support for the PAC. The MNA PAC provides funds in a bi-partisan manner specifically in relation to those pieces of legislation that speak to the issues of nurses and working families.

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM

Stephanie Minerath, Recorder

The next GMM will be held on Tuesday, June 10th, 5:00 - 7:00 PM in the MCHC Auditorium

Negotiations Update #5 (Tuesday, March 25, 2008)

During the General Membership Meeting on March 25, John Armelagos led a discussion on negotiations topics. Topics included: Health Care, PTO, PSMs, Staffing, Salary & Steps, Benefits, Retirement, Bargaining Unit Security, Framework, Professional Development, Health and Safety, Recruitment and Retention, Absences, & Professional Nursing. Strong membership interests were expressed around a number of these topics and several ideas for action were suggested.

John shared that we are completing the "interests" phase of negotiations and are about to move into the Joint Data presentations and option generation of the issues.

General Membership Meeting Report (Tuesday, March 25, 2008)

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 PM by John Armelagos, Chair. Present for the bargaining team were Stephanie Minerath, Vice Chair; Mary Lenewski, Area Rep, Adult Acute Care; and Fred Vocino, MNA Labor Rep.

Minutes from the February 26th GMM were briefly reviewed.

Michigan Nurses March
John Armelagos reported that 20 UMPNC members were present for the annual Michigan Nurses March in Lansing on March 12th. After learning more about the legislative process, members marched to the capitol and then met with their elected representatives in the State Senate and House of Representatives to discuss Safe Staffing legislation. John Armelagos and Katie Oppenheim, as members of the MNA Board of Directors, participated in a meeting with Governor Granholm to discuss nursing priorities in Michigan. Several UMPNC members attended the Health Policy subcommittee's hearing on the status of the Nursing Shortage in Michigan and associated strategies were presented by Lisa Wojno (D, District 28).

MNA special House of Delegates, April 13, 2008
John Armelagos announced that 30 UMPNC delegates will be attending a special House of Delegates meeting on Sunday, April 13th, in Lansing. The focus of this House will be to discuss MNA's relationship with the ANA. Concerns center around the fact that the ANA has taken anti-labor stances on a variety of issues. The membership of the ANA includes a large number of non-union members who work in management and other arenas. Decisions by the ANA have frequently been in conflict with the interests of staff nurses.

The March 17th edition of the UMPNC Newsletter was passed out along with buttons that demonstrate visible support and solidarity for securing an excellent contract that meets the needs of the membership.

The meeting adjourned at 10:00 PM

Stephanie Minerath, Recorder

The next General Membership Meetings will be held in the MCHC Auditorium:
Tuesday, April 22nd, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Tuesday, June 10th, 5:00 - 7:00 PM

Negotiations Update #4 (Monday, March 17, 2008)

Your UMPNC Bylaws provide for the election of Officers and Area Representatives who, together with Labor Representatives from the Michigan Nurses Association, comprise the UMPNC Negotiations Team. Knowledge of our contract, our practice environments, the negotiations process, and labor law are all essential to negotiating an excellent agreement. Read on and you will learn about how these nurses and Labor Reps have prepared themselves for this important work.

From left to right: Stephanie Minerath, Theresa Thompson, John Armelagos, Felicia Kieme, Mary Lenewski, Marietta Brooks, Jessica Salazar, Katie Oppenheim, Sue Nehring, Fred Vocino, Suzanne Lewis

