OFS Bargaining Report #2

Day 2 of negotiations commenced at 10:00 a.m.  Bill Bates asked for a moment of silence for those impacted by the tornado in Oklahoma City. 

The Union passed a proposal on Article 13 adding Martin Luther King’s Day and Presidents’ Day to the holiday schedule.

The Company passed three proposals, all of which was retrogressive.  The first proposal on Articles 3 – Defined Terms  and Article 11 – Premium Payments & 11 would pay employees, whose shifts fell, wholly or partially, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., for only those hours worked in that timeframe.  The current language pays a night bonus for the entire tour, if any employees’ shifts fall between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.  The Company explained the change would not apply to New Hires.

The Company’s second proposal was on Article 9.2 (c) – Wages, changing the date on which progression raises would be given.  Rather than receiving progression raises on the first of the months of March and September, employees would receive progression wages on the Monday, following the 1^st day of those months.  If March and/or September 1^st fell on any other day, except Monday, the raise would become effective the following week.  The Company claimed the intent of the proposal was to help eliminate payroll errors that sometimes occurred when the first of the month fell in the middle of a pay period.  However, when the Union asked if raises would be made retroactive to the first of the month when given after the 1^st, the Company replied the raises would not be made retroactive.  That would result in a loss of money to employees.

The Company’s third proposal was also on Article 11 – Premium Payments, eliminating Double Time for any time worked, except for Sundays.  When the Union asked how often double time is currently paid, and how much the Company would save applying the proposed language, the Company was unable to provide any specific data.  The Company agreed to provide the information.

Your Union Bargaining Team came to bargain a fair and equitable contract, for all employees.  Based on the first three Company proposals, it appears the Company objectives do not mirror the Union’s.

Bargaining was recessed for the day, and will commence again on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.  A conference call is scheduled with Express Scripts to discuss the Prescription Drug Plan, at 2:00 Wednesday afternoon.