Happy Anniversary
SHARE is turning 23! Who would have imagined, back when we voted for our union, in September 1997, where we’d be today? We’re looking forward to more sticking together, whatever lies ahead.
Childcare Concerns
The school year is here, and this year’s unconventional schooling will affect many SHARE families, as well as staffing throughout the hospital. SHARE is involved in the Child Care Task Force that UMass Memorial management set up, and we are having additional discussions about how to help SHARE members.
SHARE has emphasized flexibility and innovation. Senior management is telling department level managers that it’s OK to try new things in order to help SHARE members in this complicated COVID situation.
See more about childcare -- including SHARE’s recommendations -- in this post.
UMass Memorial Flu Vaccine Requirement
SHARE is currently gathering questions and concerns from members about the hospital’s new flu vaccine mandate. If you have input that you’d like to include in this conversation, please contact your SHARE organizer, email share.comment@theshareunion.org, or call the SHARE office (508-929-4020).
COVID Vaccine Trials at UMass Medical School Seeking Volunteers
Are you interested in helping a vaccine trial? UMass Medical School is signing up volunteers for a Phase II/III clinical trial testing a vaccine to prevent infection from the Coronavirus. The vaccine has already passed Phase I testing for safety. UMass is part of a network of 120 centers that will enroll about 30,000 volunteers around the world.
The Medical School plans to enroll several hundred volunteers. Half will receive the vaccine, and the other half will receive a placebo. It’s a “double-blind” study, meaning that neither the volunteers nor the researchers will know who gets which, in order to ensure valid results.
For more information, check out this article on the Medical School’s website.
Free Covid testing
The City of Worcester and UMass Memorial have announced a jointly-sponsored series of free COVID testing sessions around the city. The current list includes:
Thursday, September 10, 1-5pm, Community Healthlink, Inc., 72 Jacques Ave, Worcester
Monday, September 15, noon-4pm, Great Brook Valley, 19 Tacoma St, Worcester
Wednesday, September 16, 2-6pm, Lady of Loreto Church, 33 Massasoit Rd, Worcester
Thursday, September 17, 1-5pm, Community Healthlink, 72 Jacques Ave, Worcester
UMass Memorial Engagement Survey
UMass Memorial is currently reporting department-level Engagement Survey results to employees. If you haven’t yet heard about your results and had an opportunity to discuss them, now’s a good time to ask your supervisor or manager. Figuring out how to improve the culture in your department may not be easy, but talking about these results is an important part of that process. The SHARE organizing staff is happy to help support you in these conversations. Our union’s mission involves continual work toward improving how it feels to come to work. Let’s help put this feedback — your own comments and experiences! — to good use.
SHARE Raise Effective 9/27/20
At the end of this month, SHARE members will receive the 3rd of the 4 raises in our current contract. And don’t forget! Raise time can be a great time to set aside more money in your 401(k), and get even more benefit from the employer’s match. Raise details below:
Wages Year 1 (effective 9/30/18): 1% ATB plus platform movement of 1.93%, or a $0.60/hour minimum raise, whichever is greater.
Year 2 (effective 9/29/19): 1% ATB plus platform movement of 1.93%, or a $0.60/hour minimum raise, whichever is greater.
Year 3 (effective 9/27/20): 1% ATB plus platform movement of 1.93%, or a $0.60/hour minimum raise, whichever is greater.
Year 4 (effective 9/26/21): 1% ATB plus platform movement of 1.93%, or a $0.60/hour minimum raise, whichever is greater
Any amount greater than Max Cap is paid as a bonus. Bonus = (bonus rate) x (hours paid in previous FY, including overtime).
This raise is the only contractually negotiated change upcoming for SHARE members; you can find the full Contract Agreement online.