FMC Hawaii Region Negotiations...

[CCHT_8o8]

Our contract expires at the end of September.  The last of the negotiations are underway and yet there is no solid agreement.  If they don't reach a decision by Friday (the absolute last day of negotiations), FMC Hawaii will walk (PCTs and LPNs).  Here is what's going on...

There are 2 independent dialysis companies in Hawaii.  Liberty Dialysis and FMC.  Liberty just renewed their contract not too long ago and settled for 12% (in other words, 4% raise for the next 3 years)  FMC wants to give its staff 6% (2% raise for the next 3 years) which is basically a slap in the face.  On top of that, FMC PCTs have little more job responsibilities than Liberty. 

One big difference between the 2 companies PCTs:
- FMC PCTs (clinical only, not the acutes), job description includes handling CVCs (Central Venous Catheters), while at Liberty, only the RNs are allowed to touch them.  This includes initiation & termination of treatment, flushing both ports for aspiration efficiency, dressing change, evaluation of the exit site, removal & instilling of heparin dwell, and administering heparin bolus. 

- Liberty PCTs are not allowed to touch CVCs in any way. 

BUT...

- FMC does not re-use dialyzers, therefore eliminating the use of renalin.

- Liberty currently practices the reuse of dialyzers.


You would think that FMC would give at least 12% to match Liberty.  FMC is a multi-million dollar company and had promised many things at the last negotiations.  They can't even provide PCTs with the supplies they need, like scissors.  Some of us actually go out and buy our own, yet they can afford flat screen TVs for other clinics???

Liberty PCTs work as on-calls on FMC and vice versa.  No grudges between the two.

A member of FMCs Hawaii Regional Staff has stated that "the PCTs can be replaced with people who work at fast food restaurants".  This is not clear on when this was stated but it has been documented on audio during a meeting, and witnessed by a PCT. 

Let's hope for the best, and prepare for the worst. 



 

[boxman55]

Well...What happened?

[Sluff]

How about an Update..CCHT_8o8

[CCHT_8o8]

So far, Corporate asked for an extension to this Thursday (Oct. 4).  After that, if majority votes no, then we have to give the 10 day strike notice.  As to date, FMC has not presented anything new, and they are insisting that we "deserve" only 9% (3-3-3).  Whoever is the negotiator (can't remember his name but his voice sounds like Mickey Mouse) seems like he does not know what he's doing.  I don't know what's going to happen... they have until Midnight (HST) Thursday to present something on the table for us, otherwise, it's going to be the RNs working double shifts.... keep you posted! 

[thegrammalady]

while i think dialysis workers should be paid BIG BUCKS. my initial reaction to this is SUCK IT UP take what's offered or FIND ANOTHER LINE OF WORK. this is peoples lives you are playing with, SHAME ON YOU!!! that said I THINK FMC SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES AND OFFER A DECENT WAGE INCREASE.

[CCHT_8o8]

Try living in Hawaii on what they pay us.  We need as well as deserve that increase.  Not only that, Corporate has made many broken promises.  I don't think looking for another line of work is an option.  Read up on the topic of "Tech Training" and tell me if you think that's easy to do. 

[thegrammalady]

Try living in Hawaii on what they pay us.  We need as well as deserve that increase.  Not only that, Corporate has made many broken promises.  I don't think looking for another line of work is an option.  Read up on the topic of "Tech Training" and tell me if you think that's easy to do. 

i know living in hawaii is expensive, however no one is forcing you to stay there.  and i think fms should give you a decent wage. what i don't think you or any medical professional or any one in a position where people's lives are at stake should do is strike, no matter what. sorry that's just the way i feel.

[JerseyGirl]

CCHT what do you hope to accomplish by venting your problems on this site for all to see?  I don't get it.  True professionals don't vent on salary issues on a patient's forum.  True professionals don't strike either. You have a problem with salary go work somewhere else.  Health care professionals are all underpaid.  So are teachers.  I've been an RN for 27 years now and believe me if I was in it for the money I would have been long gone.  As someone said before SUCK IT UP and stop whining.

[Zach]

Non-reuse is an important issue for patients.

1)  Is your current base pay the same as Liberty?
2)  Are the FMC techs certified by BONENT, NNCC, or NNCO?
3)  Are your benefit packages better than what Liberty offers?  Good benefit plans can be worth more than $5.00 per hour on top of your pay.

