Bargaining Update
On Wednesday, August 28, our Allure of Moline Bargaining Team, made up of Chief Union Steward Latrice Davis and UFCW Local 431 Business Agent Danielle Johnson, met with Allure’s Bargaining Team to continue exchanging proposals. We had already agreed to meet with the Employer’s Team virtually on Wednesday to maximize our time at the table. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances on both sides limiting our availability to meet as originally scheduled, we were only able to receive Allure’s responses to our proposals that we had provided via email weeks earlier. Specifically providing our proposals prior to meeting was done in the highest spirit of good faith bargaining, to expedite our upcoming bargaining session (the one held Wednesday) because we have waited long enough to get a new collective bargaining agreement!
Prior to our meeting with the Employer’s Bargaining Team midday, we worked diligently up until our bargaining session began to make sure we could propose counter proposals that reflect the input from membership at last weeks’ meeting. Highlighting some of our highest priorities:
• Wages! Our wage proposal aims to bring our pay back into the competitive regional market for healthcare workers. It also aims to provide us with more substantiative wage increases over the life of the contract (proposing a 3 year contract), to reward the dedicated longevity employees of Allure with a seniority bonus that would be paid alongside your hourly base wage, and to increase shift differentials to current competitive rates.
• A proposal on our health benefits, primarily regarding the Employer contribution rate to make health insurance substantially more affordable for employees.
• Expanding on the previous contract’s personal days and vacation time, increasing the amount of time employees receive and for it to be available as soon as 6 months of employment to assist in hiring bargaining unit employees and retain them, and to be more equitable for part-time employees.
• Proposed increases to the previous contract’s bonuses for retiring and resigning employees, in addition to the Perfect Care and Resident Referral bonuses.
• Proposed adding Christmas Eve as a recognized paid holiday.
In their responses to our proposals, Allure Management made their stance crystal clear – they rejected every single Union proposal. While their wage proposal for all job classifications was better than anticipated, it still falls short of the wages we proposed and deserve! We are eagerly awaiting our next-scheduled bargaining dates on September 12 and 13, which will also be held virtually.
We get our strength at the bargaining table by showing the company how united we all are. DIVIDED WE BEG - UNITED WE BARGAIN! When you stand strong in support of the union and your Union contract that rewards your hard work, you are giving the bargaining team the power we need to keep fighting for all of us.
While we remain optimistic that we can continue to push Allure to agree to a strong contract that rewards our hard work, we will always keep you updated on what is happening at the bargaining table.
Please reach out to your Union Representative Danielle Johnson or Chief Steward Latrice Davis if you have any questions, or need any support. Remember, by standing strong together, we will show Allure the power we have as one union family.
In Solidarity,
Your UFCW Local 431 Allure Bargaining Team