Unions file unfair labor practices complaints against city
By
New Hampshire Union Leader
The complaints were filed
"We have been in negotiations and have been willing to talk about anything at any time," said
According to the complaints, in March of 2017 Jane Gile, human resources director for
In a letter dated
"The initial changes were supposed to be administrative in nature but have not turned out that way," said Duval. "Some medications that members have been on for years are being taken away even though their physicians agree they need to be on them. Initially this was to be for new conditions and medications, but that has not been the case."
According to the complaint, another meeting was held on
Duval said after
"It shows a total disrespect for the process and the employees that work so hard for the city," said
"In reality there are only two scenarios that could have occurred," said
"The city instituted common sense changes in the administration of its prescription drug program in an effort to eliminate unnecessary and wasteful spending," said Gile. "These administrative changes have had no material impacts to employees. The administrative changes that the city implemented are the very same changes
Mayor
"I believe it's in the best interest of the city of
"The most disturbing issue for our members is that some of these medications are truly life saving and are now being denied and the members need to start over," said Duval. "But just as upsetting to the members and especially the leadership of the unions is the fact the HR Director feels she can implement these changes on her own and bypass the collective bargaining agreement."
"The city believes it is in the best interest of labor and management to work together to implement these common sense administrative changes that will help to ensure that the city can continue to provide its employees with excellent health insurance coverage well into the future," said Gile. "The city is hopeful that the unions will work with the city to resolve this dispute through ongoing negotiations or the use of the dispute resolution process."
In the complaint, the unions are asking the Labor Board to force the city to cease and desist from enforcing the changes and "make any member that has suffered financially whole."
No date has been set for the labor relations board to hear the complaint.
Public Safety Labor Manchester Local and County Government
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