Bargaining Session #8, Sept. 29, 2025
We (both sides) had a very productive discussion with Jessica Van Alstyne, an HR expert on leaves, to clarify our understanding of how our employer interprets those benefits, including federal and state FMLA (which are law and not for us to negotiate) and SEBAC Supplemental Leave (which is negotiated at the statewide level, outside of our talks here). This will help inform our response to some of management’s proposals specific to leaves. We also are working on reconciling differences on proposals related to holidays.
We also can report tentative agreement related the timeline on grievances, a modest revision to the vacation scheduling process, and housekeeping to modernize language related to health and safety.
It’s a start!
Next bargaining session: Oct. 8 (postponed)
Bargaining Session #7, Sept. 22, 2025
Shortly after our June 23, 2025, meeting, we did secure a signed agreement to continue working under our current contract for up to another year (until June 30, 2026), and another agreement to extend the recruitment and retention stipends to June 11, 2026.
Today, management returned to the table for the first time in nearly three months. Our discussions focused on outstanding proposals from both sides related to time off, with much of the conversation on whether proposed changes truly are clarifying language and not substantive changes. We have our doubts about potential consequences about some of the proposed language changes and are doing our due diligence to ensure we’re protecting benefits we already have.
We will pick up the discussion next week.
Next bargaining session: Sept. 29
Bargaining Session #6, June 23, 2025
Following our showing at Dr. Andy’s June 18 town hall, we met with management for the first time since April 30. There was a difference of opinion as to what we were there to discuss.
We pushed for a dialogue on continuing the recruitment and retention stipend in critically understaffed patient areas. The message from across the table was that the need for the stipends had ceased in certain areas; therefore, management wanted to use the expiration of the stipend agreement as an opportunity to halve the stipend in certain areas, and absent a new agreement, management has made clear the stipends would be discontinued effective the next paycheck.
We also sought a formal agreement to extend the existing contract while we negotiate the next one. The message from management was, our employer does not feel an extension is necessary at this time and is uncomfortable formally extending beyond the minimum of what it has to by statute.
Please stay tuned for additional updates in the coming days.
Bargaining Session #5, April 30, 2025
This was the first session during which both sides identified proposals or portions of proposals where there might be some common ground, and tried to work toward coming up with agreeable resolutions to them.
We will be focusing on improving contract language while we wait for the financial picture to become clearer.
As these sessions go on it should become more apparent which areas are the higher priorities for both sides. The negotiating team will be splitting into smaller groups to focus on particular issues and eventually present recommendations to our full group to then present to management at a future session.
Next bargaining session: TBD. We will send management dates for the small group sessions.
Bargaining Session #4, March 18, 2025
This was the final meeting to introduce new proposals for this next contract. Both sides presented their proposals with a brief overview of each.
We then caucused to start to digest the proposals as a team. Meetings with management from this point forward will focus on the proposals on the table. For each proposal, both sides can accept, reject, or counter.
Our team is meeting again March 24 to continue analyzing management’s proposals and determine how to proceed at the next bargaining session, which is scheduled for the last week in April.
Next bargaining session: April 30, 2025
Bargaining Session #3: Feb. 24, 2025
This was the second of three meetings for both sides to exchange proposals to have on the table for the next contract. Some of management’s proposals were quite drastic. Both sides presented, then the teams met among themselves for the rest of the evening. Our team is getting together several more times in early March to analyze management’s proposals and decide how to respond to them, and also to come up with the rest of the proposals we will present. All proposals must be brought to the table by the March 18 bargaining session, per the rules both sides agreed on at the start of the negotiations.
Next bargaining session: March 18, 2025
Bargaining Session #2: Feb. 3, 2025
Both sides provided their first group of proposals, with brief explanations of each, then caucused to discuss among themselves. We identified which proposals require a closer look and will continue to work on them before our next bargaining session, which is scheduled for Feb. 24. Per the ground rules both sides agreed to, all proposals must be brought to the table by the third bargaining session, which is scheduled for March 18.
Next bargaining session: Feb. 24, 2025
Bargaining Session #1: Jan. 13, 2025
We discussed our ground rules for negotiations, and set some dates for upcoming bargaining sessions. Our next session with management will be Feb. 3. Our team will meet again Jan. 22 and Jan. 28 to prepare our proposals.
Next bargaining session: Feb. 4, 2025