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Doctors, Unite—Celebrate Interdependence Day!

June 27, 2018

By Stuart A. Bussey, MD, JD, UAPD President

Today, in the shadow of the Independence Day weekend, the US Supreme Court declared by a 5-4 vote that public union “fair share” agency fees are unconstitutional and not mandatory. They chose fuzzy borders of free speech and association over the gritty reality of free ridership to justify this potential financial blow to labor unions. The Janus vs AFSCME decision marks the final chapter of the 75-year-old “Right to Work” anti-labor law playbook which has progressed through 26 state legislatures. Now the rule is federalized.

Many of the fair share members who did not join UAPD as full members were unaware of the important differences between these two categories. Now after the Janus decision there won’t be any more fair share members, only non-members. There are big advantages to being a full member. Most importantly, when UAPD has a robust roster of full members, committed to the principles of unionism, the employer takes notice. There is strength in numbers. We have greater staff resources. This power leads to more favorable contracts, grievance outcomes, better representation and greater respect for the bargaining unit. Higher membership leads to greater member involvement, optimism, community, and synergy of ideas to improve the workplace. Only full members can participate in contract surveys and bargaining sessions, be on committees, participate in legislation, attend free CME, and enjoy our legal defense fund. There are monetary union perks as well–reduced mortgage payments, rental and insurance discounts, etc.

Corporate and billionaire interests will continue their efforts to deconstruct unions in the US because they see them as one of the last roadblocks to a plantation economy–where there is little resistance to unreasonable and self-serving policies. Where they can pay less and expect more from their employees. Let’s fight back! The words “doctors and union” have been an oxymoron. We traditionally are individualists and have been likened to herds of cats. Following today’s Janus decision, however, we must unite to survive. Stay or become a full member… but don’t turn into a non-member! Seek out a fair and a satisfying workplace by working together.  Please consider this over the long weekend. It is good to be independent, but it is crucial to interdependent.  

Read more about: Featured, News, The UAPD Pulse - By Stuart A. Bussey, M.D.

The Results are In: Congratulations AFSCME 43rd International Convention Delegates

May 4, 2018

The following were elected to serve as delegates at AFSCME 43rd International Convention in Boston, MA., July 16, 2018 – July 20, 2018.  The theme of this year’s convention is, “Rise Up”.

 

Julie B. George, M.D. Department of State Hospitals

Ronald H. Lewis, M.D., F.A.C.P. Private Practice

Milton L. Lorig, M.D., J.D. Private Practice

Rufus W. Moore, M.D. Los Angeles Department of Mental Health

Rosa Nguyen, D.M.D. State Department of Correction & Rehabilitation

Gary Pedneault, M.D Los Angeles Department of Health Services

Shakalpi R. Pendurkar, D.D.S., M.P.H. Gardner Health Services

 

In accordance with the UAPD constitution and bylaws, the UAPD President, Stuart A. Bussey, M.D., J.D., is automatically included as one of the UAPD’s eight delegates.  

Thank you to our UAPD members who voted in this election, the 11 nominees for their effort and enthusiasm on behalf of the Union, and congratulations to our elected delegates.

 

Stuart A. Bussey, M.D., J.D.
UAPD President

Read more about: Featured, News

UC Student Health Doctors Supporting Upcoming AFSCME 3299 Strike

May 4, 2018

Dear UC Colleagues:
 
Next week on Monday, the 7th, to Wednesday, the 9th, AFSCME 3299 frontline patient and service workers will be striking against UC for racial, economic, and gender equality. We have consulted with our UAPD attorney about your potential participation and support of this strike. It is perfectly legal for you to support another union’s activities, including walking their picket lines, as long as it is on your own time. This includes your lunch and break times. What you cannot do, according to article 42 of your MOU is to engage in a sympathy strike or to have an unauthorized absence during these 3 days.  Click the link below for the schedule of the rallies at the various UC campuses. If you have any questions, contact the UAPD for more details.

