Union Bulletin Update
October 11, 2015
Autumn rising out of the mists....On the way home.
On the way home Friday, I was so drawn in by the scenery that I stopped and took pictures, even though I was so tired and just wanted to be home. I share them in this newsletter with hopes that we are all enjoying the beauty of a Northern New England Autumn!
Council Members of our local have encountered many questions from our members on two issues. Thus, including those answers in our newsletter seems to be the most efficient way to get answers and information out to our members. Also, in this issue, we want to remind you of the fact that our Union Representative Nomination Period is now open and will close on Friday, October 16, 2015 at 8 pm. You will find more information below.
Joyce Dion, President
CALLING ALL CRISIS TEAM MEMBERS AND RNs
Union Rep Nomination Period closes Friday, October 16th
Nomination period for the office of Representatives is now open and nominations will be accepted until Friday, October 16, 2015 no later than 8:00 p.m.
The term of office will run through June 2016 as this nomination period is being held to fill vacant positions until regular elections in June 2016. Representatives shall be installed immediately upon certification of election results or upon close of this Nomination period if their seat is uncontested.
Nominations must be made in writing on a nomination form (If you have not received the nomination form by email already, please contact your site VP or Joyce Dion, President). The nomination forms are due Friday, October 16, 2015 no later than 8:00 p.m.
Return completed nomination forms to Joyce Dion and/or Katherine Harris by attaching a scanned copy of completed nomination forms to UnionatHCRS@gmail.com or by U. S. mail (allow 2 days delivery time) to Joyce Dion, President, UNAP Local 5051,1644 Downer Road, Sharon, VT 05065. Or hand deliver to Katherine Harris, Hartford or any of our 3 site Vice Presidents: Susanae Glovacki, Brattleboro; Laura B Williams, Springfield; Tracy Grissom, Hartford.
If you have questions please contact nomination and election committee Chairperson Katherine Harris at 802-233-4070 or via email, Katherine.Harris630@gmail.com or Joyce Dion, President at 802-356-7347 or at the union email listed above. All nominations must be received by Friday, October 16, 2015, no later than 8:00 p.m.
Membership in good standing for at least three (3) months is required to hold office. All dues paying members shall be considered “members in good standing”.
Nominations will be accepted for the office of:
Representatives
School Based Clinicians (4)
Outpatient Clinicians (5)
Crisis Team (2)
RN (1)
NOTE:
- Members in good standing who work in the areas listed can run for the office of Representative, nominate others for office of Representative and vote in the election.
Union Members also receive 2% COLA raise in January 2016
"this email went out to Brattleboro Thursday night,October 8, 2015, and we'd like to pass it along to you."
Hi Union Members. Just wanted to make sure you know, after George Karakabakis' misleading email of today, that union members are getting a 2% raise in the first paycheck of 2016, and again in 2017.
Whether George did not mention this on purpose as a slight, or if it was an oversite, doesn't really matter. I prefer to stay positive.
You should know that at the start of bargaining our contract last October 2014, HCRS's first offer was a wage freeze for all three years. After three months of weekly, long bargaining meetings after work, your union bargaining team negotiated the $500 bonus for this past July 2015, and 2% for January 2016 and 2017. It was not as much as we wanted, but it ended up being the best we could do for now.
Historically, HCRS has given non-union employees the same raises as those we negotiate in our contract. Before having a union, HCRS would commonly go for years with no raises at all.
Susanae Glovacki,
UNAP Local 5051 VP
Editor's Note: Please consult your current contract booklet (Jan 1, 2015 to Dec 31, 2017), page 42, as pictured above, for more information. This booklet has been sent to all incumbent members of our bargaining unit and to all new union new hires receive it at their HCRS Orientation from HR. If you do not have a current contract booklet, please contact Joyce Dion, President
Financial Losses at HCRS in 2014-2015 fiscal year
Also, Hal Moore, CFO announced in the August 2015 Children's Training, that HCRS suffered an 1.8 million dollar loss last fiscal year. The financial loss which HCRS is suffering under is a result of the failure of HCRS West. For those who have been asking questions about this issue, here is the link to a past newsletter with links to more news reporting on the HCRS West debacle found in VTDigger.org originally reported by The Valley News