Contract

HOA CONTRACT

INTRODUCTION

1

The Regents of The University of Michigan, hereinafter called the "Employer", and The University of Michigan House Officers Association, hereinafter called the "Association", enter into the following agreement this 1st day of July, 2023, and in which this collective bargaining agreement, as amended and fully bargained, settles and contains all matters with respect to wages, benefits, and hours and other terms and conditions of employment for the term of the agreement:

ARTICLE I. DESCRIPTION OF BARGAINED-FOR UNIT

2

The Employer recognizes the Association as the sole and exclusive bargaining representative for the purposes of collective bargaining with respect to wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment for all Employees in the following bargaining unit: All House Officers employed by the Regents of The University of Michigan possessing the equivalent of a minimum of an M.D., D.O., or D.D.S. degree, excluding pharmacy interns, dietetic interns, physical and occupational therapy trainees, nurse anesthetist trainees, chaplaincy interns, and all other employees. Also excluded from the bargaining unit are individuals with House Officer titles who have dry appointments and are paid by an entity external to the University.

3

A House Officer shall be a physician or dentist who is in a recognized training program and whose normal duties, under the direction of either the attending, courtesy, and/or honorary staff, are to admit patients to the hospital, diagnose or treat patients, and assume all the functions and responsibilities of the House Officer staff including, when appropriate, emergency case service and consultation assignments. House Officers, collectively, shall be known as the House Officer Staff.

4

For House Officers engaged in certain research activities, see MOU XI regarding membership in the bargaining unit.

5

The terms "Employee" and "Employees" used in this Agreement (except where the context indicates otherwise) shall mean a House Officer or House Officers and only identifies those individuals within the bargaining unit described in Paragraphs 2-3.

ARTICLE II. TERM OF AGREEMENT

6

The House Officers agree to an overall contract length of 4 years.

7

This Agreement shall become effective on July 1, 2023 and shall remain in force and effect until and including June 30, 2027. It is understood that both parties agree to begin negotiations of a successor Agreement no later than sixty (60) calendar days prior to the expiration of this agreement, unless mutually agreed otherwise. A Management/Association meeting can be scheduled by either party to review the implementation status of this Agreement.

For The Regents of
The University of Michigan

Hakim Berry

Wade Baughman

Chris Rupkey

Scott Gitlin

Scott Marquette

Sapan Ambani

Laura Hopson

Marc Thorne

Lisa Miller

Sarah Diebel

The University of Michigan
House Officers Association

Kyle Johnson

Matt Basinger

Sam Schuiteman

Robin Tarter

Steven Smith

Dominic Barbato

ARTICLE III. COMPENSATION - SALARY

8

The total compensation package is composed of salary and benefits. The salary component includes a contract increase (a yearly increase at each HO level) and a promotional increase (movement from one HO level to the next HO level). The benefits include the payment to encourage savings ("lump sum payment"), long-term disability insurance, life insurance, dental insurance, business travel accident insurance, professional liability insurance, legal plan, vision plan, and health insurance.

9

The salary schedule for house officers is based on an incremental increase as the house officer is promoted from year to year. A house officer will receive a promotional increase upon satisfactory completion of an academic training year as determined by the program. If a house officer's training year does not follow the standard academic year, the house officer will receive the contract increase at their current level until they receive their promotional increase upon completion of their academic training year (12 months). The salary schedule for each house officer is depicted in the table below.

10

Table 1

House Officer Salary Schedule for July 2023 through June 2027
HO LEVEL FY24 7/1/2023 FY25 7/1/2024 FY26 7/1/2025 FY27 7/1/2026
HO I $70,000 $72,275 $74,624 $77,049
HO II $72,800 $75,166 $77,609 $80,131
HO III $75,712 $78,173 $80,713 $83,336
HO IV $78,740 $81,300 $83,942 $86,670
HO V $81,890 $84,552 $87,299 $90,137
HO VI $85,166 $87,934 $90,791 $93,742
HO VII $88,572 $91,451 $94,423 $97,492
HO VIII $92,115 $95,109 $98,200 $101,392
HO IX $95,800 $98,913 $102,128 $105,447

11

House Officers shall be paid a monthly salary in accordance with the salary schedule and subject to the following requirements and limitations:

12

Initial assignment of a House Officer to a salary level, as set forth in Table 1 (Paragraph 10), including assignments when a House Officer has changed from one residency program to another, shall be determined by the GME Office. In making this determination, factors considered will include relevant and satisfactory training and experience. Subsequent assignments to a salary level in a given residency/fellowship program shall be to the next higher level and shall be determined by the Program Director, on the basis of satisfactory experience, level of performance, and acceptance of responsibility.

13

When determining the initial assignment of a House Officer to a salary level where the House Officer has received international training the GME Office will count these years of international post-graduate medical training if they meet the following criteria: 1) they have successfully completed the program (partial credit is not provided); 2) the training can be translated as an equivalent to US GME training (ACGME-I accredited or US accreditation is available through the ACGME/CODA/ABOG); and 3) the US Board accepts the training to apply for US Board certification (a copy of the correspondence with the Board, or copy of the Board specific guidelines, must be provided).

14

When a current House Officer is changing from one residency program to another, after consultation with the GME Office, the Program Director, or equivalent level of supervision, will discuss the appropriate salary level with the House Officer prior to assignment to a salary level. In order to receive credit for prior GME training, the House Officer must successfully complete an accredited program in its entirety (accreditation must be through the same governing organization as the University program). Partial credit for participation in a program will not be provided and those years will not count toward the assignment of a salary level. However, if the Board of the specialty entering will provide credit for previous training to the new specialty, then the credit may be provided. This assignment will be confirmed in writing.

15

No later than the end of the second full week of employment, an Employee may request an advance on the salary which will be due for the first full month's employment. In the event of such an advance, the advance will be offset against either that month's salary or the next month's salary. Employees will be provided with information by the Employer regarding this option prior to or during orientation.

16

In addition to the House Officer salary and payment to encourage savings, an individual House Officer may be granted discretionary supplemental payments, rewards or reimbursement by their department. Such payments may be used as recognition of a House Officer's professional growth and development and/or contribution in supporting the University of Michigan Health System's goals and interests. This may be used for recruitment to faculty positions.

SECTION A. CHIEF RESIDENT SUPPLEMENTAL SALARY

17

A House Officer who is appointed as a Chief Resident consistent with SPG 201.10 and the Employer's established guidelines, which may be amended by the Employer from time to time, shall receive additional salary during the appointment period. The amount of a Chief Resident stipend shall not be less than $4000 per appointment year during the term of this agreement. In the event that more House Officers are offered and accept Chief Resident appointments in a particular program than the number of Chief Resident stipends allocated to that program pursuant to the Employer's guidelines, the funds available will be evenly divided among all Chief Resident appointees in the program, resulting in each Chief Resident receiving less than the full stipend amount specified in this paragraph; or in the alternative, the program may, at its discretion, provide additional funding through its department short code, so that each Chief Resident receives $4000.

SECTION B. GRANT-FUNDED INCOME/IMPACT ON PRE-TAX BENEFITS

18

During an Employee's period of employment, they may be funded from a grant from which no income taxes are withheld. In this situation, the Employee may not be able to enroll in, or continue to participate in, some Flex Benefits, which are provided on a pre-tax basis. Without income tax being withheld, there is no basis for providing a pre-tax benefit.

19

The Employer will communicate the implications of the training grant funding on the Employee's tax liability and benefit eligibility during their initial orientation. Further, all House Officers will receive information regarding this situation annually with their Open Enrollment materials.

SECTION C. HOLIDAY PAY

20

For the purposes of this Article, the following are defined as House Officer holidays:

  1. New Year's Day (January 1st)
  2. Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
  3. Independence Day (July 4th)
  4. Labor Day (First Monday in September)
  5. Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November)
  6. Day after Thanksgiving (Fourth Friday in November)
  7. Christmas Eve (December 24th)
  8. Christmas Day (December 25th)
  9. New Year's Eve (December 31st)
  10. House Officer's Birthday

21

A holiday will commence at 12:00 AM on the calendar date of the holiday and will continue for the twenty-four (24) hour consecutive period until 12:00 AM the day after the holiday.

22

To the extent practicable, the Employer will try to schedule these days free of responsibilities for House Officers. Each program will continue to maintain and communicate procedures for House Officers to submit requests or preferences for specific dates off, including Holidays. However, Programs retain discretion to determine how many House Officers may be scheduled off work on any single day.

23

In the event that a House Officer is assigned any responsibilities by their training program (including on-call, inpatient service coverage, clinics, rounding, jeopardy, home call, back-up, etc.) on a House Officer holiday as defined in paragraph 20 and work hours are entered into MedHub, they will receive an additional 1/365th of their annual salary as compensation. The House Officer will receive this compensation regardless of total number of hours worked or location. House Officers are eligible for holiday pay for each House Officer holiday worked throughout the year.

24

If a House Officer's Birthday falls on another House Officer holiday, it shall be observed on another day mutually agreeable to the House Officer and their Program Director, and that House Officer will be eligible for holiday pay if they have any assigned responsibilities by their training program on that agreed-upon date.

25

Because other days may be of more significance than the contract defined Holidays, each House Officer shall receive an annual lump sum "Holiday Payment" equivalent to the amount of two (2) paid holidays. The Holiday Payment shall be calculated as 2/365th of the House Officer's current salary. The Holiday Payment shall be paid by regular payroll in the month of January of each year. A House Officer must be employed on the date the Holiday Payment is to be paid in order to be eligible for the Holiday Payment. The Holiday Payment shall be pro-rated based on the House Officer's appointment fraction on the date the payment is made. A House Officer who is on a paid Leave of Absence on the date the payment is made will receive the Holiday Payment. A House Officer who is on and unpaid Leave of Absence on the date the payment is made will receive the Holiday Payment within sixty (60) days of their return to work.

26

A House Officer will receive Holiday pay no later than the payroll date of the second month following when the House Officer holiday occurred (e.g. December 24th, 25th and 31st would be paid no later than the February payroll). The GME Office will run a MedHub work hour report to identify the House Officers that worked a holiday #1-9 from paragraph 20 and collaborate with Payroll to have the Holiday pay processed. The House Officer will receive 1/365th of their salary at the time of the processing of the Holiday Pay. House Officers are responsible for ensuring work hours are reported within MedHub within the open reporting period.

27

For birthday holiday pay, the training program must process the Holiday pay through the PAR process. The House Officer must submit a notice of eligibility for holiday pay to their Program Director or designated program official within sixty (60) calendar days of their birthday when they were assigned responsibilities by their training program on their birthday.

28

For House Officer #1-9 Holiday from paragraph 20 where the House Officer was assigned jeopardy or back-up by the training program and not called-in, the Program Administrator, or their designee, will automatically process the holiday pay through the PAR process. Recording of work hours is not required when assigned as the individual to provide coverage should a colleague be unable to report to work (i.e. jeopardy or back-up). Any question regarding eligibility for holiday pay will be resolved by a House Officer's Program Director.

ARTICLE IV. COMPENSATION - BENEFITS

29

As of the effective date of this agreement, all benefits provided in this Article are effective upon the first day of employment at the University, and House Officers shall have 30 days from the date of employment to enroll. Each plan shall be as provided by the Employer and may be amended, including the effective date(s) or enrollment period(s), but not eliminated. In the event of changes in benefits, the Association will be notified prior to the effective date of the change. Other qualified adult benefits have been extended to this bargaining unit.

30

During the term of this Agreement and consistent with the terms of each plan, the following University Group Benefit Plans shall be available to the extent provided in this Article:

SECTION A. HEALTH INSURANCE

31

During the term of this Agreement managed care and fee-for-service health insurance plans that include medical and prescription drug benefits equivalent to existing coverage in effect at the execution date of this Agreement will be provided and maintained.

32

The Group Health Insurance Plan shall be as provided by the Employer in the same manner and to the same extent as provided to non-bargained for employees.

33

If, during the term of this Agreement, a federal or state law is enacted which requires the payment of taxes or premiums to either the federal or state government or another entity for hospital or medical benefits for employees, the University may make such adjustments in the schedules of benefits provided by this Article to avoid duplication of benefits. In addition, any such taxes or premiums paid by the University shall be included in the total dollar limitation provided in this Article.

34

Employees who do not enroll in a health insurance plan within thirty (30) days of the eligibility date will be automatically enrolled in the BCN Premier Care Plan.

SECTION B. LIFE INSURANCE

35

The University Life Insurance Plan and the Optional Life Insurance Plan, shall be as provided by the Employer in the same manner and to the same extent as provided to non-bargained for employees. The amount of life insurance coverage selected by an Employee may range from five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) at the minimum to an amount equal to eight (8) times the Employee's salary ($1,500,000 maximum). Newly hired or newly eligible Employees will be enrolled in the University Life Insurance Plan for $30,000 in coverage at no cost to the Employee. Both plans offer a portability provision.

36

The cost of the Optional Life Insurance Plan is determined by the amount of coverage selected, current age, smoking status and current salary. The amount of coverage chosen and its cost will increase when salary is increased. The cost will also increase when moving into the next higher age bracket. The Employee pays the full cost, in the same manner and to the same extent as provided to the non-bargained for employees.

37

The Dependent Life Insurance plan shall be as provided by the University in the same manner and to the same extent as provided to the non-bargained for employees.