Click Here For Rally Location and Schedule

Read more about: Featured, News, State of California Doctors, University of California (UC)

Are You in or You Out? Top 10 Reasons to Be a Full UAPD Member

May 24, 2018

By Stuart A. Bussey, MD, JD, UAPD President

With the Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court decision expected in days or weeks, we UAPD full and fair share members face an important decision. The Court will likely decide that public union fair share fees are not legal or collectible and that there will be only two possibilities-full membership and non-membership–Do you fair share fee payors really want to stop paying your fair share fees and become nonmembers, jump ship, free ride? Many of our fair share payors incorrectly believe that because they pay fair share fees of 0.86% of their salary, for union services, that they are full members. They are not. For only .04% more of your salary, you may enjoy UAPD full membership benefits- participating in bargaining, voting for the contract, being on union committees, running for office, free CME and legal consultation. to name a few. Over the last year UAPD stewards, staff, and representatives have been asking you to become full members. It’s not too late to convert over to full membership. Just click on the link at the bottom and fill out the appropriate membership form.

To our doctors and providers who are already full members, you have our unwavering gratitude for your loyalty and service. We need you to recommit your full membership by clicking the link at the bottom of this article and fill out the appropriate membership form. If the Janus decision is adverse to public unions, we anticipate that big money and union busting organizations like the Freedom Foundation will try to contact you. They will argue that you should drop your full membership and not pay any dues money for your union services. That makes no sense.  Don’t listen to them. Would a patient not pay anything for medical services? A patron not pay a shopkeeper for a product? A citizen not pay taxes for government services? New York State has already passed legislation that would make certain benefits applicable only to full union members. California lawmakers are also considering similar legislation. Your membership is critical to our union’s survival! Without your full membership and dues, we cannot provide you with a good contract and representation services. It’s time for us all to acknowledge the value of UAPD.


The TOP TEN REASONS we must remain or become full UAPD members

  1. A Good Union Contract is Your Best Return on Investment- where else can 0.9% dues yield several percent annual salary and other monetary increases? We need a robust staff to bargain for good contracts
  2. Grievances Matter- without adequate resources our representatives cannot comprehensively address and correct contract violations.
  3. Pension and Benefits – We need strong political alliances and resources to maintain good pensions, defined contributions, and health benefits.
  4. Just Cause and Just Culture– The best defenses against capricious discipline and system dysfunction have been negotiated and maintained by UAPD
  5. Time off- Vacation, leave and flexible work hours become as important as money as you age. Ensure UAPD has adequate staff to fight for them.
  6. Relevant Legislation- Whether union, health care, or socially conscious UAPD’s political arm needs membership muscle and resources to advocate
  7. Legal Defense- To supply our members with top legal advice, defense and advocacy we must maintain a superior legal program and consultants
  8. CME and other free perks- only members may enjoy free CME, legal consultation, union plus insurance, discounts on mortgages and more
  9. Leadership and Involvement- only as a member can you become a steward, vote for contracts, serve on union committees, or run for union office
  10. Fighting for Equity in health care- For half a century UAPD has stood for fair treatment of our patients, doctors, and providers. Let’s keep it up!

 

Colleagues, sisters, and brothers, please click on the link below and choose the appropriate Docusign form to commit to full membership. Don’t go it alone and miss out on UAPD benefits.

JOIN UAPD

Read more about: Featured, The UAPD Pulse - By Stuart A. Bussey, M.D.

We Have a Winner! Results of our May Day E-mail Raffle

May 2, 2018

UAPD Members,

I would like to congratulate Dr. Ron Leino of Rancho Santa Margarita. He is the winner of our May Day e-mail raffle and has won a $500 Amazon gift certificate. Dr. Leino works as a Psychiatrist at the UC Irvine Student Health Care Center. We had 149 personal emails sent to our UAPD office and his name was chosen at random.

Your personal emails provide a valuable link between our union and its members. With the impending Janus Supreme Court decision, it is more important than ever to communicate with our members in a timely fashion. If you haven’t already done so, please send your personal email to our Oakland office at uapd@uapd.com. Thanks for all that you do!

