Our first day!

It's the day before Kaiser bargaining starts, and we got an introduction to the elected Common Interests Committee (CIC) and our elected Local Bargaining Team members who are attending as observers all entire bargaining sessions (FIRST TIME EVER!).

Here are some highlights from today:

• There was an overview of the 2005 and 2008 bargaining. This was new information for some and a refresher for others.
  
• There are 95 thousand union members in the coalition, and approximately 45 thousand are SEIU-UHW. When you include Local 49 and Local 105, that brings us to a little over 50 thousand SEIU members represented. Knowing that the 95 thousand Kaiser union members are part of the 31 unions in the coalition is awesome and historical for hospital sectors across the country.
• The local bargaining team will attend sessions as observers and be a part of any UHW caucus. This was agreed upon so the team would have firsthand knowledge of what is going on. We will all be knowledgeable, versed and ready to go when we start local bargaining. All voting will be done by CIC members, with input from the observers.
• There was a healthy conversation about what the new healthcare reform bill means to Kaiser and her unions. We want to know what Kaiser's plans are to get new members that will come about because of the healthcare reform--members that will create more union jobs and job security for us. And what about the 6 million people right here in California that Arnold Schwarzenegger is is talking to the Obama administration about? What is Kaiser's strategy to acquire some of those customers?
• We had a break out about generating and creating positive conversations in the facilities. Here were the point made: Purple up, fly your colors proudly and be seen let our folks know we ARE HERE; UHW leadership should get out to more membership meetings; Stewards should stand up be heard; Don't waste time arguing about the negatives--negative people who support nuhw intentionally distract us from getting our message out! Stay focused on consistent messaging that focuses on the positives of a good contract and the gains of sticking together? That should be our only focal point! Share with each other what works in your facility.

Our collective bargaining goals remain the same:

• No concessions: No monetary increases in our medical benefits.
• Expectation to win decent wage raises and keep income security
• Guarantee job security by having Kaiser deal differently with the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions.

We have not forgotten our theme song from 2000: "WHO LET THE DOGS OUT!"

Shirlee Anne Shirley