Changes to the USA/MTA Sick Leave Bank
By Dan Kibe and Carol Ryan
Any USA member who's been around and awake probably knows that the USA/MTA Sick Leave Bank (SLB) has been chronically running short of days.  The last few years there have been mandatory donations to keep the balance up to the level prescribed in the contract.  Due to problems encountered with this process, it was decided to bargain in changes to the SLB Article (Article 10).  There is a summary of the changes found on the USA website, under "Proposed Changes to Contract for 2007-2008."

All present members of the USA/MTA Sick Leave Bank will donate a sick day every year.  This will be done in the form of 1/26th of a sick day taken every pay period.  It was felt that this would be the least painful and most efficient method of handling the donation.  USA members who currently are not members of the SLB will still have to donate a full day, and have 3 sick days accrued in order to join, because this is consistent with all of us who have already joined.  Once enrolled, new members will also donate 1/26th of a day each pay period.  Recall that the other units had higher mandatory yearly donations and for several years.  And this change was brought up by us, not management.

There will still be 3 open enrollment periods, February, May and October.  This will allow new members to join the SLB, current SLB members to voluntarily donate additional days, and current SLB members to withdraw if they wish.  We are presently in the February open enrollment period; the materials have gone out, and you should have received them.  If you have questions about the content of the SLB article or how the SLB is run, you may contact Dan at danielk@foodsci.umass.edu or Carol at ryan@biochem.umass.edu.  For administrative questions concerning the paperwork, use the contact information on the forms.

A few reminders about the Sick Leave Bank:
Dan's favorite phrase, from the contract article: "The Sick Leave Bank is intended to be used for short term disabilities where the employee has a reasonable expectation of returning to work. It is not meant as a substitute for short or long term disability income protection. "  'Returning to work' means the job you left.  The Sick Leave Bank exists by the generosity of your fellow USA members.  What would you do if there was no SLB?  We all know that the unexpected happens, and that money is tight for everyone in our unit.  But a little forethought is in order.  We strongly encourage you to get Long-term Disability and Short-term Disability to protect yourself. 

Quick survey question:  Is it fair to wait to join the Sick Leave Bank until you know you will have to draw on it?  Should there be a waiting period after you join before you can draw?.  E-mail Dan or Carol with your short answer.


P.s.
The change in sick leave accrual for members of the SLB started in the payperiod beginning 2/3/08.  So it will be reflected for the first time in the check received next Friday.

And as of roughly 2/3, there are 664 USA members enrolled in the Sick Leave Bank, and 310 USA members who are not.  Those of you who are not should think about this before the 29th, and if you currently have 3 sick days, we highly recommend that you join.

thank you for your attention,
Carol Ryan

For the union   by the union

University Staff Association                                      February 14, 2008