LifePath Bargaining Report #1

Local 13500 has been negotiating with LifePath for a new collective bargaining agreement since April 11, 2011. Despite having met over several sessions, there has been little to no progress to report. LifePath does have serious take back demands that they want to place on our members, including wanting the right to make changes to your Health Benefits at any time, eliminating the FMLA Bank, forcing employees to EAP and reducing the roll of your Union Stewards, among others. The Local has pushed back strongly on these LifePath proposals.

The contract expires June 30, 2011, but without the PA State Budget being in place and not knowing the impact that the Budget will have, the parties have agreed to extend the contract for thirty (30) calendar days after the Governor signs the Budget into law. Any wage increase agreed to will be made retroactive to July 1, 2011. It is truly unfortunate that this is the only agreement that we have come to in these negotiations to date.

Union issues that are on the agenda include:

1) Wages

2) Improve 401K match 60%

3) Premium Pay for Behavioral Homes

4) Night Differential

5) Saturday and Sunday Differential

6) House Rates

7) Cap Health Care premium 10% Single, 20% all other

8) Limit Premium Increase over Life of Contract

9) Hold harmless when moved to lower rated work location

10) Establish Sick & Vacation time (Improve PTO)

11) Inclement Weather

12) Improve Dispute Resolution Process

13) Pay for all hours lost during Investigation

14) Travel Time and Mileage to attend Investigation

15) Mileage and Transportation expense when Administratively Transferred

16) Bulletin Boards

17) Establish Pool Employees

As Bargaining progresses, make sure to call 610-891-7509, the Union Hotline for LifePath members, for the most current updates.

In Unity,

Your CWA Local 13500 Bargaining Committee