• John Armelagos, UMPNC Chair, has been a Registered Nurse for 22 years, 20 of them here at the University of Michigan, where he worked in both Inpatient Psychiatry and Women's Birthing Center. His UMPNC involvement began as a District Rep in 1992. He became Vice Chair in 1998 and served in that capacity until 2002 when he was elected Chair. John's labor experience dates back to 1976 when he served as a Union Steward within the UAW. Besides his formal nursing education, John received a diploma from Wayne State University Labor School in 1976. He attended the UAN Labor Leader Institute in 2002, and has served as delegate at numerous Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) House of Delegates meetings and as MNA Board of Directors Secretary since 2005. Active in the United American Nurses (UAN), John is a past and current delegate to the National Labor Assembly. At the U of M, John served on the 2nd table negotiations team in 1997, and on the 1st table in 2001, 2004, and 2008.
• Stephanie Minerath, UMPNC Vice-Chair, has been a Registered Nurse for over 30 years, with the last 28 spent mostly here at the University of Michigan. Stephanie worked in both clinical and educational roles within Mott Hospital, Educational Services for Nursing, and U of M School of Nursing. Pediatric nursing was always the focus of Stephanie's practice and education, and she worked for many years at Mott, where she might still be had she not sustained a work related injury that changed the course of her career. Stephanie served numerous times on the UMPNC Nominations Committee and frequently as MNA delegate. Stephanie took two semester long courses at the MSU's School of Labor and Industrial Relations, focusing on Grievance Handling and Negotiations in Health Care. She attended UAN's Labor Leader Institute in 2003 and a four day program on "Union Principles for Safety and Health" at the George Meany National Labor College in Silver Springs, Maryland in 2006. She is a past MNA Board member, and continues as a delegate to the National Labor Assembly. Stephanie served on the UMPNC 2nd table in 1997 and on the 1st table in 1993, 2004, and 2008.
• Marietta Brooks, Area Rep, Continuity of Care, has worked at UMHS for the better part of her 32 years of nursing practice, first as a nurse in Mott Hospital, and for the past 8 years as a Practice Management Coordinator. Marietta was a District Rep prior to taking on the Area Rep role for the Continuity of Care area, which includes Michigan Visiting Nurses (MVN). Marietta participated in UMPNC and MNA rep training, attended the UAN Labor Leader Institute in 2007, and is a member of the Framework Central Committee. Marietta serves as a UMPNC delegate to the MNA House, and is currently a 1st table member.
• Felicia Kieme, Area Rep, OR & Procedure Areas, has been a nurse for 21 years. For the past 18 years Felicia has worked in the Main OR. She has been an active UMPNC rep since 2000 was a 2nd table member (District Rep) during the 2001 negotiations and a 1st table member (Area Rep) for both the 2004 and 2008 negotiations. Felicia completed both MNA bargaining training, as well as stewardship training. Her work as a UMPNC rep extends beyond the required representation, to include numerous unit and hospital wide committees. She is also a member of the Framework Central Committee. Since 2007, Felicia also serves as UMPNC delegate to the MNA House.
• Mary Lenewski, Area Rep, Adult Acute Care, CSR, Vascular Access, and CVC5, has worked in a variety of roles in her 25 year nursing career. She is experienced in home care, extended care, public health, acute care, and hospice. Mary works in the CSR within the Surgical Acute Care cluster, and started her UMPNC leadership role as a District Rep. Mary has been an Area Rep for the past year and a half, and has advanced her labor knowledge and skills through UMPNC rep training, MNA workshops, and at the 2007 UAN Labor Leader Institute. Mary is a member of the Framework Appeals Board and has served as a UMPNC delegate to the MNA House since 2002. She is currently on the 1st table.
• Suzanne Lewis, Area Rep, Advanced Practice, Suzanne's career at the University of Michigan has provided opportunities for clinical practice that have been challenging, intellectually stimulating and varied in their focus. These professional experiences have included: critical care, OR/ Procedure Areas/PACU, vascular/perfusion, clinical instructor (UM School of Nursing) and anesthesia. Flexibility in staffing and scheduling permitted and supported Suzanne's efforts to obtain a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1993 and a Master of Laws degree in 1998, specializing in health law and policy and health care fraud. In 2007, Suzanne completed a course in civil mediation through the Institute for Continuing Legal Education and she is currently completing the practice requirements to become fully certified. Memberships in professional organizations include: Michigan Nurses Association, Michigan Association of Nurse Anesthetists, American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, State Bar of Michigan and the Federal Bar Association. Suzanne was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 2006. Except for a brief interruption in 2004, Suzanne has been the Area Rep for Advanced Practice since 1999 and a 1st table negotiator in 2000 and 2008.
• Sue Nehring, Area Rep, Ambulatory Care, has been a Registered Nurse for over 30 years, including 25 years here at U of M. Initially an inpatient nurse at Mott Hospital, Sue has worked in Ambulatory Care since 1989. She currently works at Ypsilanti Family Practice. Sue has been an active voice in the UMPNC and MNA for a number of years, serving in the past and currently as a UMPNC delegate to the MNA House. Sue attended numerous Rep training sessions, and for many years has been an integral part of Workload Review Committee education for Ambulatory Care. Sue served on the 2nd table in 1997, 2001, and 2004 and is a 1st table negotiator in 2008.
• Katie Oppenheim, Area Rep, Peds/Perinatal/Psychiatry, Katie has been a Registered Nurse for 30 years and her practice area has always been Women's Health. At UMHS since 1994, Katie has worked on the Mother-Baby Unit and at the Women's Birthing Center. A union activist since arriving at UMHS, Katie is currently serving her 2nd term as Area Rep for PPP. At the MNA, Katie served for 8 years on the Economic and General Welfare Cabinet, and is a past and current Board of Directors Member. She served as delegate for numerous MNA House of Delegates meetings and UAN Labor Assemblies. Katie attended the UAN Labor Leader Institute in 2003 as well as many other UMPNC and MNA training sessions. Katie is beginning a two year term on the UMHS Diversity Advisory Team, and serves on both the Retention Team and Framework Central Committee. Katie is on the Board of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association and the Health Advisory Board of the Lesbian Health Research Center at UC San Francisco. In the past, Katie served on the Negotiations Data team and as 2nd table member. She has been a 1st table negotiator in 2004 and 2008.
• Theresa Thompson, Area Rep, Adult ICUs, has been a nurse for over 20 years, and for the past 10 within the CSR Adult ICU cluster. Theresa started as a District Rep, and served on the 2nd table for the 2004 contract. She was an Area Rep "at large" for 2 years and has been Area Rep for the Adult ICUs for the past 3. Theresa honed her skills at UMPNC rep training, and by attending the UAN Labor Leader Institute in 2006. Theresa is a current UMPNC delegate to the MNA House, and a 2008 1st table negotiator.
• Jessica Salazar, Labor Rep, Michigan Nurses Association, joined the team this year as a second Labor Representative, in addition to Fred Vocino. Jessica holds a Master's Degree from Michigan State University's School of Labor and Industrial Relations and she has worked at the MNA since 1996. One of the major parts of her Labor Rep position is contract negotiations. While working at MNA, she has been assigned to hospitals in the public and private sectors as well as public health departments. Most recently Jessica completed negotiations at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing where MNA represents over 40 different classifications of health care professionals, including Registered Nurses. She is also currently assigned to a hospital that is likely to go through a merger this spring.
• Fred Vocino, Labor Rep, Michigan Nurses Association, Fred started his work in the labor movement in 1976 when he stepped in to help with a strike at Wayne State University. From that time he was elected to several positions in his local union that was affiliated with the Technical, Office and Professional Department of the UAW. Grievance handling and contract negotiations were his primary focus for 15 years, culminating with his becoming the President of the local union. While earning his BFA degree at Wayne State, Fred supplemented the practical learning acquired by representing workers, taking advantage of the many educational opportunities provided by the UAW and in labor related courses offered at Wayne. Prior to leaving Wayne for a Staff position at MNA, Fred taught courses for Detroit area local union reps at Wayne State's Labor School.
  
