At this point in our negotiations, the Michigan Medicine bargaining team has submitted a counterproposal in response to a package proposal UPAMM provided for a limited, short term contract as a way of expediting the negotiation process. Under this approach, the teams are limiting their substantive negotiations to a discrete list of topics.  This is an exploratory approach and we remain committed to a fair and comprehensive negotiation if this approach to a limited, short-term contract does not work.

The package proposal attempts to meet some of the priorities for both  respective teams.  The package addresses UPAMM’s interest in pay increases and also addresses administrative time, CME funding, management rights, non-discrimination, bulletin boards, release time, union access to new employees at orientation, seniority and others.

The package proposal also addresses University priorities, including terms that pertain to disciplinary matters and the grievance and arbitration process. It is important that contract language upholds the integrity of our medical staff bylaws, specifically in matters of clinical and professional practice as this holds critical regulatory implications for the University. We are also carefully balancing PAs interests in due process with respect to employment decisions.

The UPAMM team will continue to deliberate over the University proposal this week and the teams will resume joint negotiation sessions next week.