SECTION C. DENTAL PLAN

38

During the term of this Agreement, the Employer shall provide a dental insurance plan to Employees who qualify. The Dental Plan shall be as provided by the Employer in the same manner and to the same extent as provided to the non-bargained for employees. Employees have a choice of three (3) dental plan options. During the term of this Agreement, no less than the University of Michigan Dental Plan, Option 1 (one) schedule of benefits in effect at the execution of this Agreement will be provided and maintained. In the event of any changes in the benefits, the Association will be notified prior to the effective date of changes. The Employer contribution toward dental plan coverage will be provided in the same manner and to the same extent as provided to the non-bargained for employees.

SECTION D. LEGAL PLAN AND VISION PLAN

39

The Group Legal Plan and a Vision Plan shall be as provided in the same manner and to the same extent as is provided to the non-bargained for employees. No matter concerning the above benefits will be subject to the Grievance and Arbitration Procedures of this Agreement, except for questions concerning compliance with the specific provisions of this Article and whether or not the Employees have coverage in accordance with the terms of the Flexible Benefits Plan.

40

From the first day of employment, all new House Officers have 30 days to enroll in The University of Michigan Dental Plan, The Group Legal Plan, and the Vision Plan. Specifically, those who were enrolled in the University of Michigan Medical School prior to appointment shall have 30 days from the time of appointment to enroll in these plans.

SECTION E. BUSINESS TRAVEL ACCIDENT INSURANCE

41

During the term of this Agreement, the Plan shall be without cost to the Employee. Worker's Compensation forms are required to be submitted should the House Officer be injured and unable to perform their regularly assigned duties as a result of traveling to a required rotation or assignment on behalf of the Employer.

42

In addition to the Business Travel Accident Insurance, House Officers are covered for accidental death and dismemberment benefits under the Critical Care Transport Insurance Plan at the same level that is provided to the regular instructional physicians.

SECTION F. PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE

43

Professional liability insurance will be provided and maintained throughout the statute of limitations for claims filed for professional activities undertaken in the scope of employment, assigned by the Employer.

SECTION G. LONG TERM DISABILITY PLAN

44

The Employer will provide Long Term Disability coverage for House Officers consistent with the Unum Plan or other carrier, as discussed by the parties. In addition, if during House Officers' employment, they are determined to be qualified for coverage under this Plan, any waiting period will be funded by the Employer as set forth in paragraph 45 below. Any remaining legal issues will be resolved by representatives of the plan administrators and the Employer. The description of the HOA Disability plan can be obtained by contacting the HOA Office.

45

A House Officer who has qualified for the HOA Long-term Disability (LTD) Plan shall be paid during the six (6) month elimination period. The elimination period begins with the House Officer's first day of absence and may run for a consecutive six (6) months or may consist of intermittent periods of absence. The elimination period will run concurrently with any paid time provided to the House Officer pursuant to Article XIII, Paid Time Away, Section B, Serious Illness Leave (Short-Term Disability). In no case will a House Officer receive more than six (6) months paid leave time in any twelve (12) month period.

46

Post House Officer Appointment - An Employee, who becomes a regular staff member immediately following completion of service in this bargaining unit, or following continued training under a recognized training grant (e.g., N.I.H.), will have continuous years of service in this bargaining unit and the period of training, count toward the continuous service requirement of the Employer's Disability Plan, provided, however, that a recommendation to become a regular staff member following the training has been approved in writing by the appropriate department chairperson or equivalent level of supervision prior to the beginning of the continued training. In addition, the period of such training will count towards the continuous service requirement for an Employee who returns to the bargaining unit immediately following completion of the training.

47

No matter concerning the terms of any of these plans shall be subject to the Grievance and Arbitration Procedure of this Agreement, except for questions concerning the specific provisions of this Article.

SECTION H. PAYMENT TO ENCOURAGE SAVINGS

48

In order to encourage and support the establishment of a voluntary savings plan, all House Officers will receive a lump sum payment, equivalent to a stated percentage of base salary on the November pay date each year. This provision is intended to be an on-going and recurring program. The HOA and the Employer have agreed to consider the lump sum payment as a benefit. As such, this payment will not be considered a part of base salary, but is considered part of the total compensation package. Annual Payments to Encourage Savings are listed below in paragraph 51 of this agreement.

49

A House Officer on paid leave at the time the lump sum payments are processed will receive their lump sum. A House Officer who is on an unpaid leave of absence at the time the lump sum payments are processed will not be eligible to receive the lump sum payment. If the House Officer returns to the training program from unpaid leave prior to June 30 of the same fiscal year, the House Officer will receive a 50% lump sum payment within sixty (60) days of their return.

50

Lump sums payable under this Article will be pro-rated for appointments less than a 100% FTE based on the appointment fraction at the time the payment is processed.

51

Lump Sum Payment Table

Lump Sum Payment Table
HO LEVEL FY24
11/30/2023
FY25
11/30/2024
FY26
11/30/2025
FY27
11/30/2026
HO I $7,000 $7,227 $7,462 $7,705
HO II $7,280 $7,516 $7,760 $8,013
HO III $7,571 $7,817 $8,071 $8,334
HO IV $7,874 $8,130 $8,394 $8,667
HO V $8,189 $8,455 $8,730 $9,014
HO VI $8,516 $8,793 $9,079 $9,374
HO VII $8,857 $9,145 $9,442 $9,749
HO VIII $9,211 $9,510 $9,820 $10,139
HO IX $9,580 $9,891 $10,213 $10,545

ARTICLE V. HOUSE OFFICERS ON GRANT FUNDING

52

Some House Officers may be appointed to a position that is funded by a grant. In this case, the annual salary rate paid to the House Officer may be greater than (but not lower than) the established annual base salary rate identified in Table 1, Paragraph 10. In such a case the following standards apply to eligibility for the annual lump sum payment to encourage savings:

53

If the salary rate paid under the grant appointment, is greater than the sum of the annual House Officer base salary (see Table 1, Paragraph 10) plus the amount of the annual lump sum payment as defined above, then no further lump sum payment shall be made.

54

If the salary rate paid under the grant appointment is greater than the annual House Officer base salary (per Table 1, Paragraph 10), but less than the sum of House Officer base salary plus annual lump sum amount, then a further lump sum payment shall be made. The amount of the lump sum payment will be enough to match the total compensation that is paid to a full time House Officer, at the same House Officer level, who is not on a grant-funded appointment (base salary, plus "lump sum payment" per the salary schedule).

55

In no case shall a full time House Officer's total annual compensation be less than the sum of the annual base salary plus the amount of annual "lump sum payment".

ARTICLE VI. INVESTMENT WORKSHOPS

56

The Benefits Office will schedule workshops regarding investment options for the House Officer savings plan. Individual advisement sessions may be arranged. TIAA/CREF, and Fidelity will be the preferred providers.

ARTICLE VII. FINANCIAL AID OFFICE COUNSELING

57

The Medical School Financial Aid Office will offer a program of financial and debt management counseling for House Officers. Hours will be by appointment during designated hours or as arranged individually.

ARTICLE VIII. WORK HOURS/WORK SCHEDULES

58

With respect to House Officer work schedules and release time, the Employer is responsible for remaining in substantial compliance with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requirements.

59

Clinical and educational work hours are defined within the ACGME Common Program Requirements. The Employer is responsible for addressing areas of non-compliance in a timely manner. The House Officers are responsible for timely and accurate submission of their work hours. The Employer and Association agree that work hours include all clinical and educational activities related to the residency/fellowship program; i.e., patient care (both inpatient and outpatient), administrative duties relative to patient care, the provision for transfer of patient care, time spent in-house during call activities, and scheduled activities such as conferences. Clinical work done from home, such as charting in the EMR and patient-related phone calls must count towards the clinical and educational work hour limit. At-home call, defined as call taken from outside the House Officer's assigned site, is not included in the clinical and educational work hour calculations except for time spent in active patient care responsibilities as described in the preceding sentence. Time spent on clinical or educational activities on the hospital premises after arriving from "at home call" are also included in work hour calculations. In circumstances where a House Officer's clinical activities during at-home call result in a continuous period of 24 or more reportable work hours as defined in this paragraph, the House Officer must receive a minimum of 14 hours of release time before reporting for their next work period shift. In any other circumstances where the House Officer's clinical activities during at-home call prevent rest sufficient to mitigate fatigue prior to their next work period, the House Officer should contact their Program Director, or their designee, to discuss arrangements for an appropriate rest period and for ensuring continuity of patient care.

60

Clinical and educational work hours do not include reading, study, or preparation time spent away from the duty site.

61

Clinical and educational work hours must be limited to eighty (80) hours per week, averaged over a four (4)-week period, inclusive of all in-house call activities and designated off-premises activities. Residents must be provided with one (1) day in seven (7) free from all educational and clinical responsibilities, averaged over a four (4)-week period, inclusive of call. For purposes of this Article, one "day" or "release time" is defined as one (1) continuous twenty-four (24)-hour period, free from all clinical, educational, and administrative duties. Although the one (1) day free in seven (7) is averaged over a four-week period, the normal expectation and intent is that a House Officer would not work more than two (2)-weeks without a day off. House Officers will not be retaliated against for reporting work hours accurately or for reporting violations.

62

It is a responsibility of the House Officer to accurately report clinical and educational work hours to their Program Director by logging them in MedHub within the specified time frame and reporting any frequent or unusual violations directly to the Program Director. The Program Director, representing the Employer, is responsible for monitoring clinical and educational work hours for compliance with the above standard. In the event that a House Officer does not obtain release time in accordance with the standards set forth in paragraph 61, an alternative day off will be scheduled within the four (4)-week period. If alternative day(s) off cannot be scheduled then the House Officer will receive additional compensation equivalent to 1/365th of their annual base salary, for each day of release time that is not provided. Also, the Employer must immediately discontinue any work schedule practices that are not in compliance with these standards.

63

If a House Officer's schedule is inconsistent with the above, the House Officer or the House Officers Association may request the work schedule to be reviewed by the Program Director. If work schedule concerns are not resolved to the satisfaction of the House Officer, the House Officer or the House Officers Association may appeal any work schedule concerns to the Graduate Medical Education Committee, or their designee. In such a situation, the decision of the Graduate Medical Education Committee will be final. It is further agreed that there shall be no retaliation, in any form, towards any House Officer as result of requesting review of their work schedule.

64

It is further understood that days off taken as vacation days will not be counted as release time as defined in paragraph 61. For example, if a Resident works the first two (2) weeks in a month and takes the latter two (2) weeks as vacation, the resident shall still be entitled to two release days for the first two (2) weeks in that month.

65

If, during the term of this collective bargaining agreement, there is a change in the clinical and educational work hour standards specified by ACGME requirements, then those regulatory standards will take precedence over this language, and the parties will abide by any new standards promulgated by the ACGME. However, in no case will clinical and educational work hours exceed the limits set forth in paragraph 61. Prior to implementation of any change of practice due to a change in ACGME standards, the Employer and the House Officers Association will meet to review the revised standards and discuss implementation plans.

66

The Employer recognizes that advance notice of work schedules is an important factor in a House Officer's ability to manage their professional and personal responsibilities. Programs shall post House Officer rotation call/work schedules a minimum of thirty (30) calendar days prior the start of the rotation/block. The Employer will make every effort to ensure that the posted schedule, or another resource provided to the House Officer (for example, their continuity clinic schedule), includes the dates of the assigned rotation or schedule, the location (name of building/suite), and anticipated start/end times. Once posted, work schedules shall not be arbitrarily changed. It is understood, however, that changes to posted schedules may be necessary due to unforeseen circumstances. Operational and patient care needs may require adjustments or additions to posted rotation call/work schedules from time to time, either prior to or during the rotation/block. Programs will attempt to minimize such changes. The Program Director retains sole final discretion to set and revise schedules, and to resolve scheduling disputes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employer is not required to post rotation call/work schedules for the month of July in advance for incoming House Officers.

67

Programs and/or individuals with oversight of schedule development may establish and communicate procedures for the development of schedules. House Officers are responsible for meeting any program timelines or requirements related to schedule requests. If the House Officer does not submit their requests by the specified deadline, they forgo the opportunity to have such requests accommodated for the applicable rotation/block. The parties acknowledge that unforeseen circumstances occur from time to time for both House Officers and the Programs. Unforeseen urgent circumstances, which are expected to be rare, may be considered if a House Officer misses a specific deadline for a schedule request. It is understood, however, that the Program will not delay the posting of schedules, nor incur significant additional burden to revise schedules that have already been developed, in order to accommodate late scheduling requests.

68

The Labor-Management Committee shall have a standing agenda item for the purpose of addressing specific programs where House Officers have not received their schedules consistent with the provisions of paragraph 66. The HOA will provide the following details: the name of the program, the name(s) of the affected House Officer(s), the rotation(s) involved and the date(s) of the rotations, the name of the individual overseeing the scheduling, and any other pertinent information. The Employer will investigate reported issues and provide the Association with a response and the Program or Department's plan for improvement, within 14 days of the LMC meeting.

69

House Officers returning to work from a leave of absence (LOA) shall communicate with their Program Director or the Program Director's designee at least two (2) weeks prior to their expected return-to-work date to confirm the date and discuss any matters related to the House Officer's anticipated work schedule upon their return.

70

In addition, the Employer shall make every effort to honor the requests for the religious requirements by House Officers for observances of religious holidays. House Officers shall make such requests not less than sixty (60) calendar days in advance of the religious observance.