  Fred started at MNA in 1991; before his first year was completed he was asked to take on the work as MNA's Labor Relations Representative assigned to UMPNC Staff Council at U of M. Similar work at other Staff Councils throughout the state has involved travel to Monroe, Adrian, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, Pontiac and Lansing. The growth of the membership at U of M brought an end to those widespread assignments and Fred now spends most of his time at UMPNC. However, he still enjoys his other regular assignment at VNA of Southeast Michigan. Fred is the Senior Labor Rep at MNA and is called on for occasional consulting work with other Staff Councils. Additionally, Fred has an interest in labor arbitration which started back when he was Grievance Committee Chair at Wayne State and when given the opportunity he still presents the MNA's cases in arbitration.
  
  Fred related his views concerning his work with the people at UMPNC: "I have never been disappointed by a lack of challenges and intriguing issues since I started with MNA and working with UMPNC local representatives. Every meeting with a member, every set of negotiations over the last 16 years reminds me of the obligations I had defined for me by the people I first met while trying to get a good contract in 1976. I continue to hear those human concerns as a call for innovation built on experience and fresh ideas supplied by the nurses who are asked by the membership to speak-out in the workplace."

Negotiations Update #3 (Tuesday, February 26, 2008)

1. Impact of Absences - Volume of planned and unplanned absences negatively impacts staffing for patient care and costs.
2. Recruitment and Rentention - Recruitment and retention of qualified nurses is impaired by some current practices.
3. Variable Activity - Current system of incentives/disincentives is not effective in meeting our staffing and business needs in an environment of variable activity in a fiscally responsible and equitable way
4. Overtime - Current OT system is costly, time consuming and complex that does not align to the ever changing workload challenges.
5. Holiday and Holiday Week - Scheduling is complex and a dissatisfier for current and potential staff.
6. Professional Development Framework - Some issues and inconsistencies have emerged in implementation.

