Kaiser National Negotiations Underway – May 7, 2010

May 2010

Negotiations for a new national agreement started in early April between Kaiser Permanente and the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, including UNAC/UHCP. Three multi-day sessions have been held, and a fourth session is scheduled in late May.

Negotiations are being conducted by a 111-member Common Issues Committee (CIC). The CIC is composed of 68 union representatives and 43 KP management participants. UNAC/UHCP is represented on the CIC by Kathy Sackman, RN, UNAC/UHCP President; Ken Deitz, RN, UNAC/UHCP Executive Vice President; Bill Rouse, UNAC/UHCP Executive Assistant; Pam Brodersen, NP, Medical Office President (Downey); Linda Morales, RN, Hospital President (Baldwin Park); and Danny Pollack, OD, KPASCO President (Panorama City).

The CIC work to date has been undertaken by four issue sub-groups: the Labor Management Partnership; attendance; performance improvement and performance sharing programs; and workforce planning and development. In the final scheduled session in late May the CIC will consider the recommendations presented by each subgroup, as well as address wages and benefits. Once the national bargaining phase of negotiations is complete, UNAC/UHCP will begin local bargaining with Southern California management to reach a new, complete agreement before September 30.