The University of Iowa and AFSCME Local 12
Labor Management Committee Meeting
October 19, 2010
Present: Tim Cook, Suzanne Hilleman, Jim Schepker, Andy Cooper, Michelle Dixon, Gary Stockinger, Joe Marron, Mark Atwood, Ellen Twinam, Dee Gansamer
Absent: David Bergeon, Shannon Bartlett
Guest: John Stellmach, Richard Saunders, Jan Gorman, Nicole Studt, Nancy Kroeze
Review Summary of September Meeting prepared by the Union
Liz Christiansen will be providing the Sustainability presentation when updated.
Open Enrollment Dates – Richard Saunders,
Open enrollment for Merit staff is from October 29 – November 29. Information regarding the 2011 benefits is located at http://www.uiowa.edu/hr/benefits/enroll/merit/index11.html
Open enrollment for P&S Staff and Merit Supervisory/Exempt Staff if from October 29 – November 21 and information regarding 2011 benefits is located at http://www.uiowa.edu/hr/benefits/enroll/fpsmse/index11.html
UIHC Policy – 2 Hours of Sick Leave for Routine Appointments
Issue was raised by the Union that two hours was not long enough for some medical appointments. The two hours is a general rule from The University of Iowa Operations Manual in Chapter 22.3 regarding routine medical appointments.
“Medical and dental appointments which cannot be arranged for off-duty hours are to be charged against sick leave unless other rules apply. Generally, an absence for routine medical and dental care should not exceed two hours”.
Staff are envouraged to talk to their supervisor prior to the appointment (preferably at the time of the request for time off) about how much time will be needed for travel to/from the appointment and the appointment itself.
Nursing Mothers Amendment to FLSA – Nicole Studt
Break time requirements for nursing mothers took effect with the PPACA was signed into law on March 23, 2010. Employers are required to provide a reasonable amount of break time to express milk as frequently as needed by the nursing mother. Employers are not required under the FLSA to compensate nursing mothers for breaks taken for the purpose of expressing milk. However, where employers already provide compensated breaks, an employee who uses that break time to express milk must be compensated in the same way that other employees are compensated for break time.
Pumps are available for employees to check out and pump parts are available for employees to purchase at cost. Additional information and location of Lactation Rooms at The University of Iowa can be found at http://www.uiowa.edu/hr/famserv/lactation.html.
If anyone has questions, they can contact Nicole Studt at 335-1371 or familyservices@uiowa.edu.
Veteran’s Day – Kevin Ward
The following email was sent out to all staff on September 30, 2010 from Kevin Ward regarding Veteran’s Day.
To: All University Faculty, Staff, and Student Employees
RE: Veterans/Veteran's Day
During the 2010 Legislative session, the Iowa Code was amended by House File 2197 to provide employees who are veterans with time off for Veteran's Day, November 11, if the employee would otherwise be required to work. Employees are to provide at least one month of notice if they intend to request time off, and employers may only deny requests if granting the time would impact public health or safety, or would cause the employer to experience significant economic or operational disruption.
University employees who are veterans (as defined in 35.1 of the Iowa Code), as found at http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/CoolICE/default.asp?category=billinfo&service=IowaCode&ga=83 may request time off on Veterans Day by following their normal procedures to request time off a month or more in advance. They may be asked to verify their veteran's status if there is any question. The legislation does not provide additional pay for Veteran's Day, so those who accrue vacation may utilize accrued time to remain in paid status (utilizing one of the unscheduled holidays incorporated into vacation accrual). The University will continue to operate on Veteran's Day, in order to provide uninterrupted services to students, patients and the community.
Please contact your supervisor or Human Resource Representative with any questions you may have regarding this option for veterans.
Kevin D. Ward
Assistant Vice President for Human Resources Administration
Veteran’s who wish to take Veteran’s Day off need to request vacation 30 days in advance of November 11 per the Iowa Code above. Employees will use accrued vacation to remain in paid status.
Information Requests
Hours worked by 90% workers at UIHC
Because of the short notice of the data request for the 90% workers, data will be shared at a later date.
Interface between CMS workers and UI Workers
A meeting will be scheduled to discuss CMS and obtain information requested by the Union.
Other
Information from Suzanne Hilleman regarding the installation of the new hand dryers around campus.
We have Dyson hand dryers installed at Dental Science Building, Stuit Hall, USB (just started). We will be installing 358 units in 19 buildings. The next building after USB will be Chemistry. Bill Ciha will be prioritizing the buildings for installation with input from the Zone Managers and Custodial Facilities Coordinators.
Jim’s comments:
Encouraged group to continue with labor management meetings through holiday and bargaining to continue with relationship building. Shared the “Trust and Appreciative Inquiry Questionnaires” document with the group.
Next meeting is scheduled for November 16, 2010
Meeting adjourned at 3:33 p.m.