UMass Memorial VAccine Mandate: Management Decides on Deadlines, SHARE Responds
Last week, UMass Memorial informed SHARE that they decided on COVID-19 vaccine mandate deadlines. The SHARE team that is negotiating about this was surprised: up until then, our understanding was that our discussions were waiting for direction from CMS, which is putting out rules about how hospitals must implement their vaccine mandates in order to get paid by Medicare and Medicaid. CMS has not yet released its directions.
The deadlines in management’s plan are quite clear: the grace period to get vaccinated ends November 15th, followed by unpaid suspension, and termination on December 1st. However, there are still many questions.
A SHARE negotiating team of Executive Board members and organizers continues to meet with management representatives to negotiate the terms of this vaccine mandate. Among other issues, SHARE supports:
SHARE members being able to use earned time while suspended from work
SHARE members having a choice of resignation, termination, or a “no fault separation” that has some features of a layoff.
Individual discipline meetings to directly address SHARE members’ individual issues and try to find a solution, with union representation.
Opportunities for rehire if they get vaccinated.
For SHARE members who do not want to get vaccinated and who are struggling with decisions about what to do, this is a very difficult time. SHARE would be happy to talk, and try to help. Contact us at: share.comment@theshareunion.org
Learn More about the Vaccine
SHARE is also advocating for every member to be able to get answers to their questions and concerns. Many of these were addressed recently when SHARE members put their questions to UMass Memorial’s Chief Quality Officer, Dr. Kimi Kobayashi. You can read SHARE members’ questions and Dr. Kobayshi’s responses here.
TODAY at 4:30pm, the hospital will host a panel discussion to address caregiver concerns about the vaccine as they relate to race & ethnicity. Additionally, caregiver questions about pregnancy, breastfeeding, and the vaccine will be discussed by OB/GYN physicians on Friday at noon.
Referral Bonuses for SHARE Members & SHARE Jobs
Did you know that you can get a $3000 bonus if you refer a friend to work at UMass Memorial as a Medical Office Assistant? That’s just one of several referral bonuses currently available to SHARE members. See the full list of jobs and referral amounts in the chart below. If you make a referral, make sure that you and the person you refer both follow the instructions on the Hub so that you can claim your bonus!