 

[Rerun]

I think they should get the increase.  Do you think that if that clinic wasn't making any money they would give a 10 day notice to patients before shutting the doors!  Hellllll no, we would get a note on the door.

These CEO's make millions and the people at the front lines make very little. 

Teachers and Nurses complain all the time about how little they make.  I disagree.  Teachers get 3 months off plus every holiday plus any other thing they can dream up.  The nurses at my clinic sit and chat half the time while the techs are running their butts off. 

Stand your ground.  FMC is not going to let their "investment" die.  (The Patients)

[thegrammalady]

...well, what happened!!!!?

[Aldente]

First, this is indeed your forum to vent and express your views.  The invitation to the forum clearly states:

Work in the dialysis field as a tech, nurse, admin, or even doctor? Well this section is for you to rant about your employer, a co-worker, dialysis, or even rant about patients that upset you. This is YOUR section, rant on!

Second, threatening to go on strike and going on strike are two different things.  In the past I was opposed to the concept of striking but when I see the obscene salaries that corporate executives make I can't blame employees for taking drastic measures.  Unfortunately labor negotiations never seem to start with any level of honesty.  The company starts with some ridiculous offer to see if employees are dumb enough to accept it.  Employees hold out for some ridiculous package to see if the company is dumb enough to accept it.  Both sides start the process without trusting the other.  The threat of a strike has over the years become a negotiating tool. It's a shame in the healthcare industry that patients get caught in the middle however, don't think for a minute that corporate executives are not betting on the fact that employees will not strike because they care for and about their patients.

I actually like the idea that you leave Hawaii and live somewhere else.  Eventually everyone in your position will leave also and then there won't be anyone to provide your service.  When only millionaires live in Hawaii do you think they will do dialysis tech jobs? Heavens no!  They will then have to fly employees in from Asia or the mainland and fly them back at the end of their shift.  If you think that sounds silly look at Easthampton Long Island.  In this playground of the rich and famous, service workers can't afford to live anywhere near the area so they must be transported in from far locations.  I really don't think that you should have to leave I'm only projecting a worst case scenario.

You are indeed caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place.  I feel bad that you are stuck in such a predicament and hope that all turns out well for you.

[CCHT_8o8]

Sorry everyone that I haven't been updating on the negotiations.  Since that time, I have moved out of Hawaii and into the beautiful state of California.  I am now working for FMC Acutes and DaVita.  We aren't union here and I couldn't be happier.  Last I heard about the negotiations, they have reached an agreement but no contract has been made nor signed.  Everyone voted NO on the last meeting and threatened a strike.  After the realization sunk into them, they wanted a revote and they had to accept an even lower offer than before.  They're even lucky that FMC offered another deal instead of saying "screw you all".  Instead of getting the 5-5-5 deal, they had to accept 4-4-4.  How stupid are they... if only they had read the entire proposal instead on focusing on the salary???  I put in my two weeks soon after I heard the new offer and moved on.  I was fortunate that FMC was able to transfer me in such short notice.  I now make more than ever and I'm more happier to go to work everyday. 

"CCHT what do you hope to accomplish by venting your problems on this site for all to see?  I don't get it.  True professionals don't vent on salary issues on a patient's forum.  True professionals don't strike either. You have a problem with salary go work somewhere else.  Health care professionals are all underpaid.  So are teachers.  I've been an RN for 27 years now and believe me if I was in it for the money I would have been long gone.  As someone said before SUCK IT UP and stop whining."- JerseyGirl


JerseyGirl, next time you post something, make sure you read the description of the sub-forum.  This is a place for me to rant.  Work in the dialysis field as a tech, nurse, admin, or even doctor? Well this section is for you to rant about your employer, a co-worker, dialysis, or even rant about patients that upset you. This is YOUR section, rant on!

Thanks to Aldente who backed me up on that one too. 

[CCHT_8o8]

Try living in Hawaii on what they pay us.  We need as well as deserve that increase.  Not only that, Corporate has made many broken promises.  I don't think looking for another line of work is an option.  Read up on the topic of "Tech Training" and tell me if you think that's easy to do. 

i know living in hawaii is expensive, however no one is forcing you to stay there.  and i think fms should give you a decent wage. what i don't think you or any medical professional or any one in a position where people's lives are at stake should do is strike, no matter what. sorry that's just the way i feel.

