February 19, 2009

On February 3, 2009 Bay Area Hospital members turned out in record numbers to vote on an offer by the employer.  The turnout was huge and BAH Local 555 members are to be commended for taking an active role in deciding their next contract.

There will be some changes in strategy going forward.  On February 18, 2009, Kay Nelson, Scottie Graser, and I will be meeting with the Bargaining Committee and the Steering Committee to discuss the plan going forward.  We have established a website specific to the Bay Area Hospital negotiations: www.ufcw555.com/bah.  We will use the website to update members on negotiations progress, inform members about upcoming community actions, and to facilitate member to member communication as well as serving as the signup page for our new BAH text message information distribution system.

Scottie Graser will no longer be leading negotiations for the BAH members.  He has accepted a job with UFCW International and will be bargaining contracts for numerous Locals in the Midwest.  I will be taking over BAH negotiations.  I have been in contact with the employer representative and we will be going back to the bargaining table on March 10th from 9:00am to 4:00pm.  I have also been contact with the State Mediator’s office to seek their assistance.  However according to the state law, the Mediator role can not start until we hit 150 days of bargaining  which is April 13, 2009, or if the parties seek assistance earlier, the employer representative has to agree before that date.

Stay informed, check out the specific web site, and stay connected, and informed.