71

Interviewing for future positions is an integral part of the training experience. Programs will make every reasonable effort to accommodate scheduling requests to attend interviews, which may include modifications to the House Officer's work schedule or scheduled days off. If the interview time(s) cannot be accommodated through schedule modifications, the House Officer may request to use vacation days or a personal day. It is the shared responsibility of the House Officer and Program Director, or the Program Director's designee, to assure adequate coverage when a House Officer is invited to interview. A House Officer shall provide notice to their Program Director, or Program Director's designee, of their intention to accept an interview no later than twenty-four (24) hours after receipt of the invitation.

72

Maternity Scheduling Considerations: During the last trimester of pregnancy and for two (2) months post-partum, overnight call will not be scheduled and duty will be limited to twelve (12) consecutive hours. Exceptions may be approved by the House Officer's Obstetrician, or other appropriate physician only. A good faith effort will be made by the Employer to accommodate any other health care needs, including scheduling, that may arise during the course of the pregnancy.

ARTICLE IX. EXTRACURRICULAR MEDICAL PRACTICE

73

Extracurricular medical practice (moonlighting) refers to voluntary, compensated, medically related work, not related with training requirements, performed outside or within the institution where the House Officer is in training or at any of its related participating sites. House officers are not required to engage in moonlighting, either internally or externally, but are allowed to moonlight provided such practice does not interfere with the ability of the House Officer to achieve the goals and objectives of the educational program, and does not interfere with the House Officer's fitness for work nor compromise patient safety The University of Michigan malpractice insurance does not extend to extracurricular medical practice outside the University of Michigan Health System. Any extracurricular medical practice which requires that the House Officer assume continuing responsibility for patients is not permitted, as it may interfere with their responsibilities at the University of Michigan Health System.

74

Most often, House Officers moonlight at hospitals or health centers unaffiliated with the University of Michigan Health System. The services provided by House Officers to patient(s) at the University of Michigan as part of their GME program are reimbursed to the institution as direct GME payments, and the House Officer may therefore not receive extra remuneration for caring for patients in this situation. This policy not only affects the University of Michigan services connected to that particular GME program, but also services at other institutions that have signed affiliation agreements with that particular GME program. However, services provided by House Officers that are not related to their ACGME-approved program, including those within the University of Michigan Health system, are eligible for moonlighting payments. For example, a University of Michigan surgery resident could be permitted to moonlight at the Trinity Health Ann Arbor's emergency room, as that is not part of their training program. A University of Michigan pathology resident could likewise moonlight in a University of Michigan ICU. These services are permissible, provided that services performed can be separately identified from those services that are required as part of the House Officer's approved GME program. Internal moonlighting opportunities are to be coordinated by an individual identified by the Department who is not a House Officer or a part of the operation of the educational programs within the Department.

75

The individual Program Directors are required to approve and monitor House Officers' moonlighting activities on a yearly basis. House Officers, in turn, are required to notify their Program Director of all moonlighting activity prior to commencement as well as follow the institutional and program moonlighting policy. The Program Directors will provide all program House Officers with the moonlighting policy and the "Moonlighting Request Form", to be completed. This information is in turn submitted to the GME Office, as the ACGME requires that participating institutions maintain documentation of a House Officer's extracurricular medical practice. It is the Program Director's responsibility to determine if any moonlighting activities are in compliance with the institutional guidelines, and if not, take corrective action to remedy the infraction. Any House Officer found to be misrepresenting or underreporting moonlighting activity will be banned from additional moonlighting for the duration of their training, and the HOA and the GME Office will be notified. Additional disciplinary action can be taken at the discretion of the Program Director, following the guidelines explained elsewhere.

76

The purposes of this policy are to (a) protect patient safety, and (b) ensure that the training of House Officers within their University of Michigan GME program is not compromised. It is not meant to facilitate a de facto policy banning moonlighting by House Officers within a particular GME program. To this end, a House Officer in good standing who wishes to moonlight should be permitted to do so, provided the moonlighting position meets the conditions outlined above. Program Directors who feel that a particular House Officer should not be permitted to moonlight must provide concrete reasons for why that House Officer should not do so, as well as objective criteria by which the resident can improve their standing, i.e. performance reviews, incident reports, scores on in-service exams, etc. Vague statements, such as "moonlighting will impair your training here" are not valid criteria to use in denying the House Officer's request.

ARTICLE X. GRIEVANCES FOR MOONLIGHTING-RELATED ISSUES

77

If either the House Officer or the Program Director feels that the letter or spirit of this Agreement is not being upheld in regard to moonlighting, then a conference with the Program Director and the GME Committee will result. A grievance must be submitted by both the House Officer and the Program Director in writing to the GME Committee for discussion at their next scheduled meeting. The House Officer and the Program Director will then attend the GME Committee meeting to present the grievance. The GMEC will use the Evaluation, Promotion, Renewal, Dismissal of Residents/Fellows in their GME Educational Training Program Policy in order to mediate the process.

ARTICLE XI. OFF-CAMPUS ASSIGNMENTS

78

Attendance at medical conferences, or research or training at an off-campus site, shall be subject to the approval of the Employee's Service Chief as to the relevance of the subject matter and the service needs of the department. It is understood that when such an assignment is made, it shall not be counted as vacation time.

79

The University remains committed to supporting House Officer access to healthy and safe learning and working environments while working in various health care delivery settings and systems that are relevant to their clinical specialty.

80

If issues arise concerning working conditions at an off-campus assignment, house officers are expected and encouraged to escalate those issues through their respective Program Director. Additionally, for the purpose of gaining deeper understanding of issues that arise at off-campus assignments, the parties will bring these issues to the Labor-Management Committee for tracking and discussion.

ARTICLE XII. LEAVES AND IMPACT ON TRAINING

81

The HOA and the Employer recognize that due to leaves, as addressed in Articles XIII and XIV, delays or interruptions may arise during training such that the required training cannot be completed within the required total training time established for each training program and that the requirements vary between training programs. In such circumstances, if the trainee's Program Director and Clinical Competency Committee attest that the trainee has achieved required competence, the Program Director may seek on the resident's behalf, a reduction-in-training, to the extent allowed by the individual's national certifying Board.

82

Separately negotiated benefits contained within the collective bargaining agreement such as paid vacation during an appointment year may be used to off-set deficits in training due to leave time as defined in Article XIII and Article XIV, to the extent allowed by the individual's national certifying Board and following the processes and procedures identified by the Employer. Reductions in training are not assured or guaranteed and are always subject to the applicable national certifying Board's approval, upon request of the Program Director in his or her sole discretion. In no case may the Program Director be compelled to make the request of the national certifying Board. The request is made solely on the assessment of readiness for independent practice. The Program Director's determination regarding reductions-in-training are not subject to the grievance and arbitration proceedings of the Parties' Collective Bargaining Agreement.

83

This language is applicable only to deficits in training time that result from leaves. It does not apply to deficits that may result from other actions, such as extensions due to remediation or probation.

ARTICLE XIII. PAID TIME AWAY

SECTION A. SICK LEAVE

84

When a House Officer is unable to work due to illness or injury and certain criteria are met, certain paid sick leave shall be available. The parties share a mutual interest that House Officers are both encouraged and supported by their programs and colleagues to not work when acutely ill (e.g., is contagious, dehydrated, or vomiting, or has diarrhea). The parties acknowledge that there is a shared responsibility of both Faculty and House Officers to assure coverage during this absence. Excessive absenteeism may result in corrective action.

SECTION B. SERIOUS ILLNESS LEAVE (SHORT-TERM DISABILITY)

85

To provide the Employee with confidentiality related to a serious illness, Work Connections, or its equivalent, will be utilized to obtain the necessary documentation for a paid leave under this Article. The Employer will be responsible for initiating the claim, however, the House Officer is able to do this as well. The House Officer is responsible for ensuring Work Connections receives required documentation within a reasonable time frame or a time frame as prescribed by Work Connections.

86

A House Officer who is unable to work for at least one (1) week due to a) a single incident of serious disabling illness or injury, b) intermittent absences to receive multiple, on-going treatments resulting from and following a single disabling illness or injury (such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, physical therapy or dialysis), or c) severe complications from pregnancy that prevent attendance at work, or (d) a medically necessary period of physical recovery from childbirth that exceeds the amount of paid Maternity Leave provided pursuant to Section F shall receive up to a maximum of six (6) months, inclusive of weekends, of full pay in each three (3) calendar year period following their date of hire. Renewal of this six (6) months sick time benefit will occur on the first of the month in which the three-year anniversary occurs. However, if a House Officer is on paid sick leave under this provision on the renewal date, the renewal will be deferred until the House Officer returns to active employment for 30 days. The Employer will require verification of the House Officer's inability to work, including intermittent absences, before granting paid time off. In the event the House Officer applies for and is approved for Long-Term Disability benefits pursuant to Article IV of this Agreement, this six (6) month period of paid Serious Illness Leave qualifies as the elimination period for the Long-Term Disability benefit.

87

Time under the Family Medical Leave Act of up to twelve (12) weeks will run concurrently with any paid and unpaid time, beginning with the first day of a qualified illness.

88

When a House Officer has been off work due to a single serious illness or injury for thirty (30) calendar days, the circumstances will be discussed between the House Officer's Program Director and the House Officer to determine the appropriate course of action. Courses of action will include:

  1. Return to work plan established based on Work Connections review of medical documentation from treating physician.
  2. Application submitted for Long Term Disability, if appropriate
  3. Obtain approval from GME Office for course of action
  4. Contact of the HOA by the House Officer for information regarding the LTD Plan and other benefits that may be affected.

SECTION C. BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

89

In the event of the death of an Employee's spouse or other qualified adult as defined by University policy, or the son, daughter, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, grandchild (or spouse of any of them), of either the Employee or the other qualified adult, any other related person living in the Employee's household, or a significant other non-related person living in the Employee's household, an Employee shall be granted paid time off work. The amount of paid time off work shall be only that which is required to attend the funeral and/or make arrangements necessitated by the death, but in no event shall it exceed three (3) work days. In situations where long distance travel is required, the Program Director will make every effort to accommodate additional continuous days free of duties, which may include modifications to the House Officer's work schedule or scheduled days off, or the use of vacation days or a personal day without the advance notice normally required. If additional time off is needed, the Employee may request unpaid leave. An Employee who has experienced a pregnancy loss, as either an expectant birth parent or non-birth parent, may utilize Bereavement Leave without regard to whether a funeral or other service is held.

SECTION D. JURY DUTY

90

Whenever a House Officer is called for jury duty, they will not experience any loss in salary or benefits. At the House Officer's request, the department will provide a letter requesting deferral of jury duty. It is recognized that jury duty service may require an extension of the House Officer's training program, depending on the time away from work.

SECTION E. PREVENTATIVE CARE AND PERSONAL DAYS

91

A House Officer who has a preventive medical or dental appointment, shall receive paid time off, not exceeding eight (8) hours per year. Preventative Care time is intended to be taken in full or half day increments. However, Preventative Care time may also be taken in increments of less than a half day to accommodate a late arrival or early departure for the purpose of attending a preventative appointment. The House Officer must provide their Program Director with at least forty-five (45) days advance notice of the need to take Preventative Care time, on a form provided by the Employer. The Program will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate the requested date, but approval is subject to operational and patient care needs. Within seven (7) calendar days of receiving the properly submitted request, the Program Director or their designee will either confirm or deny the requested date. If the requested date cannot be accommodated, the Program Director, or their designee, and the House Officer will meet upon request of either party to discuss and agree on an alternative. Upon request, the House Officer will make reasonable efforts to assist the program in securing coverage for any assigned duties. Final approval of the requested date is at the discretion of the Program Director.

92

In addition, a House Officer shall receive one (1) Personal Day per program year, which may be used for any personal need, including medical, dental, or mental health appointments. Personal Days may be used in full or half day increments, but nothing less. The House Officer must give their Program Director at least forty-five (45) days advance notice of the need to take a Personal Day, on a form provided by the Employer. The Program will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate the requested date, but approval is subject to operational and patient care needs. Within seven (7) calendar days of receiving the properly submitted request, the Program Director or their designee will either confirm or deny the requested date. If the requested date cannot be accommodated, the Program Director, or their designee, and the House Officer will meet upon request of either party to discuss and agree on an alternative. Upon request, the House Officer will make reasonable efforts to assist the program in securing coverage for any assigned duties. Final approval of the requested date is at the discretion of the Program Director.

93

Unused Preventative Care and Personal Days shall not be carried over from program year to program year and shall not be available to use to offset deficits in training due to leaves of absence or other reasons.

94

Personal and Preventative Care Days are to be granted separately from the House Officer's regular release days. A House Officer with a part-time appointment, either by FTE effort or employment within the program year, will be entitled to Preventative Care and Personal Days in direct proportion to their appointment.

SECTION F. MATERNITY LEAVE

95

A House Officer who gives birth shall receive six (6) weeks of total paid time for the physiological recovery from childbirth. A House Officer who gives birth by Cesarean section shall receive an additional two (2) weeks of paid Serious Illness Leave for physical recovery, pursuant to Section B of this Article. In either case, if additional time off is medically required for recovery, the House Officer will be granted Serious Illness leave under Section B of this Article. The six (6) week period of Maternity Leave, plus any additional Serious Illness Leave as described above, if requested by the House Officer, is to be used during the period immediately following delivery of the child. Regardless of when the time is taken, it is to be taken for a consecutive period of time. A House Officer who elects to take less than six (6) weeks for paid time for childbirth must present a written release from her physician to return to work. Maternity Scheduling Considerations: During the last trimester of pregnancy and for two (2) months post-partum, overnight call will not be scheduled and duty will be limited to twelve (12) consecutive hours. Exceptions may be approved by the House Officer's Obstetrician, or other appropriate physician only. A good faith effort will be made by the Employer to accommodate any other health care needs, including scheduling, that may arise during the course of the pregnancy.