   6a.   All aspects of the Role Specific - Advancement Model require review and decision.

7. UMPNC Release Time - Processes for scheduling and providing release time for union business are difficult and costly.
8. Benefits - Current formula for premium contribution calculation limits flexibility in light of overall rising healthcare costs (Para. 442).
9. Inclement Weather - Current language does not align with current University policy (i.e. Emergency Closing), is costly, and does not support the ability to meet business needs (Para. 473).

UMPNC Issues: These were presented at the 1/29/08 General Membership Meeting. John Armelagos indicated that members can review a detailed list on the UMPNC website under the new link Negotiations Update, Update #2.

• Tuition Reimbursement: Stephanie Minerath encourages any UMPNC member that has been denied or experienced any problems with this process, to please call the UMPNC office for assistance.
• Healthcare Costs: during the discussion on benefits it was indicated that the UM is experiencing concerns on how they are going to manage the rising healthcare costs. A member asked if the UMPNC could explore what resources the UM will utilize to address this problem. John Armelagos indicated that during negotiations this matter will be raised with the University.

General Membership Meeting Minutes (Tuesday, February 26, 2008)

UMPNC Leadership Present: Officers: John Armelagos, Chair, Stephanie Minerath, Vice-chair Lisa Sylvest, Secretary, Roberta Duda, Treasurer.
Reps: Acute Care Area Rep: Mary Lenewski
PPP Area Rep: Katie Oppenheim
OR/Procedures Area Rep: Felicia Kieme
Adult ICU Area Rep: Theresa Thompson
Continuity of Care Area Rep: Marietta Brooks
MNA Staff: Fred Vocino

Minutes from previous meeting 1/29/08 were reviewed by John Armelagos.
A member suggested that UMPNC members sign a petition in support of the Safe Staffing Legislation that MNA is supporting. John will f/u with MNA

Treasurer's Report
Roberta Duda again provided an overview of our monthly dues breakdown. Of the $49/mo, part goes to ANA/UAN, part to MNA and $2 per member comes directly to the UMPNC. The UMPNC 2008 budget was again briefly reviewed. To address ongoing questions regarding membership dues, the UMPNC will provide a detailed breakdown of the dues in the next UMPNC newsletter. The newsletter will be published mid March.

Announcements: John Armelagos

• Michigan Nurses March is March 12, 2008 in Lansing. UMPNC will reimburse members for the $20 fee, which includes lunch.
• DMC organizing continues. A handout was distributed.

Variable Activity, Staffing, Workload and Overtime:
Stephanie Minerath reviewed the results from the on-line 2008 Negotiations Survey that the UMPNC conducted last fall. An additional short survey was distributed. Stephanie also discussed how issues come to the UMPNC's attention through the WRCs. There was discussion regarding the need for more nurse involvement in preparing for new facilities. Problems relating to the CVC were discussed.

Thank you for your interest in the UMPNC 2008 contract negotiations. Your union will continue to provide updates as we progress through the bargaining process. The updates will be posted in as timely a manner as practical.

Negotiations Update #2 (January 29, 2008)

Announcements/Updates

• The Detroit Medical Center organizing campaign---RN's at DMC are facing a tough struggle in gaining their right to form a union. For more information, go to the Michigan Nurses Association website, www.minurses.org
• The strike at Appalachian Regional Hospital---over 800 United American Nurses (UAN) RN's were on strike over three months. Those RN's recently achieved an agreement, but the working environment is hostile.
• Universal Health Care Access in Michigan---literature was distributed to members regarding the Constitutional amendment petition drive for universal health care access for all Michigan citizens.
• Michigan Nurses March---Registration forms were distributed to members to participate in the MNA's legislative thrust, Michigan Nurses March. The MNA's website also has these forms. (The UMPNC will underwrite the registration fee for members who participate and earn CEU's related to this event.)

General Membership Meeting Report (January 29, 2008)

Treasurer's Report
Treasurer Robbi Duda presented the 2008 UMPNC budget and explained how dues are allocated among the UMPNC, MNA, UAN, and American Nurses Association. (Further in this regard, the upcoming UMPNC Quarterly Newsletter will devote an article on the distribution of dues.) Because of the costs related to negotiations and general elections, a small percentage of the reserves will have to be used.

