At yesterday’s bargaining session, Kaiser management finally responded to proposals we made during the first week of bargaining related to telecommuting and to the introduction of new technology, including Artificial Intelligence. Our proposals provide for collaboration around these two issues, and also include safeguards against AI replacing our jobs and against the employer reducing telecommuting without first substantiating a clear operational need.
In contrast, the employer’s proposal on new technology/AI gives them sole discretion to implement any technological change, even if the change would result in elimination of jobs. And their proposal on telecommuting would allow an individual manager to revoke telecommuting privileges with as little as two weeks’ notice, without providing any justification for the action.
Management also told us they were rejecting our proposal to extend eligibility for the Student Loan Repayment Program from four years to eight years. They made a nonsensical argument that the current program wasn’t working for them because 22% of those who have participated in the program are no longer working for Kaiser.
We gave the Employer new proposals on the following:
- Health and Welfare Benefits for Active Employees – to improve dental benefits, add coverage besides Delta Dental, and increase the annual reimbursement amount from $1500 to $2500
- Health and Welfare Benefits for Retirees – to increase HRA payments from $2000 to $2500 per year of service and to increase one time payment at age 85 from $10K to $15K, in line with what KP is offering other unions, as well as our Southern California colleagues
- LPPC Guideline – to add the already mutually agreed upon guidelines as an appendix to the contract
We also gave the Employer revised proposals on Job Postings and on Non-Discrimination.