SECTION G. PARENTAL LEAVE

96

Parental Leave: A House Officer who becomes a parent on or after their employment start date, including birth mothers who take maternity (childbirth) leave, are eligible for up to six (6) consecutive weeks of paid time off to bond with a newborn, newly adopted or newly fostered child, or minor child for whom legal guardianship has been newly appointed. Parental leave is available for use within one (1) year of the event. Requests for Parental Leave must be made to the Program Director at least three (3) months in advance of the expected start date of the parental leave. If three (3) months advance notice is not possible due to emergency or reasonably unanticipated circumstances, the request for Parental Leave shall be submitted as soon as practicable. Program Directors will make every effort to honor the requested start date for the Parental Leave, but patient care and other critical operational needs may be taken into account when scheduling parental leave. Parental Leave shall be taken as a single, continuous block of time. A House Officer may request to take their Parental Leave on a non-continuous basis, but the Program Director retains sole discretion to determine whether such non-continuous leave can be accommodated. A House Officer shall not alter Parental Leave dates when taken in a continuous block or non-continuous Parental Leave dates that have been approved by the Program Director, unless the requested change is prospectively approved by the Program Director.

SECTION H. CAREGIVER LEAVE

97

A House Officer in a Program that is three (3) years or longer is eligible for a maximum of six (6) weeks paid Caregiver Leave one (1) time during their Program. A House Officer in a Program that is two (2) years or less in length is eligible for a maximum of six (6) weeks of paid Caregiver Leave once during their Program, but the paid Caregiver Leave requested will be offset by any paid Maternity Leave, paid Serious Illness Leave, or paid Parental Leave benefits previously received by the Employee during the course of their clinical training program. For example, an Employee who received four (4) paid weeks of Serious Illness Leave during their first program year, and who later requests paid Caregiver Leave during their second program year, would be eligible for a maximum of two (2) weeks of paid Caregiver Leave.

98

Caregiver Leave is defined as leave requested by the Employee for the purpose of providing care for the Employee's immediate family member with a serious health condition.

99

An immediate family member includes:

  1. Either the Employee's spouse or Other Qualified Adult as defined by University Policy; or
  2. The Employee's child (biological, adoptive, or legally placed foster child, or child in the House Officer's care through legal guardianship); or
  3. The Employee's sibling, parent, grandparent, or grandchild.

100

A serious health condition is defined, consistent with US Department of Labor standards, as an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves:

  1. Inpatient care in a hospital, hospice, or residential medical facility; or
  2. Continuing treatment by a health care provider

101

An Employee who wishes to apply for paid Caregiver Leave pursuant to this Article will initiate their request with their Program Administrator. The request will be processed according to procedures specified by the Employer, consistent with the application and approval process for other forms of leave provided in the collective bargaining agreement. The Employee will be required to submit appropriate documentation of the need for the Caregiver Leave. The required documentation must be consistent with the type of documentation that would be required by the HR Solutions Center, or similar UM unit, to support an FMLA covered leave.

102

In order to facilitate uninterrupted patient care and clinical training, Caregiver Leave is intended to be taken in a continuous block. However, it may be taken on an intermittent basis if properly supported pursuant to paragraph 101 above and with appropriate notice by the House Officer to the Program Director, and/or consistent with FMLA requirements if applicable.

103

In the event an employee completes a training program with the Employer and then enters a second ACGME/CODA/CPME accredited training program, the Employee's eligibility for the paid Caregiver Leave benefit renews upon entry into the second training program.

SECTION I. VACATION

104

Except as provided in paragraph 106, House Officers shall be entitled to twenty-eight (28) days of vacation time per twelve (12) months of employment, inclusive of weekends (Saturday and Sunday). Therefore, a maximum of twenty (20) of these twenty-eight (28) days will occur on a Monday through Friday schedule. In the event a Program assigns and schedules vacation time by the month, no more than thirty-one (31) days of vacation time, inclusive of weekends, will be provided.

105

The underlying principle is equity among all House Officers at all levels, with each being eligible for four (4) weeks of vacation time per academic year.

106

A House Officer with a part-time appointment, either by FTE effort or employment within the twelve (12) month vacation period, will be entitled to vacation time, in direct proportion to their appointment.

107

Vacation shall be scheduled to meet the requirements of the Employer on a departmental basis with due consideration given to the Employee's wishes as to time and duration. The actual scheduling of vacations shall be the responsibility of the Program Director or equivalent level of supervision. Such vacations will be scheduled as a regular and routine part of service assignments over the course of the year. Once a vacation request is approved, the Employer shall not unilaterally change or cancel the approved vacation unless the Employer has implemented its Emergency Operations Plan pursuant to UMHS Policy 01-02-000. Either the Employee or the Program Director may initiate a request for a change to previously approved vacation, but any changes must be mutually agreed upon. Vacations are not cumulative and can only be taken during the current vacation period. Nothing herein shall be interpreted to limit vacation entitlement as outlined in this Article.

108

Vacation time may be requested for job interviews. Vacation time may also be requested for medical conferences that have not been approved by the Program Director pursuant to paragraph 115. Such requests will not be unreasonably denied.

109

Any request for time off beyond the allotted vacation days, that is not subject to any other applicable article of this agreement, will be without pay and subject to approval from the Program Director.

110

Paid vacation time may be used to off-set deficits in training due to a Leave of Absence (LOA), to the extent allowed by the national certifying Board and following the processes and procedures identified by the Employer.

111

A month is defined as either a calendar month or a period of time running from any date in a calendar month through the next preceding date in the next calendar month (e.g. January 15 through February 14).

112

A vacation day shall be a calendar day, which is defined as a twenty-four (24) hour period commencing at 12:00 am and ending at 11:59 pm. When necessary to compute a day's pay, it shall be 1/365 of the Employee's annual salary rate at the time a deduction is taken.

113

A vacation period will run for a twelve (12) month period immediately following the commencement of the Employee's appointment.

SECTION J. ADDITIONAL PAID TIME OFF

114

House Officers will receive time off without loss of pay to take examinations required by Programs or as part of their Board requirements, including any required sub-specialty in-service exams. House Officers shall record such time as part of their work hours. For in-service exams, House Officers shall register promptly, within seven (7) calendar days of the opening of the registration period, and shall select the testing site that is closest to the University medical campus. For in-service exams only, in the event a House Officer attempts to register within this seven (7) calendar day period but, due to circumstances beyond their control, is unable to register for an exam location within a fifteen (15) mile round trip from University hospital or the House Officer's residence, the House Officer shall inform their Program Director and request approval to incur travel expenses. Upon approval of the Program Director, the House Officer may submit the in-service exam mileage and hotel expenses for reimbursement, out of Departmental funds, pursuant to Article XXXI Reimbursements.

115

House Officers will receive time off without loss of pay to attend conferences as specifically approved by the Program Director or Program Director's designee.

116

House Officers will receive time off without loss of pay to recertify for Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), or Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) courses as may be required by their current training program. These recertifications will be offered at no cost to the House Officer in accordance with guidelines established by the Employer. It is the responsibility of the House Officer to register in a timely fashion for recertification courses offered through the Employer, and to coordinate the date(s) of attendance with their Program Director. In the event there are no openings through the Employer's course offerings, House Officers will notify their Program Administrator. Following guidelines established by the Employer, the Program Administrator may request an exception by the GME Office for a course to be taken at an approved training site outside of the University. If approved by the GME Office, the House Officer will then be reimbursed for the cost incurred by recertifying through the outside vendor. Recertification is a condition of continued employment. In the event a certification lapses, the House Officer must obtain the certification, and may be required to utilize vacation to attend training or attend the training on a scheduled day off. In the event of a lapsed certification, the House Officer is responsible for paying the difference between the cost of initial certification and the cost of recertification. In the event of an absence from a course that the House Officer had registered for, which results in the Employer being charged for the missed course, the House Officer shall be responsible for either reimbursing the cost of the recertification course to the Employer or paying the full registration cost of the next recertification course they register for, except in cases where the House Officer missed the course due to a last-minute schedule change initiated by their Program.

117

The Employer will make reasonable efforts to provide House Officers with electronic or other written reminders of recertification deadlines at least six (6) months in advance, but it remains the responsibility of the individual House Officer to track and fulfill their recertification obligations. In no event will the lack of a written notice of the recertification deadline from the Employer operate to relieve the House Officer of the responsibilities set forth in paragraph 116.

118

The Employer will provide time off work with pay to a House Officer in a residency program to take the USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX Level 3 examination (no more than two (2) days) and this time will not count as usage of vacation, or other paid time off, as long as the House Officer has collaborated with the Program Director regarding the time period for which the test will be scheduled. In order for a House Officer to use this paid time off, the examination must be taken prior to the House Officer's final program year at the University, except in the case of a House Officer in a one-year transitional residency, who may also qualify for the paid time off. Should the House Officer need to retake the examination, the Program Director may require the use of vacation or that the exam is scheduled on a scheduled day off.

119

The foregoing paragraph does not apply to fellowships.

ARTICLE XIV. UNPAID LEAVE

SECTION A. MILITARY LEAVE

120

A House Officer, who is in good standing and who informs their Program Director that they intend to continue their current residency program at the University, shall be granted a leave of absence without pay for the period of required active duty when he (1) is inducted for active duty military service through the selective service system or (2) volunteers for active duty military service rather than being inducted or (3) is assigned to alternate service through the selective service system in lieu of being inducted. Following such a leave of absence, the House Officer, who receives a certificate of satisfactory completion of service, applies for reinstatement within ninety (90) days after release from active duty, and is still qualified to perform as a House Officer, shall be returned to House Officer responsibilities and duties at the appropriate House Officer level. Such return shall be at substantially the same point in time as the date of departure and continue at least until the following June 30, provided performance during this period is satisfactory.

SECTION B. PERSONAL LEAVE

121

At their request, a House Officer may be granted a leave of absence without pay at the discretion of their Program Director.

122

A House Officer who is completing a training program at the University, and has been accepted into an additional ACGME accredited training program at the University that does not begin immediately upon completion of the first program due to the University making the program's start date later than July 1st, will be placed on an unpaid personal leave of absence for the interim period, up to a maximum, of thirty-one (31) days. During that interim period, up to thirty-one (31) days, the House Officer will remain eligible for University benefits, and will be required to make the standard employee contributions to that coverage.

SECTION C. FAMILY MEDICAL CARE LEAVE

123

A House Officer who is unable to work because they are needed to care for a seriously ill family member will be granted an unpaid leave of absence for up to twelve (12) weeks every twelve (12) months. The twelve (12) weeks is reduced by any paid Caregiver, Serious Illness, Maternity or Parental leaves of absence taken in the previous twelve (12) months. For this purpose, "family member" is defined as the House Officer's spouse or other qualified adult as defined by University policy; and, without regard to their place of residence, the child, sibling, parent, grandparent, or other related individual whose care is the responsibility of the House Officer, spouse or other qualified adult.

124

For House Officers who qualify for Family and Medical Leave Act benefits under University policy, Family Medical Care Leave as described in this section may be counted toward their annual FMLA leave entitlement. However, a House Officer need not be eligible for FMLA leave in order to receive the Family Medical Care Leave described in this section.

SECTION D. BENEFIT CONTINUATION

125

Subject to and consistent with the Group Health Insurance Plan and Group Dental Assistance Plan, coverage, including University contributions, will be continued for up to twelve (12) weeks in each twelve (12) month period for House Officers during Family Medical Care Leave

SECTION E. GENERAL CONDITIONS

126

Unless mutually agreed otherwise by the parties, the twelve (12) month period referenced in Family Medical Care Leave and Benefit Continuation will be an annual twelve (12) consecutive calendar month period commencing on the House Officer's date of hire.

127

When medically necessary, Family Medical Care Leave may be taken on an intermittent or reduced effort basis, provided, however, the House Officer shall: a) make all reasonable efforts to schedule any required treatment(s) so as not to unduly disrupt the Department's operations and, b) notify the Department as far in advance as possible. The total time off shall not exceed the limits described in this Article.

128

House Officers taking leaves on a reduced or intermittent basis may be reassigned to other assignments similar to the ones held before the leave which better accommodate leave taken on a reduced or intermittent basis. No reassignment shall result in a reduction of wages or benefit(s) levels which were in place prior to the leave.

129

Upon return from, or completion of, the first twelve (12) weeks of a Family Care Leave, the House Officer will immediately resume their assignment at the level prior to the leave.

ARTICLE XV. MEALS

130

In an effort to provide the House Officers with access to healthy food options at all times while at work, the Employer agrees to maintain uninterrupted access to the cafeteria or other food-providing service 24 (twenty-four) hours per day, every day of the year. If food services are not available 24 (twenty-four) hours a day, in the building complex the House Officer is assigned or reasonable proximity, the Employer will engage the HOA in a discussion to identify and implement an alternative solution. In the interim, should the need arise, the Employer will provide a method to provide fresh refrigerated food products within the House Officer Lounge or agreed upon alternative location. Food services will be reviewed on a yearly basis through the Labor-Management Committee (LMC). A mutually agreeable corrective action plan will be developed and implemented if this arrangement is found to be unsatisfactory to either party.

131

The Employer agrees to include House Officers on appropriate committees or groups that pertain to food-related decisions.

