PECSH unity pays off with solid new contract

by Ann Kettering Sincox

Bargaining a new contract is not easy. It takes a great deal of research, teamwork and attention to detail. It requires listening to the membership and negotiating with management, all while trying to prioritize the “must haves” from the “work towards.” Strategic thinking is required, and trust and confidence in your bargaining team members are essential.

That’s why there’s more to the story of the recently negotiated Professional Employees Council of Sparrow Hospital (PECSH) contract than you’ll read in the MNA press release. What the release won’t show you is the camaraderie between the members of the negotiating team, the experiences they shared working together, and the feeling of accomplishment they gained from negotiating, together, a great contract.

What made this negotiating session so successful? Jeff Breslin, PECSH President, shares his thoughts: “The negotiating team stayed focused and worked well together. We were able to rely on the past efforts of the membership who continually sought good contracts. This was a very cohesive bargaining team with good representation from every unit. Our communication paid off with updates through our newsletter and on the website. No one was afraid to share their opinions, and everyone’s comments were listened to and respected.”

“I think one of the areas that really helped this negotiating session is that we worked hard during the caucuses. We evaluated a lot of data in regard to overtime, costing issues, and short days. We had six days just by ourselves to study the material and come up with strategic plans to use during the negotiating sessions,” said Gail Jehl, Chair of the PECSH Negotiating Committee. “I’ve negotiated a lot of contracts but I enjoyed negotiating this one most of all.”

So, what were the benefits gained through the new contract? Marianne George, a Clinical Nurse Educator at Sparrow was on the negotiating team and serves in another strategic role as well. “As co-chair of the Sparrow AHSSC (Associate Health and Safety Subcommittee), I was elated to reach tentative agreements on several safety issues early on in the negotiations. The Sparrow leadership has committed to the health and safety of its health care workers by moving the Hospital to a latex free status by November 2008, piloting a “lift team” in the areas most impacted by injuries by June 2008, and eventually bringing a lift team to the Hospital to assist with retention and recruitment. They have also committed to ensuring that units will have staff address safety concerns by encouraging safety liaisons to represent clinical areas of the Hospital. As Sparrow makes the transition to a tobacco free campus, they are willing to offer employees free smoking cessation classes, counseling, over the counter medications, and level 1 to 2 tier prescriptions including Chantex, free of charge for 6 months after the plan is implemented.”

Besides the new safety improvements, all Sparrow health care professionals will have a 3% general salary increase in each of the three years. The contract also has improvements in charge pay differential, tuition reimbursement and a new preceptor pay. And, always a plus, there were no changes in the healthcare coverage.

Due to the research findings the Negotiating Committee shared with management, the hospital also committed to hire more than 30 new FTE staff to reduce overtime and on-call. The level of overtime and extra work hours will be monitored and evaluated monthly during the term of the contract.
“Our success can be attributed to having such a diverse and talented negotiating team, as well as the usual strong support from our MNA labor representatives, Jessica Salazar and Cindy LaFountain. We are thrilled to have a contract that will continue to keep our nurses and health professionals well compensated and meet their future retirement needs as well,” said Scott Wolschleger, Vice Chair of the PECSH Negotiating Committee.

“It was a great experience, I really enjoyed it,” laughs Beth Dunlap, who served for the first time on the Negotiating Committee. “I have no qualms about doing it again!”

“Duly noted!” exclaimed Gail Jehl from across the room with a smile.