NOVEMBER 17, 2022
Hello United Museum Workers,
This is Jim Kappas, writing you this update on behalf of your entire Bargaining Committee. We have big news from the bargaining table.
In our last update, we shared with you that we had submitted our economic proposals to CMP management and were awaiting an economic counterproposal from them. We provided them with a package of economic proposals addressing issues we know are important to you, our members. They have given us their counterproposal. It's important to remember that this is just their initial proposal and we, your bargaining committee, will continue to bargain with management to win a fair contract for all of us. With that being said, we expected their initial proposal would be harsh. But after reviewing it, we have to say it’s even worse than we expected.
Management has proposed maintaining both health insurance plans, but at a hefty cost. They propose dramatically increasing monthly healthcare costs. These proposed increases would see an employee’s annual healthcare expenses jump 200 to 500% depending on their coverage. That’s not a typo. We crunched the numbers. The spread sheets are complex, but the take-away is simple. CMP’s initial economic proposal would make an employee choose between paying their bills and keeping their healthcare.
For most of the other benefits, including sick leave, holidays, vacations, and parking, they’ve proposed their current policies with no changes, considerations, or modifications. We took time to craft proposals that took into account the needs of our members and their counter offer on these issues leaves everything exactly as it is. They’ve offered us nothing to address the needs of part-time workers who deserve benefits like everyone else.
On wages, we have called for a Living Wage Now! – a demand we see as not only reasonable but vital. Management’s proposal would eventually raise CMP’s minimum wage to $15.00/hr. but not until after the first year of the contract. After that their proposal offers only 1% a year for the rest of the contract. This is not a living wage now, and with record-high inflation it will never be. And for everyone currently earning $17 or more per hour CMP is offering raises of 2% the first year and 1% each year after that. CMP is proposing to raise the minimum wage for the lowest paid workers at the expense of all other union workers.
In almost all cases, the increased healthcare costs would absorb most of these proposed raises, leaving many with no raise at all. As written, their proposal is an effective pay cut for hundreds of employees, most notably those with partners, children, and families on their healthcare plans. We’re pleased that CMP has made some movement towards a living wage, but we won’t let them do it on the backs of our co-workers and their families.
So what now? As I said above, we will continue to meet with them to negotiate. We represent all of you in bargaining and we need your help. CMP needs to know that we will stand together as one Union to get what we are owed: a fair and equitable contract. This weekend wear your USW button or sticker in solidarity. If you’re not scheduled to work, please join us outside Carnegie Science Center this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. when we’ll ask the public to support our fight for a fair contract.
When we fight, we win!
Solidarity Forever,
Jim Kappas, writing with your Bargaining Committee, on behalf of all United Museum Workers.
This is Jim Kappas, writing you this update on behalf of your entire Bargaining Committee. We have big news from the bargaining table.
In our last update, we shared with you that we had submitted our economic proposals to CMP management and were awaiting an economic counterproposal from them. We provided them with a package of economic proposals addressing issues we know are important to you, our members. They have given us their counterproposal. It's important to remember that this is just their initial proposal and we, your bargaining committee, will continue to bargain with management to win a fair contract for all of us. With that being said, we expected their initial proposal would be harsh. But after reviewing it, we have to say it’s even worse than we expected.
Management has proposed maintaining both health insurance plans, but at a hefty cost. They propose dramatically increasing monthly healthcare costs. These proposed increases would see an employee’s annual healthcare expenses jump 200 to 500% depending on their coverage. That’s not a typo. We crunched the numbers. The spread sheets are complex, but the take-away is simple. CMP’s initial economic proposal would make an employee choose between paying their bills and keeping their healthcare.
For most of the other benefits, including sick leave, holidays, vacations, and parking, they’ve proposed their current policies with no changes, considerations, or modifications. We took time to craft proposals that took into account the needs of our members and their counter offer on these issues leaves everything exactly as it is. They’ve offered us nothing to address the needs of part-time workers who deserve benefits like everyone else.
On wages, we have called for a Living Wage Now! – a demand we see as not only reasonable but vital. Management’s proposal would eventually raise CMP’s minimum wage to $15.00/hr. but not until after the first year of the contract. After that their proposal offers only 1% a year for the rest of the contract. This is not a living wage now, and with record-high inflation it will never be. And for everyone currently earning $17 or more per hour CMP is offering raises of 2% the first year and 1% each year after that. CMP is proposing to raise the minimum wage for the lowest paid workers at the expense of all other union workers.
In almost all cases, the increased healthcare costs would absorb most of these proposed raises, leaving many with no raise at all. As written, their proposal is an effective pay cut for hundreds of employees, most notably those with partners, children, and families on their healthcare plans. We’re pleased that CMP has made some movement towards a living wage, but we won’t let them do it on the backs of our co-workers and their families.
So what now? As I said above, we will continue to meet with them to negotiate. We represent all of you in bargaining and we need your help. CMP needs to know that we will stand together as one Union to get what we are owed: a fair and equitable contract. This weekend wear your USW button or sticker in solidarity. If you’re not scheduled to work, please join us outside Carnegie Science Center this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. when we’ll ask the public to support our fight for a fair contract.
When we fight, we win!
Solidarity Forever,
Jim Kappas, writing with your Bargaining Committee, on behalf of all United Museum Workers.
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