132

The Employer agrees to encourage the consistent availability of healthy food options, and the expansion of the current menu to include items for non-traditional diets (possibly including Kosher, Vegan, Gluten-free, etc).

133

The Employer agrees to support the Employees in efforts to have local food establishments accept MCard (or equivalent) payment for food delivery.

SECTION A. MEAL ALLOWANCES

134

Within 2-weeks upon hire, a House Officer will receive $250 on their MCards to alleviate the out-of-pocket expense and lapse in the meal allowance processing period.

135

As House Officers are often required to work extended hours to be available for patient care needs, restricting their ability to leave the premises during their shifts, House Officers shall be provided meal allowances in accordance with the following parameters.

  • When patient care requires a House Officer to be in the hospital for equal to or greater than twelve (12) hours, because they are required to do so, the House Officer will receive an allowance for one (1) meal.
  • When patient care requires a House Officer to be in the hospital for equal to or greater than eighteen (18) hours, because they are required to do so, the House Officer will receive an allowance for two (2) meals.

136

Effective July 1, 2023, each meal allowance provided for in paragraph 135 shall be $15.00. Meal allowances will be provided from the University through procedures established by the Employer (funds added to the MCard). This provision will only apply when the House Officer is on assignment at a University of Michigan Health facility.

137

For rotations with shifts that are 12 hours or more, where the work schedules are consistently accurate in reflecting the number of workdays that are 12 hours or more for that rotation, and those shifts do not vary greatly from one scheduling period to another, the Program(s) will submit meal allowances to MDining for addition onto the MCards at the start of the rotation based on anticipated work schedules. When funds are front-loaded in this manner, the Program will not make adjustments to those funds in situations where the House Officer actually works more or fewer hours than expected on a certain day or in a certain week for that rotation, except when there has been a rotation block change.

138

Any educational, clinical or administrative activity that is included in the calculation of clinical and educational work hours , as defined in Article VIII - Work Hours/Work Schedules, is considered to be included in this daily counting of twelve (12) or eighteen (18) hours pursuant to paragraph 135.

139

The Employer will encourage Program Administrators to send monthly communication to solicit any House Officers who have met the criteria for meal allowances. Any questions regarding eligibility for meal allowance will be resolved by a House Officer's Program Director.

140

A qualifying House Officer must be a House Officer covered by this agreement on a clinical rotation at a University of Michigan Health location.

141

If an issue arises with the availability of food options or the availability of meal allowances during a required rotation, that is a part of the standard curriculum, at an affiliated facility, then it is the duty of the House Officer to report these issues to the Program Director. If the issues cannot be resolved at a Department level, then the issue can be brought forward to the LMC for further discussion.

142

Any meal allowance balance remaining on the House Officer's MCard upon completion of training is forfeited, and it is not eligible to be cashed out or reimbursed to the House Officer.

ARTICLE XVI. FACILITIES

SECTION A. CALL ROOMS

143

The Employer will provide sleep facilities that are safe, quiet and available and accessible to residents and fellows to support education and safe patient care. The Employer shall make a bed available (not on the ground) for every House Officer needing to remain overnight. To this end, not less than seventy-five (75) on-call rooms, with telephones and lockable doors, which accommodate not more than two (2) individuals per room, except that one room will accommodate not more than three (3), will be provided. The number of beds per room can be modified by mutual agreement between the Employer and the Association. Bunk beds may be added in specified on-call rooms by mutual agreement between the Association and the Employer at Association request. Ladders for bunk beds shall be provided. Lockable bins with built-in locks shall be provided in the on-call rooms to protect the personal property of the House Officers. A computer with access to the Health System information system shall be installed in each call room. The Employer will maintain mattresses, furnishings, fixtures, and locks in good repair and will meet with the Association quarterly upon request to review concerns and requests for maintenance of call rooms.

144

House Officers shall have sufficient access to safe, quiet, and accessible call rooms in any new University owned inpatient facility where House Officers will be assigned to work. At least six (6) months prior to the opening of any such facility, the University and Association shall meet to discuss the terms governing House Officer access to call rooms in that facility.

145

All call rooms shall be cleaned daily between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with sheets, blankets, towels, wash cloths and soap provided. It is recognized as a joint responsibility to develop and implement a mechanism for House Officers and management to maintain neatness so that Environmental Services can clean each on-call room daily. To this end, a list of contact information will be posted in each room to facilitate problem resolution. It is understood that these rooms are for the use of House Officers only, at all times. Other staff will be restricted from using on-call rooms except for cleaning and maintenance work. Bath and shower facilities, not shared with patients or families shall be made easily available to on-call rooms. Access to shower/toilet rooms shall be made available to House Officers within a reasonable distance from the on-call room.

146

A list of these rooms and any changes will be provided to the Association by the Employer annually. All changes made to the current list of on-call rooms will be reasonably comparable and by mutual agreement through LMC (Labor-Management Committee). The current list of call rooms may be accessed via the following live link in the online version of this Agreement on the University Human Resources website: Current House Officer Call Room List.

147

The House Officers Association shall have the right to designate, subject to approval by the Employer, as many as three (3) on-call rooms in University Hospital and one (1) each at the Mott and Women's Hospitals for female use exclusively. These designations may be changed by the House Officers Association, subject to approval by the Employer.

148

The Employer will secure and maintain adequate call room space for House Officers who are on "home call" status.

SECTION B. RESPITE AND WORK SPACE

149

The House Officer lounge currently provided, or one of comparable size and with comparable furnishings, will be maintained by the Employer. The lounge will be cleaned daily.

150

The design and building of new facilities or the expansion or revision of existing facilities will involve the consideration of workflow, new technology and/or technological needs, and structure utilization for House Officers. Committees formed to address these matters shall request participation by a House Officer from the affected area to provide information relevant to the considerations listed above, unless mutually agreed otherwise.

151

The Employer will continue to clearly identify a partitioned space in the University Hospital cafeteria as reserved for medical staff. To the extent the Employer establishes reserved seating areas for medical staff in other cafeterias on its premises, House Officers will be permitted access to those areas.

SECTION C. EXERCISE FACILITY

152

The Employer agrees to provide access to the UH South Wellness Facility for all House Officers. To the extent that a user fee continues to be assessed this facility, the House Officer will be responsible for their payment on the same terms and conditions as non-bargained for employees.

153

If, over the term of the Agreement, an additional exercise facility is identified, the Association will have access to it. If the Association identifies exercise space within its allotted rooms, the University will furnish the equipment mutually agreed upon. Maintenance of this equipment will be the responsibility of the Association, whose members would have exclusive use of the room.

154

Further, the University agrees to explore the feasibility of including an employee exercise facility in any new building replacement discussions. Existing space committees will be identified so that time lines for long and short term options of identifying alternate exercise facility space can be established.

155

House Officers who are not members of the UH South Wellness Facility but who need access to shower/locker facilities shall be granted access to the shower/locker room located on B1 Taubman Center.

SECTION D. LACTATION SUPPORT

156

The Employer and the Association support providing the resources for continued breastfeeding upon return to work, in UM Health facilities, consistent with the requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act of 2022. Where spaces exist for faculty or staff for the primary purpose of expressing breast milk, House Officers will have access to those spaces for the purpose of expressing breast milk. A list and map of such spaces will be maintained on the Work/Life Resource Center website. If no such space exists within a five (5) minute walking distance to the House Officer's assigned work site, the Department for the House Officer's assigned rotation will make a reasonable effort to designate an appropriate temporary space for the purpose of expressing breast milk. House Officers who have a need to express milk shall have convenient access to refrigeration so that breast milk may be stored. Requests for added locations where refrigeration is required will be brought to the Labor Management Committee.

157

Any House Officer that will require use of lactation support services provided by the Employer will communicate their anticipated needs to their Program Director. All efforts will be made to provide reasonable break time for the House Officer to express breast milk for their nursing child for one year after the child's birth each time such Employee has need to express milk.

ARTICLE XVII. WORK ENVIRONMENT

158

Upon employment, the Employer will provide three (3) white coats to each House Officer for their use for the duration of their training program. These white coats will be personalized with the House Officer's name embroidered, or affixed in another manner, for personal identification. A worn out or damaged coat may be exchanged by the Employee on a one-for-one basis as needed. The house officer's Department is responsible for implementing a process for the facilitation of the cleaning of white coats. This process must exclude the House Officer personally being responsible for delivering and picking-up their white coat from Laundry Services.

159

Effective FY25 an alternative jacket can be made available for programs that do not utilize white coats on all rotations. The alternative jackets must be approved by the Department Chair and Program Director to be worn during clinical rotations. Each program will establish a standard to be used for all incoming House Officers. Upon a program's request, a House Officer shall be required to facilitate the identification of the alternative jacket for program approval, collection of sizes, ordering, and distribution to the eligible House Officers within their program. House Officer input should be solicited when identifying alternative jacket options. The alternative jackets shall not require name embroidery, laundering by the Employer, or replacement. The total cost of the white coat(s) and/or alternative jacket provided shall not exceed the current cost through the University's prime vendor of 3 white coats for an individual House Officer. Should the purchase of alternative jackets exceed the allowable amount, the Department is responsible for the cost difference.

160

The Employer has the authority and obligation to make available high quality medical and dental care for patients and to provide and maintain a suitable environment for the practice of medicine for the Employees covered by this Agreement. In this regard, the Employer agrees to make reasonable efforts to continue to improve that care and environment.

161

The Employees covered by this Agreement have the responsibility and obligation to provide high quality medical and dental care for patients within the resources and environment made available by the Employer.

162

In implementation of the above, the parties agree as follows: High-quality medical and dental care requires the combined, coordinated and inter-disciplinary efforts and services of a variety of personnel and the specific identification and assignment of tasks required for proper patient care to certain categories of personnel, to the exclusion of other categories, is not practical nor in the best interest of good patient care.

163

It is understood, however, that House Officers are not normally required or expected to function as clerks, messengers, transporters or custodians. However, House Officers may occasionally be required to perform these functions when no other employees responsible for these services are available.

164

In no event shall a House Officer be required to perform such functions on a regular and recurring basis for substantial periods of time. The question of whether an individual House Officer is being required to function to this extent as a clerk, messenger, transporter or custodian may be the proper subject of the Grievance and Arbitration Procedure.

165

In addition and when a House Officer is required or decides, on the basis of direct assignment or in the exercise of professional judgment and in the best interest of good patient care, to perform the principal duties of hospital-related job classifications, whether professional or non-professional, but the House Officer believes the task should be performed by another category of personnel because the time involved in the performance of the task prevents the House Officer from delivering other important medical care on a timely basis, the following procedure should be utilized by the House Officer.

166

Following completion of the task, immediately contact the House Officer's Program Director, or designee, who will make a decision on the appropriateness of the direct assignment or the House Officer's exercise of professional judgment, or, at the option of the House Officer, make contact with the HOA administrator and they will contact the Administrative Liaison for the University. Prior to contacting the Administrative Liaison, either the House Officer or the HOA will fill out the House Office Improper Work Duty Assignment Claim (attached as Appendix A). The Administrative Liaison will promptly investigate the situation and respond in writing to the House Officer and the Association. A copy of the response will be forwarded to the House Officer's Program Director. If the issue is determined to involve administration of the contract, then the Contract Administrator for the University will be notified and will investigate accordingly.

167

The Employer will continue to provide for the safety of Employees during the periods of employment. In the event that an Employee or the Association has a grievance concerning this provision, the grievance procedure should be utilized as soon as possible.

168

The Employer will place equipment and supplies in a consistent manner in each "clean room". Shelves will be labeled and an index available identifying the location of the equipment and supplies available in each "clean room."

169

The University is committed to providing state-of-the-art safety equipment in the Operating Rooms and Emergency Department. Education will be provided annually to House Officers on the availability and use of equipment through departmental teaching programs. House Officers commit to using the safety equipment provided.

170

The University will post protocols for needle sticks and other body substance exposures on the Nursing units, the operating rooms, the Emergency Department, angiography suites, and in other applicable areas.

171

The University will provide available safety and security information and training, as requested by the Association or as deemed appropriate by the University. Hospital Security Services will offer personal safety and violence management training, as requested by the Association.

172

Recognizing that the improvement of patient care, work environment, and education often involve complex interactions, the appropriate committee(s) and the Labor-Management Committee (LMC) are the proper, but non-exclusive, forums for consideration of these matters.

173

The University recognizes that its physicians provide care for patients having some of the most difficult medical problems in the State. The University recognizes that the bulk of this care is delivered by the House Officers, along with the attending staff, who are licensed physicians. The University also recognizes that the quality of patient care is directly related to the supportive and ancillary services.

174

Supportive and ancillary services are those services commonly provided by hospitals, which free physicians from non-physician tasks and permit them to devote the bulk of their time to providing patient care.

175

The Employer agrees to provide timely phlebotomy service 24 hours a day every day. This service shall include, but not be limited to, blood cultures and all other laboratory draws in all units including all ICU's. However, in extraordinary circumstances only, the regular blood drawing service will not be required to draw blood. For purposes of this section, House Officers are not considered part of the regular blood drawing service. Extraordinary circumstances are defined to be, and limited to, life threatening situations in which a patient is "coding" or "about to code". Whether extraordinary circumstances exist will be determined by a House Officer's assessment of the patient's condition.

176

The Employer also agrees to provide timely IV services, which shall include, but not be limited to placement and maintenance of IV catheters. This service shall be provided 24 hours a day every day in all units including all ICU's.

