Labor Management Committee Meeting Notes

December 9th, 2009

On December 1, 2009, the Company and the Union met in a Labor Management Committee Meeting to discuss issues of mutual interest such as; work place safety, uniforms, scheduling and other Employer and Union concerns. Below are notes from the meeting.

Uniforms

As outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement under Article 20 “Uniform Provisions” the committee discussed the new vest. We reviewed the option and the vest will be ordered.

AMR brought up a need to place an emphasis on the employer grooming and uniform standard as well as Ambulance cleanliness inside and out.

Mandatory Overtime

We had a discussion about mandatory overtime.  The Union provided some proposals to the Employer in an effort to reduce the amount of mandatory overtime. The Employer will take the proposal and review it to see if it is feasible. 

We reviewed the tracking process for mandatory overtime. It appears the Employer is utilizing a procedure that follows the intent of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The Employer said they have hired new employees and until recently those employees were waiting for their EMT certification cards, the inability to put these new EMT’s on the road has contributed to the need for mandatory overtime.

There will not be a new hire class in December - But there will be one in January.

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AMR Contract Update

July 24, 2009

We have received some questions with regard to the process the Collective Bargaining Agreement goes through in order to be signed and when the membership will receive copies of the agreement.

Below is the process and where we are to date:

• The Union has reviewed, proofread and formatted the Agreement.
   
• We have sent four (4) copies to AMR for their review and signature.
   
• Once the agreement progresses through AMR's internal process, the signed agreement will be returned to the Union.
   
• The Union again will proofread the document and confirm that the signed copies returned are the same copies sent to AMR.
   
• The agreement will then be signed by the Local. Copies will then be made and distributed to the membership.

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AMR Contract Vote Update

July 17, 2009

The contract with AMR ratified with a 93% affirmative vote. We also want to report there was a very large turnout of members voting. Congratulations on your new contract agreement! Copies of the new agreement will be available as soon as possible, however, there is still a lot of work left before the final document is ready for distribution.

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AMR Contract Update

June 25, 2009

Local 763 has received a number of questions from members of the American Medical Response (AMR) bargaining unit. These questions revolve around the rejection of a contract that was the result of a tentative agreement achieved through the help of a Federal Mediator. This rejection authorized a strike or work stoppage of this company.

 CONTRARY TO ANY RUMORS CIRCULATING, THERE IS NO SET DATE COMMENCING WORK STOPPAGE OR STRIKE!

What is going to happen next?

There are several things that are taking place. First of all, Local 763 is in the process of applying to Joint Council of Teamsters No. 28 (JC 28) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) for strike sanction. Without these approvals, any strike action would be against provisions of our Constitution. It would be classified as a "wildcat strike" and no members would get strike benefits or support from other Teamsters Locals and in many cases, other labor organizations.

Secondly, we have contacted the Federal Mediator and the Employer in an attempt to schedule a meeting date(s) to discuss this rejection and try to negotiate a solution.

Thirdly, meetings with the members have been set to discuss this situation and listen to your concerns and comments.

Lastly, strike committees are being formed, around-the-clock picket schedules are being worked out, picket locations are being selected, and other details are being ironed out.

What kind of strike will this be if it should happen?

There are basically two kinds of strikes, an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike or an economic strike. The state and federal laws governing labor strikes are different for each. In this case, the strike will be an economic strike. An economic strike differs from a ULP strike because AMR will have the legal right to permanently replace the striking workers.

Am I eligible for Unemployment Benefits during a strike?

You would not be eligible to collect Unemployment Benefits while you are on strike.

Will I be eligible for Strike Pay?

You will be eligible for strike pay from the IBT should the strike be fully sanctioned and approved. However, in order to receive the strike pay you would have to be actively working the picket line shifts as assigned by the Local. The exact number of hours weekly would be determined later. Your dues/initiation fees must be current to qualify for strike pay.

What is the amount of Strike Pay that I would receive and when would it start?

The amount that each striking worker would receive depends on the amount of dues each were paying monthly. The formula for calculating weekly strike payments is four (4) times the dues that you pay monthly. For example, if your monthly dues are $36.00 then the weekly strike pay benefit would be approximately $144.00 weekly, with a minimum of $100.00 These strike payments would start at the end of the second full week of the recognized and authorized strike or work stoppage.

Does Teamsters Local 763 have a strike fund or additional benefits available?

Local 763 does not have a strike fund. We will coordinate food donations through the Puget Sound Labor Agency and to get whatever other help they might be able to assist with.

What governmental agency has oversight and authority over the possible strike?

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will be the federal agency that will make the decisions and any rulings concerning the law as it would apply to this AMR strike.

Will the July 01, 2005 - June 30, 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) still be in effect?

If we are engaged in good faith talks with the company, and not on strike, then AMR must maintain the status quo, however, it needs to be noted that the Arbitration provision goes away after June 30, 2009 and will not return without a new CBA. Of course once the work stoppage and strike commences, there is no status quo or CBA in place and all contract provisions are null and void. We will be at war at that point.

What will AMR do with the regards to the upcoming strike?

It is hard to say what AMR's response will be to this upcoming strike. It is probably safe to say that they are making plans to bring EMTs from other parts of the country to man the units temporarily, maybe permanently, and put in place a worker replacement plan.

What can I do and what plans might I take?

We would recommend that you try to take care of any medical and dental appointments before the insurance coverage runs out. While on strike, you will need to self pay your dues to keep the strike pay active. When the picket line work assignment schedules are finalized, you need to make arrangements if you need child care or other care. The picket duty schedules will be different from your current work schedules. The picketing will take place 24/7 with three (3) or four (4) shifts daily for as long as necessary to win.