JFS UNION CONTRACT RATIFED BY LOCAL 800 MEMBERSHIP, June 2019
The new Collective Bargaining Agreement was approved by a solid majority of members.
The new agreement is in effect as of July 1, 2019, including the new wage increase. See the summary, below.
Thanks for everyone who took the time to vote in this election.
Very Special Thanks to hard-working Bargaining Team member Leslie Brandes from Freda Mohr, Niki Cannon from Hirsh Kosher Kitchen, Sherri Kadovitz from Israel Levin Center, and Rickey Williams from Valley Storefront.
We’ll be working with JFS to produce the new CBA booklet and to get it out to all members when it’s ready.
For more info or questions, please contact the Bargaining Team members or Union Rep/Negotiator Gary Guthman atgary@afscme36.orgor (213) 248-0381.
June 25, 2019
SUMMARY OF RATIFIED JFS LAST, BEST AND FINAL OFFER
1. WAGES: JFS went up from 1.75% yearly for 3 years to:
3% effective July 1, 2019
2.5% effective July 1, 2020
2.5% effective July 1, 2021
2. Health Insurance: We reached tentative agreement (TA) to a 5% increase in the Employer share of the health care premiums per year. This keeps employee premium increases to a minimum. The Union negotiated for JFS to contribute the following amounts for each employee enrolled in hospital and medical insurance:
2019-20: $725.19/month
2020-21: $761.45/month
2021-22: $799.53/month
3.“Day After Thanksgiving” as Paid Holiday: The Union Bargaining Team proposed this since we’ve received pay for being off this day for the past few years. JFS agreed! It’s now guaranteed in the union contract.
4. Exempt Status for MSW’s, MFT’s and RN’s:Move these positions to exempt or salaried status. This will provide a more flexible work schedule in return for becoming exempt from overtime provision of state and federal law. Most union members in these classifications will receive an additional week of vacation during this contract period due to the accelerated accrual schedule in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for exempt staff. For example, beginning right after 1st year from your hire date, MSW’s, MFT’s and RN’s will begin accruing vacation at the 3 weeks per year level. (See Article 26.C.3 - Vacation Accrual, on page 31 of current union contract, on union website, here.)
5. Double Time Pay on Sundays: JFS dropped their proposal to eliminate this valuable benefit! Members who work on Sundays will continue to earn double time pay.
6. On-Call Rotation for Licensed Clinicians in DMH Program: Mandatory On-Call Rotation for all Licensed staff to handle emergency after-hours calls from clients. The Union Bargaining Team persuaded JFS to increase the stipend from $50 to $100 per week for carrying the phone.
7. Cell Phone Reimbursement: $30 per month for any staff that are required to use their personal cell phone for work. JFS rejected our demands that staff currently receiving over $30/month keep same pay. This is first time we’ll have guaranteed rights to cell phone reimbursement in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
8.New Labor-Management Committee (LMC): Gives us an on-going voice in working conditions and other issues on the job. LMC will meet 3 times per year and will be comprised of 3 Union members and 3 JFS management staff. The first issue will be to help develop the protocol and policies for the new On-Call Rotation for DMH Licensed Clinicians.
9.Extended Leave (Including Medical): Improved job protection for members that need to be out on personal/medical leave for longer than timelines in CBA (i.e. the right to take up to 12 months extended leave for employees with over 3 years of service).
10. Evaluation Form: Add section for us to have option to “provide a review” of our supervisor.
Other JFS proposals the Union Bargaining Team got JFS to withdrawinclude eliminating severance pay for staff forced to resign due to “permanent and total disability,” and taking away the right to receive a vacation advance for up to two weeks if needed when Paid Leave Bank is empty.
For comments, questions, or more information, contact Union Bargaining Team members: Armando Abundis - Maintenance, Leslie Brandes - Freda Mohr, Niki Canon - Hirsh Kosher Kitchen, Sherri Kadovitz - Israel Levin Center, or Rickey Williams - DMH Program, VSF.
Or contact Gary Guthman, Union Rep/Negotiator, AFSCME District Council 36 at gary@afscme36.org or (213)248-0381.