177

The Employer agrees that no less than the current level of IV service will be maintained on an around-the-clock basis during the term of this agreement.

178

Reporting problems/concerns with designated ancillary services: Incidents will be reported on standard forms to the Association. As trends are recorded, the Association liaison will be appraised of the trend, and appropriate actions will be taken to address the problem.

ARTICLE XVIII. PARKING

179

The Association and the Employer agree to review all House Officer Parking Programs on a quarterly basis through the Labor-Management Committee (LMC). Under this Agreement, House Officers have three (3) different parking programs in order to meet the unique parking needs related to House Officers' work schedules and rotations, as well as access to the emergency entrance valet, as outlined in paragraph 174. These three (3) programs are referred to as the 24/7 Access Program, the After-Hours Access Program, and Coupon Access Program.

180

24/7 Access Program. The Employer currently provides designated parking in the form of 24/7 access to the P3 or P5 parking structures, with such access being provided to three hundred eighty-eight (388) eligible Employees at any given time. The parties acknowledge that due to the wide variation in House Officer schedules and the current limitations on how passes to these parking structures are programmed, each month there are a number of passes that go unused for part or all of the month. To promote full utilization of the 24/7 access program, the Employer will provide an additional twenty (20) passes for either the P3 or P5 parking structures. The Employer will periodically monitor the use of the additional passes and will notify the HOA of any concerns. The Employer reserves the right, after consultation with HOA, to retract some or all of these additional 20 passes in the event that more than 388 passes are being used on the same day on a regular and recurring basis. The Employer retains the discretion to determine the location of the 24/7 Access Program, or any portion thereof, within any of the follow structures; P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5. Further, it is understood that this 24/7 access remains available only for Employees who meet certain agreed upon criteria during a given period of time.

181

Programs can request access for qualifying House Officers no more frequently than every two (2) weeks. In order to participate, possession of an annual Blue AVI permit or a monthly Blue parking permit is required.

182

House Officers must park in spaces signed for program use and can only overflow into Visitor Parking when assigned structures become full.

183

House Officers must use the entrance/exit lanes assigned for this parking program.

184

The Employer and the Association shall, through the Labor-Management Committee (LMC), jointly review the allocation of available P3 24-Hour parking access between programs and agree upon any changes to those allocations by May 30 of each year.

185

Individual programs with an allocation of 24-Hour parking shall assign parking based on need. There shall be no year-long assignments and no assignments solely based on seniority or House Officer level. Oversight of the allocations will be monitored and reviewed by Operations and reports provided to the Association and reviewed quarterly at LMC for potential abuse and modification. If allocations are not fully utilized, they will be reallocated by the Association to another program with two weeks' notice. Program Directors, or their designees, are responsible for oversight of this process and final decision-making.

186

After-Hours Access Program. The Employer will provide access to P3 between 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and 24 hours on weekends. Logistics, Parking, and Transportation Services staff personnel may program this access onto the House Officer's annual Blue permit or on the House Officer's UMID badge (MCard) if they do not have a Blue permit. House Officers must park in spaces signed for program use at P3 and can only overflow into P3 patient/visitor parking or P2 when P3 becomes full. There is strict oversight of this program. Violators may face disciplinary action and/or lose their access. Employees must use the entrance/exit lanes assigned for this parking program.

187

Coupon Access Program. An Employee who has been assigned to an off-site location and is required to return to the Hospital prior to 4:00 p.m. (given that at 4:00pm they will have access to P3) will not have to pay for parking fees incurred in the Patient/Visitor Parking Structure (P2) during the required return period. This provision is intended for occasional, short-term parking and is not to be used for all-day parking. Exit from the parking structure will require a parking coupon with QR code, available primarily through their individual Program Administrators or the Program Administrator's designees. If the Program Administrator is not available, the parking vouchers will be available at the main entrance desk located on floor 1 of the Taubman Center prior to leaving the parking area.

188

Employees who are called to the Hospital for an emergency consult, whether in the Emergency Department or on a service, may use valet parking at the Emergency Entrance at no expense. Employees must provide the valet attendant with proper identification and indicate which service the consult is related to.

189

All House Officers with a House Officer level of HO6 and above are eligible to purchase a Gold parking permit.

190

The Employer reserves the right to modify this arrangement upon two (2) weeks' notice to the Association; provided, however that no such notice will be given until the Association has had the opportunity to discuss the matter with the University in an effort to solve the problem. While the Employer cannot foresee every reason for modification, modification will not be unreasonably exercised, i.e., will not be exercised without good reason. It is understood that impact on Patient/Visitor parking needs would be reason for modification. In any case, however, abuse of this arrangement shall always be reason for modifying the current arrangement. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, the number of Employees who may be eligible for 24/7 access at any given time shall not be less than the current number of three hundred eighty-eight (388) during the term of this Agreement without prior agreement of the Association.

191

Parking & Transportation Services will communicate changes to parking structures and parking processes to the HOA Board at least two (2) weeks prior to any change. At this point, one (1) parking services contact individual will be identified to communicate with the HOA Board during the transition period, which will begin two (2) weeks before the change and end at a time mutually agreed upon by the HOA Board and the Employer.

192

It is the intent of the Employer to maintain safe and convenient access for Employees from the P1-P5 parking structures into the medical center. The parties acknowledge that changes to access points may be necessary from time to time due to safety and security concerns, construction, or other operational conditions. Changes affecting access points will be communicated to the Association in advance whenever practicable. Concerns about access from the parking structures, will be addressed in Labor Management Committee, and the Employer will provide a response to the concern within fourteen (14) calendar days of the LMC meeting.

ARTICLE XIX. DISCIPLINE

193

The Employer shall not discharge or take other disciplinary action without just cause.

194

A grievance which concerns this Article shall begin at Step Three of the Grievance and Arbitration Procedure, provided it is submitted in writing at Step Three within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Employee of the Employer's written notification of the disciplinary action.

195

Matters of suspension or termination from, or appointment or non-reappointment to, a residency/fellowship training program, and all other actions related to academic or clinical performance, shall remain within the exclusive discretion of the University and shall not be subject to the Grievance and Arbitration Procedure set forth in Article XX. Whenever a House Officer is suspended, pending the outcome of an investigation, it will be with pay and benefits until the investigation is concluded and the House Officer is notified of the outcome, for a period of up to six (6) months. In the event the investigation and suspension extend beyond six (6) months, the continuation of pay and benefits is at the discretion of the Employer based on the circumstances. The affected House Officer and the Association will be notified of the suspension. A written explanation of the outcome of the investigation shall be provided to the affected House Officer and the Association via University email or other appropriate means.

196

Whenever practicable, House Officers will receive notice of non-reappointment no later than 4 months prior to the end of their training year.

  1. It is the intent of the Employer to assure that each House Officer is given appropriate due process in any issue concerning unsatisfactory work performance.
  2. Each training program will maintain a written policy regarding the criteria for promotion, and/or renewal of House Officer's appointment as per ACGME guidelines.
  3. Additionally, a copy of a program's policy on promotion and/or renewal of a House Officer's appointment, as well as any related policies on evaluation, remediation, probation, suspension, and termination will be provided to the House Officer Association or an individual House Officer, upon request.
  4. The Employer, however, retains the right to immediate termination of a House Officer without remediation in order to ensure the safety of either patients or staff.

197

It is understood that the collective bargaining agreement addresses the terms and conditions of employment but does not extend to oversight of a House Officer's academic training program.

198

However, the Employer and the House Officers Association share a common interest with regard to providing assistance and support for a House Officer in the event a House Officer receives notice of a remediation plan, probation, suspension, termination, or non-re-appointment from their Program Director.

199

The Employer agrees to assist the House Officer with making contact with the House Officers Association in such a circumstance, so that the House Officer is aware of the services and support that may be provided by the House Officers Association. To this end, the parties agree to meet at least Quarterly in the Labor-Management Committee to explore the best approach and method(s) for this assistance to be provided.

200

Nothing in this article is intended to amend, modify or otherwise impact a House Officer's status or rights under the Medical Staff Bylaws.

ARTICLE XX. GRIEVANCE AND ARBITRATION PROCEDURE

SECTION A. DEFINITION OF GRIEVANCE

201

A grievance is a disagreement, arising under and during the term of this Agreement, between either (1) the Employer and any Employee concerning (a) the Employee's employment and (b) the interpretation or application of the provisions of this Agreement or (2) the Association and the Employer concerning the interpretation and application of this Agreement on a question which is not an Employee grievance or which concerns more than one Employee, and involves a common fact situation and the same provision(s) of the Agreement.

SECTION B. ASSOCIATION GRIEVANCE FILING

202

In the event that the Association has a grievance, it shall begin at Step Three of the grievance procedure, provided the written complaint is received by the Director of Labor Relations or designee within twenty (20) calendar days following knowledge of the facts giving rise to the complaint. Such a grievance shall be submitted by the Association President, or the president's designated representative, on behalf of the Association or on behalf of more than one Employee involving a common fact situation and the same provision(s) of the Agreement.

SECTION C. REPRESENTATION

203

For this purpose, an Association representative may represent an aggrieved Employee as provided in the following sections. The Association will provide the Employer with a list of representatives appointed for this purpose.

SECTION D. PROCEDURE

204

The following procedure shall be the sole and exclusive means for resolving complaints or grievances.

205

Upon written request from the Association, the Employer shall provide available and relevant information which is necessary to properly process a grievance.

206

STEP ONE
An Employee may bring a grievance concerning their employment to the attention of their Department Chairperson (or equivalent level of supervision) or their designee and may attempt to resolve the grievance with or without the assistance of an Association representative. However, there shall be no resolution which is inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement.

207

STEP TWO
In order to be further processed under this Agreement, a grievance must be filed in writing within thirty (30) calendar days following knowledge of the facts giving rise to the complaint. A written grievance must be filed with the Employee's Department Chairperson (or equivalent level of supervision), or their designee by an Employee or by the Association on behalf of a named Employee. The Department Chairperson shall provide the Association with a written response within fourteen (14) calendar days of filing, or the discussion, whichever is the later.

208

STEP THREE
A written grievance which is not resolved at Step Two within fourteen (14) calendar days of filing or the discussion, whichever is the later, may be referred to the Director of Labor Relations or designee by the Association. The Association may timely refer a written grievance to Step Three at any time within ten (10) calendar days after either the expiration of the fourteen (14) calendar-day time limit or receipt by the Association of the Department Chairperson's written response, if later.

209

Any party may request discussion. The Director of Labor Relations or designee shall provide the Association with a written response within thirty (30) calendar days of filing, or the discussion, whichever is the later. The Employer and the Association may mutually agree to add a process for dispute mediation prior to arbitration. In this event, the parties will agree on a list of mediators to use and will share the costs of mediation equally.

210

STEP FOUR
A grievance as defined in Section A and which is not resolved at Step Three within thirty (30) calendar days of referral or the discussion, if any, may be submitted to arbitration. The Association may timely submit a grievance to arbitration any time within ten (10) calendar days after receipt by the Association of the Labor Relations' or designee's written answer.

211

In order to submit a grievance to arbitration, the Association shall file a written notice of intent to arbitrate with the Director of Labor Relations. Such notice shall identify the grievance and the issue, set forth the provisions of the Agreement involved, and set forth the rationale explaining how the Agreement has been violated and the remedy desired. If no such notice is given within the prescribed time limit, the grievance shall not be arbitrable.

212

The Employer and the Association shall establish a list of four (4) permanent umpires to preside over all arbitrations. Within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this agreement, the parties shall each submit a name of 10 arbitrators to one another. Each party shall strike the names of no more than six (6) potential arbitrators from the other's list. Should there be four (4) names acceptable to both parties, then those arbitrators shall be contacted for inclusion in the panel. Should fewer than four (4) mutually acceptable arbitrators remain, the parties shall generate a list of up to ten (10) additional arbitrators. The second list may contain those arbitrators identified as mutually agreeable during the first round. Should the second-round end with less than four (4) acceptable names, the parties will continue to meet to determine four (4) individuals who would be mutually acceptable for the panel. While such discussions are ongoing the parties shall use the below system for arbitration selection:

  1. The Employer and the Association may attempt to select an arbitrator. If there is no mutual selection of an arbitrator within seven (7) calendar days after notice of intent to arbitrate, selection of an arbitrator will be from a panel of seven arbitrators secured from the Federal Mediation & Conciliation (FMCS).
  2. No later than seven (7) calendar days after receipt of the panel, the parties will select an arbitrator by alternatively striking names. The order of striking will be determined by a coin toss. The remaining name will serve as arbitrator.

213

The umpires shall hear cases on a rotating basis. The umpires shall maintain their position until such time they retire, resign, or are in any other way unable to serve in the capacity of arbitrator between the Employer and the Association. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, either party may strike a permanent arbitrator within 30 days after the expiration of the Agreement and use the process described in paragraph 212.A and 212.B above for selecting a replacement. In such a case, within thirty (30) days, the parties shall request an FMCS panel to determine the replacement. In such a case, within thirty (30) days, the parties shall request an FMCS panel to determine the replacement.

214

Every grievance submitted to an arbitrator for decision shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

215

Either the Employer or the Association or both shall notify the arbitrator of their selection and upon their acceptance shall forward to the arbitrator a copy of the grievance, the Employer's answer at Step Three, the Association's notice to the Director of Labor Relations as provided for in this section, and a copy of the Agreement. A copy of this communication, except a copy of the Agreement, shall be sent to either the Employer or the Association as the case may be. In the event the arbitrator does not accept being selected, the selection process shall be repeated until an arbitrator has accepted selection.

