FAQs

Today, leaders may step in to assist during busy times. In a union environment, how and when that occurs would depend on what is negotiated between the union PRMCE.

A union is a membership organization that represents employees in the workplace. A union is a business, but instead of making money by working hard to take care of their patients, they get their money by taking dues out of your paycheck. And while a union can promise anything— including better pay, benefits and job security — there are no guarantees. As a result of negotiations, you and your family could end up with more, the same or less than what you currently have at PRMCE.

The Pharmacy Guild/IAM, a specialized division of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). Its main administrative and union operations are managed from the IAM’s international headquarters in Maryland.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is a U.S. federal agency that enforces the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), protecting employees’ rights to organize, collectively bargain and participate in other mutual aid or protection activities without interference from employers or unions. The NLRB investigates unfair labor practices, conducts union elections and resolves labor disputes to promote a peaceful resolution of issues in private sector workplaces that affect interstate commerce.

The Pharmacy Guild/IAM organizers and other non-employee representatives of any outside organization are prohibited from soliciting or distributing literature on PRMCE property. Therefore, union representatives are not allowed to hand out flyers to patients, visitors or caregivers in the parking lot.

Union representatives are permitted in any area on our campus that is otherwise open to the public. However, The Pharmacy Guild/IAM representatives are not permitted in patient care areas or other work areas where access is restricted to PRMCE caregivers. Employees should be aware that The Pharmacy Guild/IAM frequently seeks publicity or support for its campaigns, and may reach out to patients and visitors, politicians and members of the community. If a patient or visitor asks about the union campaign and you are uncomfortable having that conversation, you should refer them to your core leader.

With a union, things such as pay, work schedules, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment must be negotiated through collective bargaining between a union and an employer. Collective bargaining is a complex, time consuming process that, on average, takes over a year to complete.

By law, they are allowed to contact you, and likely will. We respect your right to privacy, but because The Pharmacy Guild/IAM filed a petition with the NLRB, we were required by law to provide to it a list of all eligible voters and your personal contact information, including your cell phone, home phone, home address and personal email address. Under any other circumstances we would not share your personal information with an outside group.

Yes, but that process will take at least a year and likely much longer. After one year, if there is no contract in place, members of the bargaining unit can petition the NLRB to conduct an election to potentially remove, or decertify, the union. But if PRMCE and the union reach a contract agreement during the first year, or thereafter, you are committed to staying with the union for the duration of that initial contract. Most first contracts last 2-4 years. Additionally, PRMCE is prohibited by law to provide any assistance to employees in removing the union.

No one can predict the outcome of negotiations, including the extent to which outsourcing might be addressed. If you are disciplined or fired for some reason you think is unfair, you can ask the union to file a complaint, or grievance, on your behalf. That does not guarantee you will get your job back or that the discipline will be reversed. It only guarantees a process — called a grievance procedure — and possibly arbitration that would decide whether you can be returned to work or have the discipline removed from your record.

Collective bargaining is a negotiation between a union and an employer to decide things like pay, work schedules, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment. There are no guaranteed outcomes or results in collective bargaining. The union may make promises or comparisons to other hospitals to get your vote, but there are NO GUARANTEES when it comes to what matters most to you and your family, such as:

• Pay
• Benefits
• Shift flexibility
• Other workplace adjustments

As a result of negotiations, you could end up with more, the same or less than what you currently have here at PRMCE. PRMCE is not required to agree to any specific proposals from the union, and that means the union can’t make any guarantees. Collective bargaining is a complex process that is time intensive. On average, it takes more than a year to get to a first contract.

While a union can promise anything – including better pay, benefits and job security – there are no guarantees. As a result of negotiations, you and your family could end up with more, the same or less than what you currently have.

There are no guarantees when it comes to union representation. Meanwhile, the union can use your money to support issues that have nothing to do with representing you in the workplace.

If the union wins the election, every eligible pharmacist will be represented by the union, even if you didn’t vote, even if you voted against it and even if you don’t like the way the union operates.

The outcome of the election impacts everyone, so it is very important that everyone votes

No. Your vote is private. The union and PRMCE will never know who you voted for unless you choose to tell them. This means you can still vote NO, even if you told someone you were in favor of the union.

Yes, you can and should. Signing an authorization card or form does not impact how you vote. You are legally and morally free to vote NO.

If the union wins the election, every eligible employee will be represented by the union, even if you didn’t vote, even if you voted against it and even if you don’t like the way the union operates.

The outcome of the election impacts everyone, so it is very important that everyone votes.

No one can predict the future, but unions have the right to strike during negotiations. During a strike, striking workers receive no pay from their employer. And some unions can even fine you for not participating in the strike or crossing a picket line to go to work.