Discussion on Negotiations
The meeting progressed to a discussion on contract negotiations. The topics/subjects of bargaining that were brought to the table by your Negotiation Team came from a variety of sources, some of which included:

• The on-line membership survey, where over 1,000 members responded.
• Feedback from members provided in surveys at 2007 General Membership Meetings
• The more informal, but valuable membership communication directly to their bargaining team
• The experiences of the last four years of your District and Area Reps, as well as the Officers of your union in the daily enforcement of the Agreement
• Trigger/workload data

During the past two weeks, the negotiating teams exchanged and clarified issues.

The issues discussed at the meetings that were also presented to the University included:

1. Staffing/ Workload/Variable Activity
   
   • HPPD as an insufficient method of determining core-staffing needs
   • Workload Review Committees' efficacy
   • Use of overtime and on call as a staffing mechanism
   • Limitations of staffing models used in specialty units such as OR/Procedure areas and Ambulatory Care
   • Effect of recent and planned expansions on core staffing in new and existing units
   • Holiday staffing
   • Sleep time for on call teams
2. Compensation
   
   • Base wages
   • 'Steps', including the effect on current employees, new hires, and Ambulatory Care members
   • Off shift and weekend differentials
   • On call rates
   • Economic gains related to the Professional Development Framework
   • Ambulatory Care time recording policies, processes, and policies
   • Influence of a fluid market on salaries for advanced practice providers
3. Benefits
   • Health care: deductibles, co-pays and other associated costs which are eroding member finances
   • Lack of contract language securing specific benefits and plans
   • Other Qualified Adults as covered beneficiaries
   • Tuition Reimbursement: funding limits and contract language that lacks clarity and permits inconsistent disbursement decisions
   • PTO: limits of 70% prescheduled time, sell back; unclear PTO access language as it applies to partial shifts, frequency, duration and notice; use of PTO time during prolonged, prescheduled periods of low census in OR/Procedure areas
   • Policies and procedures for PTO access in Ambulatory Care
   • Eligibility requirements regarding access to long term and short term disability
4. Retirement (Please note there was considerable misunderstand among some of the membership in regard to health care benefits associated with retirement. For more concrete information about this, please refer to the University's Standard Practice Guide, policy 201.83)
   • Absence of contract language that provides retirement health care insurance guarantees
   • Health care coverage eligibility during retirement for employees hired after July 1, 1988
   • Retention of retirement eligible staff members: incentives, roles, benefits and options.
5. Bargaining Unit Security and Stability
   
   • Dispute resolution process: insufficient dedicated time for dispute resolution and interest based bargaining; and dispute resolution education for UMPNC reps, Managers and Human Resource Consultants Release time and creation of a dedicated Dispute Resolution Chair as a response to increased activity, expanded partnerships which are straining current resources
   • Inefficiency of 3 separate agreements (Master, MVN and LOA)
   • Introduction and use of non bargained-for alternative providers (e.g. physician assistants, respiratory therapists, unlicensed medical assistants, etc.) in areas of traditional RN practice Determinants of seniority driven benefits (PTO selection, promotion, holiday preferences, RIF etc.) in areas where UMPNC members and non bargained-for providers coexist
   • Prolonged use of temporary employees
   • Mechanisms to facilitate MNA-PAC contributions by UMPNC members
6. Professional Development Framework
   
   • Current Agreement does not address areas where the implementation process has demonstrated a need for improvement
   • Opportunities for advancement have been limited due to an excessive process, lack of education, and dedicated resources such as coaches, feedback classes, access to technology, and limited numbers of qualified peer reviewers
   • Uneven/inconsistent unit level support for advancement to Level C
   • Lack of commitment to the "Framework" on individual units and across units
   • Unequal distribution of opportunities to enhance professional growth and development which is necessary for advancement
   • Existing contract language that permits inconsistent promotions within the Central Committee
   • Lack of advancement opportunities for role specific N-3s who are excluded from the Framework
7. Professional Nursing
   
   • Insufficient input into decisions that affect members in the workplace, including: new technology, process changes, workload, supervision of unlicensed providers, physical plant design, and hours of operation, etc.
   • Use of technology as methods to insinuate poor practice or low productivity
   • Changes within other University structures that redirect workload and impact role definition and professional autonomy of UMPNC members
   • Unfavorable experiences for UMPNC members working in Ambulatory Care under the current collaborative practice agreement with Ambulatory Care Administration and the Faculty Group Practice.
8. Professional Development
   
