MMC Union Bulletin: May, 2008

Your chief stewards have taken action to try to resolve ongoing unsafe staffing problems housewide.  After several discussions with administration in classification and JEC (Joint Executive Committee) meetings, a grievance was filed on April 10th, 2008.  After two weeks, there was no response by management.  As a result, union leadership decided to advance the grievance to second step.  This second step hearing is scheduled to be presented on Monday, May 12th.

2008 Year-to-date figures show 46 unsafe staffing forms turned in to MMC and the Union.  This compares to 2007 YTD numbers of 11 total.  In addition, there have been 176 mandatory shifts assigned for 2008 YTD, in contrast to 205 total for all of 2007.

While we are always willing to work with management to help find solutions, we maintain that our contract contains specific staffing language that is being ignored.  In addition to employee fatigue and potential burnout, patient care and safety is our utmost concern.  We are all looking for ways to provide the finest healthcare possible, increase our customer satisfaction scores, and make MMC financially sound.  Continue to file unsafe staffing forms when it occurs. This is something that must be and should be addressed immediately.