The University of Iowa and AFSCME Local 12
Labor Management Committee Meeting
January 19, 2010
Present: Shannon Bartlett, Tim Cook, Suzanne Hilleman, Kevin Ward, Dave Bergeon, Deborah Conger, John Stellmach, Laurie Hathaway, Bonnie Anderson, Joe Marron, Josey Bathke and Jim Schepker
Guests: Nate Levin, Joni Troester,
December Summary
The summary of the December meeting was presented and approved.
Discipline for HIPPA Privacy Breaches - Nate Levin, UIHC Compliance Office
Nate reiterated UIHC no-tolerance-policy regarding employee breaches of patient privacy. Infractions will be investigated and assessed according to a tier of possible discipline ranging from employees receiving a verbal warning to termination. The recent passage of the HITECH Act (9-23-09) establishes civil and criminal penalties, including fines of up to $250,000 and up to 10 years imprisonment.
Early Retirement
Most of the 112 applications that are currently pending will be approved as each applicant’s separation date occurs.
A new UI early retirement proposal will be presented at the February 4 meeting of the Iowa Board of Regents potentially affecting approximately 1200 eligible employees who will be 55 years of age or older by June 30, 2010. Employees must retire by June 30, 2010; subject to department approval and proven cost savings; benefits are the same as the current early retirement offer.
Workman’s Compensation Clinic Moved to North Liberty – Joni Troester
Effective immediately—state employees injured on the job will be seen at the North Liberty UI Healthworks Clinic. This decision was made by the Department of Administrative Services, not the University of Iowa. Approximately 1000 workman comp claims are filed annually. The University will cover employee transportation costs (mileage or cab service through a University selected company) to and from North Liberty.
Denial of Breaks for Contract-covered Employees
Stellmach noted that UI employees in some departments/clinics are still being denied their right to take breaks.
UI Merit Job-Line Vacancies
Has 36-hr policy with regard to all Merit vacancies changed? UI Job-Line is now advertising for FT positions (40-hr). Bergeon will discuss next month.
Mandatory Unpaid Days (MUD) implementation
A Q&A document created by AFSCME/UI/DAS is going out to HR reps to be shared with department supervisors and ultimately all Merit staff.
- MUD = 40 hours of unpaid leave to be taken between December 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010.
- MUD days must be taken by June 30, not May 31, as announced earlier.
- MUD applies only to regularly scheduled work days.
- MUD applies to all Merit staff, no exceptions.
Merit Seniority List
The Merit Seniority List is posted on the UI Human Resources website biannually. Seniority lists posted to bulletin boards may be outdated.
AFSCME Steward List
Management will be provided with the current AFSCME Steward List.
H1N1 Update
Activity has dropped; the vaccine is now readily available. Effective immediately—the UI is reverting back to the standard policy regarding sick leave usage.
Comments by Jim Schepker
The UI Lab/Mgmt Committee is on task and there is a good exchange of information. Of the labor/management committees he monitors, the UI Labor/Management Committee functions the best.
Next Meeting
February 16, 2010, 2:00-3:30 pm, 202 USB.