216

Upon receipt of this communication, the arbitrator shall fix the time for hearing the issue or issues submitted for decision. All arbitration hearings shall be held at 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, (the main medical campus), unless the Employer and the Association mutually agree on another location.

217

At the time of the arbitration hearing both the Employer and the Association shall have the right to examine and cross-examine witnesses.

218

Upon the request of either the Employer or the Association, or both, a transcript of the hearing shall be made and furnished to the arbitrator, if the arbitrator so requests, with the Employer and the Association having an opportunity to purchase their own copy. The party requesting the transcript shall bear the full cost of the arbitrator's copy, unless it is mutually requested. In such a case, the cost shall be shared equally.

219

At the close of the hearing, the arbitrator shall afford the Employer and the Association a reasonable opportunity to furnish briefs if either party requests the opportunity.

220

The jurisdictional authority of the arbitrator is defined as, and limited to, the determination of any grievance (as defined above) submitted to them consistent with this Agreement and considered by them in accordance with this Agreement.

221

The arbitrator shall not have any authority to add to, subtract from, or otherwise modify any of the terms, clauses, or provisions of the Agreement.

222

The fees and expenses of the arbitrator shall be shared equally by the Employer and the Association. The expenses of, and the compensation for, each and every witness and representative for either the Employer or the Association shall be paid by the party producing the witness or having the representative.

223

The arbitrator shall render their decision in writing as soon as possible.

224

The arbitrator's decision, when made in accordance with their jurisdiction and authority established by this Agreement, shall be final and binding upon the Employer, the Association, and the Employee or Employees involved.

SECTION E. TIME LIMITS

225

The time limits set forth in this Article may be extended only by mutual agreement of the parties. Whenever time limits are used in this Article actual electronic email receipt or a postmark, if mailed, will control.

ARTICLE XXI. EMPLOYER RIGHTS

226

All employer rights, powers, discretion, authority, and prerogatives are retained by and shall remain exclusively vested in the Employer, except as clearly and specifically limited by this Agreement.

ARTICLE XXII. NON-INTERFERENCE

227

The Association and its officials will not cause, support, encourage, or condone, nor shall any Employee or Employees take part in any concerted action against or any concerted interference with the operations of the Employer, such as the failure to report for duty, the absence from one's position, the stoppage of work, or the failure, in whole or in part, to fully, faithfully, and properly perform the duties of employment. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit individual participation in an activity that is unrelated to the employment relationship.

228

In the event of any such action or interference, and on notice from the Employer, the Association, through its officials, will immediately disavow such action or interference and act affirmatively to prevent or bring about the termination of such action or interference by instructing any and all Employees to cease their misconduct and informing them that this misconduct is a violation of the Agreement, subjecting them to disciplinary action, including discharge.

229

If the Association, through its officials, performs its obligations as set forth in this Article, the Employer agrees that it will not file or prosecute any action for damages against the Association or its officials. Nothing herein, however, shall preclude the Employer from proceeding against any Employee involved in such action or interference.

ARTICLE XXIII. NON-DISCRIMINATION

230

The Employer and the Association agree that there will be no discrimination in the application of this Agreement because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, disability, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, or any other protected class recognized by the State of Michigan or Federal law.

231

Nothing in this Article shall be construed to prevent an Employee alleging discrimination from exercising constitutional or statutory rights which may be available. A House Officer also has the right to pursue a legal remedy for sexual harassment in addition to, or instead of, using internal reporting procedures.

232

The Employer and the Association recognize the need for increased female and under-represented minority representation in all areas of medicine. We support efforts to increase representation at The University of Michigan Health System.

233

In addition, the Employer agrees to provide the Association with data annually of the female and minority representation of the House Staff.

234

The Employer and the Association will continue to support mutually agreeable programs to promote the diversity of the House Staff.

235

The Employer and HOA are committed to preventing and eliminating discrimination and sexual harassment of all staff. To that end, all parties will agree to follow the University policies and procedures regarding Discrimination and Sexual Harassment.

236

House Officers will be informed of the University's policies and procedures regarding harassment and discrimination issues during new hire orientation, and on an annual basis as part of the sexual misconduct learning module. In the interest of providing support to the House Officers, information about resources available to assist House Officers with instances of discrimination or sexual harassment is available online via the following link: https://sexual misconduct.umich.edu.

ARTICLE XXIV. ASSOCIATION DUES

237

During the life of this Agreement and to the extent the laws of the State of Michigan permit, every employee, beginning with the month following (1) thirty (30) calendar days after the execution date of this Agreement or (2) thirty (30) calendar days after employment in the bargaining unit, whichever date is the later, and monthly thereafter, beginning September and ending in June, may tender to the Association either periodic and uniformly established dues, or, in the alternative, a service charge in an amount equivalent to periodic and uniformly established dues. Such membership dues can be tendered or paid to the Association either as provided in Article XXV, Check-Off of Association Dues, or by direct cash to the Association.

SECTION A. INDEMNIFICATION

238

The Association shall indemnify and save the Employer harmless from any and all claims, demands, suits or any other action arising from this Article. The Association specifically agrees to indemnify and hold the Employer harmless for any liability arising under MCL 423.210, as amended effective 91 days after adjournment of the 2012 regular session sine die, including but not limited to damages, court costs and reasonable attorney fees awarded to a plaintiff under MCL 423.210(10).

ARTICLE XXV. CHECK OFF OF ASSOCIATION DUES

239

During the term of this Agreement, and as provided in this Article, the Employer will deduct Association dues or the representation-service fee from the salary, if any, of each Employee who authorizes such a deduction by filling out a Voluntary Authorization for Deduction of Association Dues or Representation-Service Fee form prepared by the Association, using language acceptable to the Employer. Employees will deliver Voluntary Authorization for Deduction of Association Dues or Representation-Service Fee forms to the Association. The Association will notify the Employer that a deduction has been authorized. These notifications will be accomplished via delivery of the following information to the University Payroll Office on mutually-agreed upon dates in a mutually agreed-upon electronic format: Employee name, Employee eight (8) digit identification number, and whether the deduction is for association dues or representation service fees.

SECTION A. SAVINGS CLAUSE

240

240 In the event that the provisions of the Public Employment Relations Act prohibiting the mandatory payment of union dues or service fee are repealed or there is a partial repeal or modification of MCL 423.210 the parties agree to negotiate over any changes to this article. In the event that the provisions of the Public Employment Relations Act prohibiting the mandatory payment of union dues or a service fee are repealed, the conditional language in Paragraph 222 will be enforced as a condition of employment.

SECTION B. CHECK OFF OF ASSOCIATION DUES

241

During the term of this Agreement, and as provided in this Article, the Employer will deduct Association dues from the salary, if any, of each employee who authorizes such a deduction by filling out a Voluntary Authorization for Deduction of Association Dues form prepared by the Association and using language as provided below. Previously submitted authorizations shall remain effective. Employees will deliver Voluntary Authorization for Deduction of Association Dues forms to the Association. The Association will provide the Employer with a copy of the signed authorization forms for each house officer authorizing dues deduction. This authorization form may include an electronic signature so long as proof of receipt of the electronic signature can be demonstrated as in the past. These notifications will be accomplished via delivery of all legally required information to the University payroll office on mutually-agree upon dates in a mutually agreed-upon electronic format.

VOLUNTARY AUTHORIZATION FOR DEDUCTION OF ASSOCIATION DUES

I hereby authorize UMHS to deduct from my wages each month excluding July and August, and to pay the House Officers Association (HOA), an amount equal to the monthly dues and assessments, or representational fees or charges that may apply in lieu thereof, as a result of my representation by HOA. I further direct that such amounts so deducted shall be turned over each month to the Director of the HOA for and on my behalf.

I authorize these deductions for, and in consideration of, the Association's activities in representing me for collective bargaining and other purposes, and without regard to my present or future membership in the Association.

This authorization and assignment is made voluntarily and of my own free will, and shall be irrevocable for the term of the applicable contract between the HOA and my employer or for one year, whichever is the lesser, and shall automatically renew itself for successive yearly or applicable contract periods thereafter, whichever is the lesser, unless I give written notice of my desire to revoke same to the HOA and Employer on a form provided by the Employer.

DATED
SIGNATURE
PRINT NAME
Uniqname
Employee ID#

SECTION C. CERTIFICATION OF TREASURER OF ASSOCIATION

242

The following certification form shall be used by the Association when certifying membership dues:

CERTIFICATION OF TREASURER OF THE ASSOCIATION

I certify that the membership dues for employees in this bargaining unit are $_________ per 12-month appointment.

Date _______________
Signature ________________
TREASURER OF THE HOUSE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Date of Delivery to University________________

SECTION D. PROCEDURE FOR THE COLLECTION OF ASSOCIATION DUES

243

Such written certification must be delivered to the Employer no later than August in any year to become effective.

244

Payroll deductions shall begin in September and be one-tenth (1/10) of the certified dues and shall be taken from the following ten (10) paychecks. The initial deduction for any Employee shall not begin unless both (1) a properly executed "Voluntary Authorization for Deduction of Dues" and (2) the amount of monthly membership dues certified by the treasurer of the Association has been delivered to the University at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the last pay day of the calendar month. Changes in the amount of the monthly membership dues must be delivered to the University at a place designated by the University at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the last pay day of the calendar month before the change will become effective.

245

An Employee may revoke the Employee's "Voluntary Authorization Deduction of Dues" at any time by written notification to the Employer on a form provided by the Employer. Payroll deductions shall terminate when a revocation has been delivered to the University Payroll Office at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the last payday of the calendar month. The Employer shall provide a copy of any revocation request to the HOA within five (5) days of receipt.

246

In the event that there are not sufficient months to take ten (10) deductions, the remaining amount will be taken from the member's last payroll of the current fiscal year, regardless of month. The Association will continue the practice of providing the Employer with a list of exceptions each month. The Employer will make any necessary adjustments in the following pay period.

247

Remittance of amounts deducted shall be made via wire transfer to the Association's bank by the fifteenth (15th) of the month following the month of deduction, together with a list of names and the amount deducted for each Employee for whom a deduction was made.

248

The Employer shall not be liable to the Association for the remittance or payment of any sum other than that constituting actual deductions from salary.

249

The Association shall indemnify and save the Employer harmless from any liability resulting from any and all claims, demands, suits, or any other action arising from compliance with this Article, or in reliance on any notice or authorization furnished under this Article. The Association specifically agrees to indemnify and hold the Employer harmless for any liability arising under MCL 423.210, as amended effective 91 days after adjournment of the 2012 regular session sine die, including but not limited to damages, court costs and reasonable attorney fees awarded to a plaintiff under MCL 423.210(10).

250

The Association specifically agrees to make whatever adjustments are necessary directly with any Employee who may, as a result of this deduction procedure, pay more or less than the Association's annual dues.

251

Notwithstanding the execution and delivery of the Voluntary Authorization for Deduction of Association Dues form, an Employee may voluntarily revoke previously authorized payroll deductions by submitting written notification to the Employer. The Employer shall provide a copy of any revocation request to the HOA within five (5) days of receipt. Payroll deductions shall terminate when a revocation has been delivered to the University Payroll Office at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the last payday of the calendar month. Unless revoked by the Employee, dues deduction authorizations shall remain in effect for the duration of the Employee's employment as a House Officer.

ARTICLE XXVI. REPORTS PROVIDED TO ASSOCIATION

252

The Employer shall furnish the Association an initial list of names, departments, uniqnames pager numbers, and UMID# of new House Officers, by May 1st annually, through the contract administrator. Changes to this list will be promptly communicated to the Association, as applicable.

253

The Employer shall provide the Association a list of: First name, Last name, UMID, Sex, Birthdate, HO level, Date in Class, Salary rate from the Employer (different than the FTE rate for grant funded), Status, Permanent Address, Home Phone, Department Number, Program, Business Phone, e-mail address, unique name and pager numbers, and if applicable, leave of absence and termination status. The Employer shall furnish the Association a copy of this information at monthly intervals thereafter The Association may request reports on House Officers on an ad hoc basis from the contract administrator. The Association shall retain any report information in confidence and disclose it only to those whose Association duties, or duties on behalf of the Association, require them to have such information. Problem solving around issues that arise with such lists and information shall occur through the Labor-Management Committee or Conferences, which can be requested by either party. The Employer endeavors to provide accurate information and will communicate any known exceptions in all information provided to the Association. The Employer will correct any inaccuracies reported by the Association, in a timely manner.

254

The Association will be given 30 days-notice if the electronic file format of the information provided through HR Information Systems is changed as the Association will then need to update their systems accordingly.

ARTICLE XXVII. ASSOCIATION RIGHTS AND REPRESENTATION

255

In order to provide additional means of communication with its membership, the Association will be provided access to designated bulletin boards in all major hospital buildings (e.g. University Hospital, Women's & Children's, CVC, Kellogg), including new and replacement buildings. The number of bulletin boards per building should be proportional to the volume of resident traffic in a given building, and can be agreed upon between the Association and the Employer.

256

Bulletin Boards and email are the means for communicating written materials to the Employees by the Association. The Employer's mail distribution system is not available for use by the Association, except that the Association may hand deliver and place communications in a House Officer's mailbox.

