12/1/09, 2 a.m., Update:

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of JHH management, I am happy to announce that, after several weeks of meetings with the District 1199E, SEIU, we have reached an agreement covering the period December 1, 2009 – November 30, 2012.  Details of the agreement will be available soon.

As a result, there will be NO STRIKE on Tuesday, December 1, 2009.  Thank you for your patience, support and willingness to care for our patients, if needed.

If you or your employees have any questions relating to the negotiations, please do not hesitate to contact the HR Consulting & Labor Relations office at 410-955-6783.

Sincerely,

Pamela Paulk
Vice President, Human Resources
The Johns Hopkins Hospital

11/30/09 Update:

Negotiations continue today, Nov. 30.  At this time, there are no strike updates, but employees can call the HR job action hotline at 410-614-6383 for alerts and information.

11/24/09 Update:

A special edition of InsideHopkins will be distributed among the E. Baltimore campus beginning this afternoon.  This issue contains details regarding parking, access, important phone numbers, etc.  In the meantime, the pdf version can be viewed online.

11/23/09 Update:

We have been negotiating with 1199SEIU through the month of November.  In our seven sessions to date, we have reached agreement on a number of issues, but have not yet reached a final agreement.  We have another session for Monday, November 30 and are prepared to continue to bargain in good faith until we reach a mutually acceptable agreement.

11/20/09 Update:
Colleagues,

Dear Colleagues,

As you all know, we are in the middle of our triennial union negotiations with the District 1199E, SEIU, AFL-CIO. While we continue to negotiate in good faith to reach a settlement before the contract expiration date of December 1, we are still far apart on reaching an agreement.  We are facing economic pressures and simply cannot give the raises our workers have seen in the past.

The union is required to give a 10-day notice of an intended strike or other job action.  Only moments ago, I received their intent to strike, picket and engage in other concerted refusal to work beginning at 7 a.m. on December 1, 2009 for an unspecified period. Again, we will work in earnest and fully expect to have an agreement before that deadline in hopes of avoiding a strike or other job action.

As a reminder, if there is job action, the Hospital will implement the following measures as contingencies:

•     All Hospital operations will continue uninterrupted and offices will maintain normal business hours. Managers are strongly encouraged to make every effort to allow employees’ time off that has been scheduled in advance. However, if no coverage can be found, the manager is authorized to cancel time off scheduled during the strike.

•     While bargaining unit employees have the legal right to strike, the Hospital must take appropriate precautions to protect fellow employees, patients and visitors. Though we do not expect any problems, any acts of vandalism or violence on Hospital property will be addressed immediately by Security. Individuals engaging in illegal conduct may be subject to criminal prosecution.

•     Employees and managers should consult with department strike coordinators with specific questions or contact the Office of HR Consultants and Labor Relations at 410-955-6783.

Sincerely,

Pamela Paulk
Vice President, Human Resources
The Johns Hopkins Hospital

On behalf of JHH management, I am happy to announce that, after several weeks of meetings with the District 1199E, SEIU, we have reached an agreement covering the period December 1, 2009 – November 30, 2012.  Details of the agreement will be available soon.

As a result, there will be no strike on Tuesday, December 1, 2009.  Thank you for your patience, support and willingness to care for our patients, if needed.

If you or your employees have any questions relating to the negotiations, please do not hesitate to contact the HR Consulting & Labor Relations office at 410-955-6783.

Sincerely,

Pamela Paulk
Vice President, Human Resources
The Johns Hopkins Hospital

As a result, there will be NO STRIKE on Tuesday, December 1, 2009.  Thank you for your patience, support and willingness to care for our patients, if needed.

If you or your employees have any questions relating to the negotiations, please do not hesitate to contact the HR Consulting & Labor Relations office at 410-955-6783.

Sincerely,

Pamela Paulk
Vice President, Human Resources
The Johns Hopkins Hospital