The big news this week is a meeting of the Municipal Labor Committee today. It is a single issue meeting.

The governor and the legislature are considering passing a single payer health care plan for New York State. The devil in this case would be in the details.

In theory, this could be a good thing but in practice there were huge flaws in Obamacare and we are paying for them still. So, we are cautious when it comes to any state plan.

We are now each of us, paying a fee out of our Welfare Fund benefits due to Obamacare. A state plan could, if written wrong, hit us with huge increases in costs in return for worse health care than we now receive.

Thus we are concerned and this meeting is important. We will be there.

If you'd like to listen to this week's newsline as an audio file, click on this link:

AUDIO November 26, 2018

Last week’s general membership meeting attendance was dramatically affected by the snowstorm, but a quorum finally arrived. The meeting and class thereafter were, however, abbreviated to allow those who did come a chance to make it home.

There were three brief discussions of negotiations at the meeting. First, was a review of our own first session on our main unit contract. This was further covered in more detail at the Activists Classroom Training thereafter.

Next, a discussion of a proposal in Albany to set up a single payer health plan for New York State. The Municipal Labor Committee will be meeting this month to discuss the potential impact on our own health benefits of such a proposal.

Finally, we have received a report that CWA Local 1180 has reached a settlement on minimum salaries for their Administrative titles and this will affect our own negotiations if the good news is correct.

Since it is election time for our union, nominations were accepted for all OSA and OSART executive board positions and will remain open to accommodate nominations to be received in the mail.

If you'd like to listen to this week's newsline as an audio file, click on this link:

AUDIO November 19, 2018

We had a bit of bad news last week. Of Patient Representatives voting in their collective bargaining election, 20 did vote for OSA, but 26 voted for DC37. The numbers are small, but our disappointment is great.

Congratulations to DC37 and a very heartfelt thank you to the 20 Patient Representatives who kept the faith and voted for OSA.

The general membership meeting is set for this Thursday at 6pm sharp. We do not expect a long meeting as negotiations have only just started, so the Activists Classroom Training will probably start on time after the meal break at 7pm.

The weather looks to still be reasonable, so we do hope to see you there.

If you'd like to listen to this week's newsline as an audio file, click on this link:

AUDIO November 12, 2018

First, a reminder that the union office is closed on Tuesday, November 6, for Election Day and also closed on Monday, November 12th for Veterans Day.

Now, three items.

First, negotiations went well last week. OSA won some partial victories last contract and we are seeking to continue and expand the Alternate Work Schedule Program and the Furlough In Time of Need Program. The City seemed open and accepting to the idea and that is good. Our request for a Work From Home Option for a small portion of our members was rejected as being more appropriate for City Wide bargaining.

We will amend that demand to seek only a pilot project and see if the City is more accepting.

Financial raises were discussed, but this was just the opening session. Still, it went well.

Next, our Patient Representatives are voting for union representation this week.

Any Patient Rep who has not yet received voting instructions or an access code from the Office of Collective Bargaining, should call OCB at 212-306-7160 and ask for Carrie. Voting can be done online or by phone, but ends mid-day on November 9th.

Finally, we all vote on November 6th. At least I hope we all vote that day. Vote for whomever you want, but do vote. Always, do vote. It frightens the bad guys.

If you'd like to listen to this week's newsline as an audio file, click on this link:

AUDIO November 5, 2018