November 16, 2023
Greetings Sisters, Brothers, and Colleagues,
The Collective Agreement expired on March 31, 2023. Notice to Bargain was sent to the Employer on December 5, 2022. The parties met to commence collective bargaining and exchange proposals on February 14 (Day 1), then continued bargaining on February 15 and 16, 2023.
The Employer presented an extremely unusual and lengthy proposals package, which included significant proposed amendments to Article 11 (Vacancies and Positions) and Article 12 (Hours of Work). It took all three bargaining days in February to have the Employer explain the rationale behind their lengthy proposals document.
When we resumed for another three days on March 8 (Day 4), 9 and 10, we were able to begin moving some of the simpler language proposals (non-monetary), to the agreed-to list.
We resumed bargaining on May 17 (Day 7) and 18. The parties continued to discuss non-monetary language proposals, making some slow progress on language changes, and agreed to meet again on July 5 (Day 9) and July 6. Additional dates in September were set aside as well, September 13, 14 and 15 to continue negotiations. Due to the length of time since meeting in July and the Employer’s unreasonable expectations regarding preparation time, the Bargaining Committee spent September 13 in a day-long caucus prior to returning to the Employer’s boardroom on September 14 (Day 11) and September 15 (Day 12).
The parties began signing off agreed-to language changes during the September session and continued to complete a list of up-to-date agreed-to language changes. The parties will begin monetary discussions when we resume on November 27 (Day 13), November 28, and November 29. It is hopeful the parties may reach a tentative agreement with these additional dates.
In Solidarity,
The SEIU-West Southwest Homes Bargaining Committee
Justine Cherpin (Unit Chair) • Myrna Gehl • Staff: Sharon Farrell (Union Representative) • Larry Buchinski (Southern Negotiations Officer)