   • Insufficient levels of funding and business time to support professional education and development
   • Individual funding levels and business time for advanced practice providers with specific certification, recertification and departmental requirements
   • Influence of individual manager/administrator/unit staff bias on access to funds and time
   • Lack of clarity in contract language regarding choice of programs
   • Lack of funding, business time, and support for members pursuing specialized certification that is applicable to an identified position or role
   • Insufficient resources to promote and enhance opportunities to participate in initiatives that promote world class nursing such as Grand Rounds, Brown Bag Lunches, or the launch of new patient care initiatives
   • Staffing does not permit individual staff nurses to attend educational offerings or participate in professional activities that occur within the institution every day
9. Health and Safety
   
   • Exposure to potential and/or actual violence or abuse in the workplace
   • Risk and incidence of musculoskeletal injury in the course of performing nursing work
   • Lack/insufficient equipment to promote safe patient handling for both clients and staff
   • Proposed and newly constructed facilities do not ensure or promote ergonomic safety
   • Repetitious exposure to environmental and/or occupational hazards such as radiation, anesthetic gases, noise or repetitive movements
   • UMPNC members requiring accommodation, but unable to secure accommodated positions Impaired UMPNC members and other licensed health care providers

Thank you for your interest in the UMPNC 2008 contract negotiations. Your union will continue to provide updates as we progress through the bargaining process. The updates will be posted in as timely a manner as practical.

Negotiations Update #1 (January 20, 2008)

The 2008 contract negotiations between the UMPNC and the University of Michigan were launched on January 8, 2008 beginning with a three day program designed to educate first time negotiating team members about Interest Based Bargaining (IBB) and to refresh information for experienced members.

The Interest Based Bargaining process has provided the framework for collective bargaining sessions since the early 1990s. IBB is a structured approach in which the parties share issues and concerns, identify interests related to the issues and jointly generate options to address them. The process creates relationships that recognize a mutual interest in achieving success through an agreement that includes objective standards and criteria, well crafted commitments, effective communication and provisions that address the issues and interests of both parties. The discussions are focused on issues and possible solutions rather than on positions that may have been adopted with little or no supporting data. The process fosters ongoing communication, stresses value in discussion and consideration of the same, similar and differing opinions, enhances sharing and understanding of information and data and creates a negotiation environment that supports trust, respect and open and honest evaluation of the options under consideration. The goal is to craft an agreement that meets the needs and concerns of both UMPNC members and the University.

Your UMPNC representatives have been meeting to review the results of the online member survey and discuss the comments made by the respondents. The information contained in the survey, together with our experiences and other information and data, collected throughout the life of the current contract, is providing the starting point for development of our list of interests and issues. For example, a typical list of topics includes: compensation, benefits, staffing and workload, and safety to name a few. Often a topic is multifaceted containing overlapping and/or more than one distinct issue. In all day sessions, January 17th and 18th, each party met separately to continue work on identifying and clarifying their negotiation topics. The goal of the UMPNC team is to create a concise but comprehensive list that will be presented at a joint session in which both groups share their issues and interests. The lists are essentially a roadmap for discussion and negotiation. There is no requirement that the interests and issues be mutual in order to be considered. In an interest based environment, if a topic is an issue for one side, the other side agrees to work on it. The interest statements clarify the aspects of the issue that the parties wish to address. During our negotiation sessions this week we will continue our efforts to compile a comprehensive list for negotiation to be presented to the University

Another goal of the negotiation team is to continue to respond to member requests for ongoing information regarding the progress of the bargaining sessions. We plan to post weekly updates on the UMPNC website that will contain general descriptions of our progress. Also, we will hold periodical and regular general membership meetings. However, it is essential that the specifics of the discussions, options generated and other aspects of the negotiations remain within the bargaining process. This is to ensure open and honest communication between the teams and the individual representatives and to encourage uninhibited and creative option generation. There is no guarantee that any specific option will be included in the final packages offered by the individual teams so details of options and discussions cannot be shared until the final package is accepted by the negotiating teams and presented to the membership for ratification. We will publish a comprehensive summary of the proposed agreement at the time the agreement is presented to the members. The UMPNC will provide education and information and answer any questions about the agreement prior to a ratification vote.

We encourage you to continue to visit our website for updates during the course of the negotiations.

Check back often for updates...