Even if they did strike I still would cross that picket line.  I swallowed my pride at the first ever vote and checked the "YES" box, then to find out that everyone voted against me.  Even if I was the only one who was going to show up for work, I didn't care.  I put myself in the patient's shoes and I don't like the idea of not being able to dialyze due to staff shortage because of wages.  Everyone didn't read the whole proposal.  After they had presented it, I told myself that it was actually a great deal.  The company was willing to give raises for different things.  Striking won't pay my rent and at least my job wouldn't be at-will.  I talked to the boss after that "NO" vote and he said that it was a perfect time to "clean house".  He told me that if everyone was giving me sh*t for voting yes then that's harassment.  The hell with everyone who voted no, at least I got out before they settled for something less.  They can b*itch & whine all they want... if they don't like their job then they should QUIT! 

[JerseyGirl]

I still don't see your point complaining about your salary on a patient board.  A forum of your peers perhaps would be better.  I think it's inappropriate and I really don't care if you agree with me or not.  To me some things are best left separate.  There are so many other more worthwhile things to discuss, ie patient education, reaching out to your peers on methods to improve delivery of care, helpful hints, etc  that your salary is low on the list of concerns for these patients.  You must be pretty lonely to have to come here to discuss your compensation problems.

[CCHT_8o8]

I still don't see your point complaining about your salary on a patient board.  A forum of your peers perhaps would be better.  I think it's inappropriate and I really don't care if you agree with me or not.  To me some things are best left separate.  There are so many other more worthwhile things to discuss, ie patient education, reaching out to your peers on methods to improve delivery of care, helpful hints, etc  that your salary is low on the list of concerns for these patients.  You must be pretty lonely to have to come here to discuss your compensation problems.

whatever... this isn't YOUR board so you really have no say... and you really don't have to read anything that i write.  you're the only one who's opposed to what i'm writing... do yourself a favor and why don't you just skip this section of the forums so you don't get irritated. 

[JerseyGirl]

Wah wah wah!  You don't irritate me.  It's the first day of Spring a lovely day, and I get paid quite well, thank you. I guess for you it's all about me, me me!  Have a good day!  Go talk to someone who gives a hoot!  Try channeling your negativity into patient education, making treatments better for those you serve, and becoming a team member.  Next time you want to rant  - take it to your boss!  But you are probably the kind of tech that will rant to everyone and never tell people that can change things. Although with your sunny attitude you probably get low ratings on "self initiative", "teamwork" and "ability to meet others halfway". Tee hee hee! Chow for now!

[JimTLangeinFL]

Rerun: "Teachers and Nurses complain all the time about how little they make.  I disagree.  Teachers get 3 months off plus every holiday plus any other thing they can dream up."

Rerun, if you taught—you'd know that good teachers work seven days a week during the school year and that a typical day lasts 12 to 14 hours. And you'd know that teachers shell out a lot of their own money for school supplies and classroom enhancements. Yes, you are free to disagree, but in fairness you should make an attempt to understand their perspective on "pay per hour." People who judge others without walking in their shoes run the risk of being categorized as irrationally intolerant.

JerseyGirl—It's easy to lose spatial orientation on the Web. Your initial comments would have been appropriate if CCHT had indeed made his rants in a "Patient Forum." But, he made them in a forum reserved for employees, and ranting about one's employer is definitely proper here. Two people corrected you, without condescension. However, instead of admitting your error, you chose to be the condescending one.  If you want your posts to be regarded as credible, try being less corporate and less one-sided.  And listen to yourself... remarks such as "Wah wah wah" and "Tee hee hee" are typical of those with their fingers in their ears or their hands over their eyes or both.  I think you have more class than that, but given YOUR rant, it's now up to you to prove it.

[kitkatz]

Rerun: "Teachers and Nurses complain all the time about how little they make.  I disagree.  Teachers get 3 months off plus every holiday plus any other thing they can dream up."

Rerun, if you taught—you'd know that good teachers work seven days a week during the school year and that a typical day lasts 12 to 14 hours. And you'd know that teachers shell out a lot of their own money for school supplies and classroom enhancements. Yes, you are free to disagree, but in fairness you should make an attempt to understand their perspective on "pay per hour." People who judge others without walking in their shoes run the risk of being categorized as irrationally intolerant..

Oh my Goodness if you really only knew how much time and effort goes into teaching in a classroom. If I tracked it I know I would send lots of overtime hours doing little things for my room and the kids.