Over the last several weeks, UPAMM and the Michigan Medicine bargaining teams have continued to meet twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday).

Because we are negotiating an entirely new contract, our efforts thus far have focused on negotiating the foundational elements of the collective bargaining agreement, such as those stating recognition of the union as the bargaining representative of the physician assistants, and other contract provisions that are commonly found in many collective bargaining agreements that define the mutual rights and responsibilities of the employer and the union. Examples of those contract provisions include: union recognition clause, management rights, union dues deduction, no strike/no lockout, union bulletin boards, non-discrimination, seniority, probationary period, discipline, grievance and arbitration process. 

Additionally, the teams have discussed formation of a labor-management committee.  The purpose of a labor-management committee is to have a mechanism for discussing issues of mutual interest during the term of the contract once negotiations have concluded.  Discussions have focused on how each group envisions this committee functioning moving forward.

As we negotiate all of these contract provisions, we are carefully balancing each team’s respective interests on each issue.  The contract terms pertaining to the disciplinary matters and the grievance and arbitration process form the cornerstone of most collective bargaining agreements and are important to both teams.  As we negotiate these terms, we are carefully balancing PAs interests in due process with respect to employment decisions with the University’s interest in meeting our regulatory requirements when it comes to review of PAs’ professionalism and ability to safely care for patients.

At this point in negotiations, we have reached a tentative agreement on a number of proposals, including: recognition, union dues, lactation support, waiver, and severability.  The tentative agreements are proposals where the teams have completed negotiations and agreed to the terms of the proposals.  All of these agreements are presently considered “tentative” because they are subject to a final ratification vote on the entire contract by the union and do not take effect until that time.

Also, based on recent announcements made within the organization, Michigan Medicine will reinstate retirement contributions for PAs beginning in January.

Most recently, the bargaining teams have begun exploring the concept of negotiating a limited, short-term agreement in the interest of trying to expedite the conclusion of contract negotiations.  This is a concept only, and if this approach is not ultimately feasible, the teams will continue negotiating the full contract.

This update includes negotiation notes from sessions held mid-October through December 2020. The bargaining teams will take a short break from negotiating for the holidays and resume in January 2021. Regular updates will also resume at that time.