New Labor-Management Committee Meetings to Provide Vehicle for Union, Osco Pharmacists to Affect Change
The Teamsters Local 727 Osco Bargaining Committee made significant movement Friday by withdrawing proposals and referring them for continued discussion in the newly agreed upon Joint Labor-Management Committee meetings.
The union secured language ensuring that the meetings will be held as often as the union and Osco management deem necessary — a minimum of four times each year — to foster communication and seek solutions for pharmacy-based issues.
The union’s staff attorney, Osco business representative and communications director along with pharmacist members will attend the meetings with Osco representatives to voice their concerns, offer solutions and keep detailed records in order to affect change.
“If we create a partnership and discuss these issues throughout the year, we’ll be better able to resolve issues as they come up,” said John T. Coli, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 727. “The union will meticulously document what takes place in these meetings and track the resolution of problems.”
After negotiations conclude, the union will schedule the first Labor-Management Committee meeting as soon as possible.
“This is a huge win for pharmacists and the company to get on the same page and address problems jointly,” said pharmacist steward Michael Trnka, a Bargaining Committee. “It’s become contentious because the company has refused to acknowledge that there are problems. But now, we will have a vehicle to address them. It’s a huge step in the right direction, and we’re going to need pharmacists to speak up.”
The union already has asked to address the following issues when Labor-Management Committee meetings begin:
- Review of tech hours and overlap to ensure sufficient staffing levels
- Job tasks and assignments
- Performance metrics for staff and head pharmacists
- Utilization of floaters in their geographic areas
- Rollout of new company programs
- Changes to company rules or policies
- Part-timers’ hours at base stores
The union will be seeking volunteers to participate in the Labor-Management Committee meetings. If you would like to participate, contact your Local 727 business representative, Zach, Frankenbach, at (847) 696-7500 or [email protected].
