April 12th and 14th
The RDH Bargaining Team returned to the table this week for Rounds three and four of negotiations—and we’ve made some progress!
We kicked off the week by signing two Tentative Agreements (TAs):
1. Gender-Neutral Language: Updating contract language to reflect inclusivity.
2. Seniority Language Reorder: This change prioritizes core providers in submitting additional straight time availability up to 18 weeks out, which creates more opportunities for core staff to see their own panel of patients.
We also engaged in in-depth discussions on one of labor’s key proposals: offering flexible and core part-time scheduling options that promote work-life balance, including the ability to downcode hours at key longevity milestones.
While labor emphasized the importance of putting language into the contract to ensure and honor real flexibility and work-life balance, management expressed hesitation. Management prefers to retain full discretion over positions and postings and instead asked labor to “trust” that these discussions will continue to take place in staffing committees. Management suggests we develop creative scheduling options and bring them forward through that committee.
In a strategic move, management packaged our flexibility proposal into one of their key proposals: changes to the current on-call language. They responded to labor’s proposal by introducing three different schedule types and shift options—none of which are enforceable—while proposing new on-call language that significantly increases availability from existing language.
We emphasized that the on-call role has long been the only viable option for our Dental Hygienists who cannot maintain full-time or 10-hour shift schedules. This underscores the critical need to secure contractual language that guarantees real and enforceable flexibility/work-life balance—not just informal conversations or promises.
To date, management has not agreed to any contract language proposals around flexible scheduling for our members.
Other Key Highlights This Week:
- Exchanged several proposals.
- Labor submitted clarification language around CE Leave, Float Holiday, and Flex Personal Day (FPD aka Flex Time).
- Management introduced a new proposal: Mandatory use of Nitrous Oxide—another one of management’s key priorities.
In Summary:
- Two were Tentative Agreements Signed
- Two of Management’s Proposals are on the Table
- Five of Labor’s Proposals are on the Table
Join Us: Tele-Town Hall – This Sunday, April 27th at 6:00 PM!
Topic: RDH Town Hall
Time: Apr 27, 2025 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82535969995?pwd=V5S2PLZciQPfvw6um0cVGXQKdckIYB.1
Meeting ID: 825 3596 9995
Passcode: OFNHP
This Sunday’s tele-town hall will be especially important as we unpack the details of management’s key proposals that could significantly impact working conditions. We strongly encourage every member to attend, especially our on-calls, for updates, get your feedback, and live Q&A.
Our next bargaining session is on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
March 20th
Yesterday, your RDH bargaining team met with management for our first negotiation session. In our opening statement, we made one thing clear: Our patients and communities deserve the highest quality of care—and that starts with a strong contract that empowers frontline healthcare professionals.
We reinforced to management that respect, competitive wages, safe working conditions, adequate appointment times, flexible schedules, manageable workloads, work-life balance, career growth opportunities, and the necessary resources to perform our jobs effectively are non-negotiable.
After exchanging interests, we immediately jumped into the top concern impacting both our dental hygienists and patients—the hygiene templates. We demanded urgent action and secured an agreement to establish a labor-management task force with decision-makers at the table by this Friday. This group will start meeting immediately and biweekly, addressing key issues head-on and reporting back within sixty days. If meaningful progress isn’t made, we will escalate our demands for contract language that enforces change.
Stay informed and engaged—join our tele-town hall this Sunday for updates and live Q&A.
Our next bargaining session is Monday, April 7, 2025.
In unity,
RDH Bargaining Team