 
Stuart Bussey,MD,JD
UAPD President
Read more about: Featured

CSU Victory! A Strong Contract for 2017 -2019

April 25, 2018

Unit 1 unanimously ratified the tentative agreement with CSU.  We are waiting for the May Trustee meeting for the contract to be signed off on.  Pay letters will be sent to the controller in June.   Overall, the unit receives 3% retroactive to July 1, 2017, and 3% in both 2018 and 2019. 

In addition, unit members receive equity based on years of service to get them to the median of the new salary ranges by 2019.  It works out to be roughly an additional 8% for most of our unit members that have more than ten years of CSU service.  The equity pool of three percent was more than any other union was able to negotiate for its members.   We also have 2 new classifications that will help with recruitment and retention and allow the unit to grow.  In total, between 2014 and 2020, Unit 1 will realize a minimum of 19% and a maximum of close to 30%, depending on years of service.  This is quite substantial considering that between 1998 and 2014 there were 12 years where the unit received no raises.

Read more about: California State University (CSU), Contract/MOU, Featured, State of California Doctors

A Quick Update For To Help Everyone Health and Wellness Clinic

April 25, 2018

We had our first pre-meet for the bargaining that will begin this summer.  The clinic is growing but has currently has problems keeping a CMO in the position for longer than a few months at a time. 

We are working on getting the sunshine proposals to HR and their Attorney to possibly negotiate early to not conflict with LA County negotiations.

Read more about: Counties & Non-Profit Clinics, To Help Everyone (T.H.E.) Health and Wellness Centers

UAPD Files Grievance Against San Mateo for Illegal Time-Off Policy

April 25, 2018

UAPD filed a grievance against the County for illegally denying time off to doctors in the dental department.  All of the dentists are women.  Their Dental Director has unilaterally implemented a policy of “only one dentist off at one time” regardless of the clinic!  As a result, UAPD is meeting with County representative to fight the discriminatory impact of this policy.

 

In other news, UAPD members shall be receiving a 3% Cola on May 6, 2018. UAPD negotiated an increase based on CPI. 

Read more about: Counties & Non-Profit Clinics, San Mateo County

Salary Increases for Gardner Family Health Network

April 25, 2018

The UAPD Bargaining Committee reached an agreement with GFHN last Monday, April 9, 2018.  These are the highest salary increases negotiated for our members working at Gardner.  Due to the competitive market in the San Jose area, the employer agreed to market adjustments for each specialty and COLAs for the next three years.  COLAs begin on July 1, 2019 at 2.5%; 3%; and 3%.   A wage reopener is scheduled for 90 days before the end of the 3rd year of the contract.  We also negotiated a 6% base increase for those employees with 15 years or more seniority and we expanded the use of supervising pay of 3%.  We also negotiated increased employer contributions into the employees’ individual Health savings account and paid time off for attendance at UAPD Board Meetings. 

The agreement is currently being ratified by the membership. 

Read more about: Counties & Non-Profit Clinics, Gardner Family Health

Activism On The Rise At Harbor UCLA

April 25, 2018

Activism at Harbor UCLA is picking up steam in the Pediatrics department regarding a wellness in
service as well as in Internal Medicine with the Hospitalist workgroup. Harbor is working
with OVMC to put together a job specification that may help during bargaining. We
are helping Radiology with acquiring the nine radiologists that they need to be at
normal capacity.

We have also received support from Harbor Administration and several
departments to put together in services on topics that reach multiple disciplines.
We are working with Pediatrics, the Hospitalists, Surgery, Radiology, and soon we
will be meeting with OB/GYN.

Recruitment and membership are on the rise! However, we are still dealing with active
anti-union sentiment by several department heads. We are actively working around
them by using the programs discussed below to gain access to the departments.
We are in the midst of preparing a quarterly member meeting at Harbor. It should be
realized in the next month or two.

Read more about: Counties & Non-Profit Clinics, Los Angeles County Physicians