257

The Employer shall provide the Association with lockable bulletin boards designated for its exclusive use in not less than twelve (12) mutually agreeable areas, including one outside the House Officer Association offices, for the purpose of posting Association notices. Association bulletin boards are to be available in all major hospital structures, including new and replacement buildings. Each bulletin board shall be sufficient to hold four (4), eight (8) inch by eleven (11) inch notices. Such notices shall be approved by a responsible officer of the Association. The content of these notices may include, but is not limited to information regarding:

  1. Association meetings;
  2. Association elections and appointments;
  3. Results of Association elections;
  4. Recreational and social events of the Association;
  5. General communication relevant to the Association's role as a collective bargaining agent.

258

In the event of a dispute concerning the appropriateness of material posted, the President of the Association will be advised of the nature of the dispute. If the dispute is not resolved within forty-eight (48) hours, the notices will be removed until the dispute is resolved.

259

House Officers shall have access to their Association Representatives without any undue burden. In facilities where more than 25% of the Association bargaining unit provides patient care, the Employer will support House Officers having secure, convenient, and private access to HOA representatives. To that end, the Employer will provide Association Staff:

  1. Access to all House Officer-designated work rooms or respite spaces.
  2. Access to the University's Internet/Intranet;
  3. Continued access to daily parking on the same terms and conditions as the University's parking programs are made available to University staff. No new Gold parking AVI's will be issued to HOA staff.

ARTICLE XXVIII. STAFF REDUCTION

260

After commencing work, an Employee shall not be laid off or terminated during the Employee's current appointment year, except as provided in this Article.

261

The Employer intends to make a good-faith commitment not to terminate a House Officer during the course of their training program because of economic issues. It is agreed that there shall be Association representatives on institutional committees considering residency number decreases. In the event of a reduction of Employees or an elimination of bargaining unit positions that may affect an Employee in any future appointment year, the Employer shall notify the Association and Employees who could be affected as soon as practicable after the Employer has reason to believe the change may be implemented. In the event of application of this paragraph, the Employer would make every effort to provide notification by November 1, prior to a July 1 reduction. In this regard, the University, through the Graduate Medical Education Office, shall provide annual reports to the Association, giving any changes in the number of House Officer positions in each department or section. In the event of a House Officer being terminated because of external forces, out-placement (career counseling and support) services will be offered by the Employer. The Association shall have the opportunity to advise the Employer of its position in regard to any such reduction of Employees or elimination of positions prior to its implementation when this is possible.

ARTICLE XXIX. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

262

The Employer has an interest in facilitating the participation of House Officers on certain committees, for the purpose of enhancing both the House Officer's professional development and the work of the committee. The Association may appoint House Officers to represent the Association on specified committees, as set forth in this Article. Prior to accepting an appointment by the HOA to serve as its representative to a committee, or as the alternate representative, the House Officer will notify their Program Director of the anticipated committee appointment and the committee's meeting schedule and will identify any potential schedule or work assignment obligations that could interfere with regular meeting attendance. The Program Director will, if necessary, meet with the House Officer to discuss how meeting attendance may be accommodated. The Program Director will thereafter make all reasonable efforts to accommodate the House Officer's attendance at committee meetings.

263

The Association will have the ability to appoint two (2) members to serve on the GMEC. Two (2) additional seats on the GMEC will be selected through a general election process conducted by the Graduate Medical Education (GME) Office. Each House Officer member of the GMEC would receive a vote on the committee.

264

The following categories of committees shall have one (1) seat allotted for an HOA appointed representative for each committee contained within:

  1. Executive Committee on Clinical Affairs (ECCA) and ECCA subcommittees.
  2. Hospital OR Committees
  3. GMEC subcommittees.
  4. Other: MiChart Clinical Advisory Committee (MCAC), Clinic Radiation subcommittee, Critical Care Steering Committee, Health System Clinical Quality Committee (HSCQC), VA Partnership Affiliation Committee, VA Health Professional Education Committee.

265

For committees referenced in paragraph 264, the Association may appoint one (1) alternate House Officer who will be eligible to participate in meetings if and only if the primary HOA representative is unable to attend a scheduled meeting. The alternate will be identified by name, added to the master committee member list, and shall be the only Association alternate eligible to participate should the primary HOA representative be unavailable. When the alternative representative will attend the committee meeting, the alternative representative will provide advance notice to the committee chair, if practicable.

266

The Employer is committed to supporting the participation of House Officers appointed by the Association to committees and will explore for the use of technology to enhance opportunities for participation.

267

The Association reserves the right for final selection and/or approval for each Employee committee member when said Employee committee member will, in general, serve as an Association representative. At least one Association-endorsed (1) Employee member shall be designated to each committee listed above, with the exception of the GME Committee. In addition to the Association appointed representative, the Employer reserves the right to appoint any additional House Officers to any committees as it deems appropriate.

268

Only the Employer shall appoint a House Officer to each of the following committees:

  1. GME Special Review Committee
  2. Credentialing and Privileging Committee
  3. Clinical Review Committee

269

It is understood that the voting rights of the Employee committee members may vary by committee, and members on a committee shall, in general, have one (1) vote, except in the case of Employee members of the GME Committee, or when otherwise mutually agreed upon by both the Employee member(s) and the respective Committee Chair.

270

Association appointed members will brief the Association on updates from committee meetings as needed. Minutes, communications, and agendas of committees containing an Association member will be available upon request to the Association Administrator.

271

The Association shall furnish the Employer, with the names of the Employee member(s) it appoints to each of the listed committees. The Employer shall maintain an up-to-date master Committee member list and shall promptly notify the respective Committee Chair(s) of any Employee membership changes so that the appointed House Officers will receive timely communications regarding Committee meetings and business. At least annually, the Employer and Association shall meet to discuss committees containing an Association representative and whether the University has established new committees within the categories listed within paragraph 264.

272

For standing or ad-hoc committees, not referenced in paragraphs 264-268 of this Article, whose work is solely administrative or operational in nature, and does not concern clinical care or operations, or academic policy or issues, and the committee's scope of work is relevant to the working conditions of House Officers, the Association may appoint a House Officer representative, and shall promptly notify the Employer's contract administrator so that the representative may be added to the master Committee member list. In addition, or in the alternative to the House Officer representative attending, one Association staff member may attend the meetings described in this paragraph, with 48 hours' (in business days) prior notice to the Employer's HOA contract administrator and the committee chair.

273

In the event that a new committee is established, the Employer and the Association, by mutual agreement, may include an Association-endorsed Employee committee member on the new committee. If, by mutual agreement, it is decided that it is not necessary to appoint an Employee to a committee, alternative means for soliciting Employee input on issues of concern to the Employees and the Association shall be agreed upon mutually.

274

It is understood that when a committee agenda includes a subject concerning the Employer's relationship (existing or potential) with any union, or involves the administration of any collective bargaining agreement or wages or benefits for any Employee, whether or not members of this bargaining unit, Employees in attendance may be excused from that portion of the committee meeting by the Chair of the Committee.

ARTICLE XXX. MEDICAL STAFF BYLAWS AND BYLAWS SUPPLEMENT

275

Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, a House Officer shall be subject to the University of Michigan Health System Medical Staff Bylaws and Bylaws Supplement, and as they may be amended from time to time. No matter concerning or arising under these Bylaws, Rules and Regulations shall be subject to the Grievance and Arbitration Procedure Article of this Agreement, except for those matters specifically provided in this Agreement. Each House Officer, at the time of employment, will be provided with a copy of the University of Michigan Health System Medical Staff Bylaws and Bylaws Supplement.

ARTICLE XXXI. REIMBURSEMENTS

SECTION A. TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT

276

If a House Officer is assigned to a facility that is more than fifteen (15) miles round trip to and from the University, they shall receive reimbursement for the total mileage, at the University's standard rate at the time of assignment. The University Hospital shall be considered the point of origin. Reimbursement will be made by the House Officer's Department upon request of the House Officer.

277

Reimbursement shall not be required when transportation is provided or made available by the Employer.

278

When a House Officer's Program Director approves a professional development experience and expenses approved for reimbursement are incurred, the House Officer and the designated delegates and approvers will abide by the timeliness requirements established for reimbursement. If a House Officer does not meet the timeliness standards, the Department may decline reimbursement, however, at no time will a House Officer fail to be reimbursed if the CONCUR delegate and/or approver fails to meet the deadline.

279

To the extent practicable, the Association will be notified of any changes in the reimbursement policy thirty (30) days prior to the implementation of any change so that the Association can assist in the communication of the changes to Employees.

SECTION B. USMLE STEP 3/COMLEX LEVEL 3 EXAM REIMBURSEMENT

280

For residents only, when taken prior to the House Officer's final residency program year at the University of Michigan, the University will reimburse a House Officer for the application fee for USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX Level 3 examination. This reimbursement also applies to a resident completing a one-year transitional residency at the University. Reimbursement will be for the examination application fee only and reimbursement is available for one (1) attempt.

281

A resident is eligible for reimbursement if they submit their score sheet to the Program along with the required documentation, as determined by their department, to their CONCUR delegate or designee within 30 calendar days of receiving the exam results. For a resident in a one-year transitional residency, the completed reimbursement request and documentation must be submitted no later than June 1.

282

If the House Officer took the exam before starting on University payroll, there will be no reimbursement.

283

If the House Officer registered for the exam prior to starting on University payroll, but did not take the exam until after they were on University payroll, they are eligible for reimbursement if the expense was incurred on or after the date that the House Officer was nationally matched with the University Program.

284

In no event will the University reimburse for an expense that was incurred more than 12 months prior to the expense being submitted through CONCUR. If a House Officer is submitting an expense report more than 30 days from the date they took the exam, a copy of the email notifying them of their test result being available must be included. This allows staff reviewing the expense report to confirm it has been submitted within 30 days of receiving test scores.

ARTICLE XXXII. REVISED APPOINTMENT YEAR

285

House Officer I's will be appointed for a period other than July 1 to June 30 in all departments. This revised appointment will be defined as the first day of orientation or first day of work, whichever is first. Exceptions to this provision may be made based on the availability of individual House Officer I's or in departments where direct inpatient care is not provided. In the event that any House Officer I is assigned to remain on duty for one or more days following the end of the appointment year to assist in the orientation of new House Officer I's, equivalent time off will be provided at some other time, either before or after the assignment.

ARTICLE XXXIII. ORIENTATION FOR HOUSE OFFICERS

286

The Employer will provide an on-line orientation for new House Officers at the beginning of employment. The House Officers Association will be provided the opportunity to make a pre-recorded video presentation, which will be included as part of the mandatory electronic orientation materials. The HOA video presentation will be no more than 15 minutes in length and will be distributed in the same manner as the Employer distributes other electronic orientation materials.

287

In addition to the on-line orientation modules, the Employer currently organizes at the institutional level (e.g. organized by the GME Office), in-person on-boarding days for incoming Employees, which typically include activities such as obtaining their University identification badges, completing the Occupational Health Services health assessment, and I-9 completion. To the extent that the Employer continues to organize these institutional-level on-boarding days, the Association will be provided with the opportunity to have face-to-face interaction with House Officers at any such events that are held for groups of 20 or more House Officers and occur between June 16 and August 1 each year. The HOA shall be provided with space similar to that provided to the University of Michigan Health System or University departments or groups who participate in the on-boarding days, in a visible location, and shall have the opportunity to distribute written literature. For all other incoming House Officers, the Employer will provide each House Officer with a hard-copy packet of information about the Association during the on-boarding process. Each year, no later than May 1, the Employer will notify the Association of the approximate number of packets needed for this purpose. The Association will provide the packets to the Employer no later than June 1.

288

The Employer will not require incoming House Officers to render services to the Employer prior to the employment start date. Standard prerequisites for entering employment or training shall not be considered compensable services, except that the Employer will provide the opportunity for HOI's to receive BLS, ACLS and/or PALS certification during the institutional orientation.

ARTICLE XXXIV. WAIVER

289

The Employer and the Association acknowledge that during the negotiations which resulted in this Agreement each had the unlimited right and opportunity to make demands and proposals with respect to any subject or matter not removed by law from the area of collective bargaining, and that the understanding and agreements arrived at by the parties after the exercise of that right and opportunity are set forth in this Agreement. Therefore, the Employer and the Association for the life of this Agreement each voluntarily and unqualifiedly waives the right, and agrees the other shall not be obliged, to bargain collectively with respect to any subject or matter referred to or covered in this Agreement, or with respect to any subject or matter referred to in the negotiation of this Agreement.

ARTICLE XXXV. RESTRICTIVE COVENANT

290

In accordance with the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education, no House Officer will be required to sign a non-competition guarantee. Additionally, no House Officer will be bound by such covenants signed prior to or during tenure as House Officer. House Officers may be asked to sign a non-competition agreement for future employment as faculty at the University of Michigan.

ARTICLE XXXVI. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND CELLULAR PHONE STIPEND

SECTION A. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

291

The University of Michigan and the HOA recognize the increasing need for information technology in the provision of patient care. Additionally, in the setting of changing work hour requirements, both parties appreciate the importance of accessing IT resources outside the hospital. To this end, the Employer is committed to assuring appropriate internal and external access to and training for all necessary IT resources including, but not limited to the hardware, software, clinical information systems, pagers (and/or other appropriate communication device), e-mail and other applications and networking capabilities necessary to perform House Officer responsibilities. When the Employer intends to make significant changes to these IT resources or how they are provided to Employees, the Employer shall provide the HOA with advance notice and the opportunity to discuss the impact of those changes on House Officers. The Labor-Management Committee will be one mechanism by which technology issues will be addressed on an on-going basis.

292

The Employer will continue to provide an institutional site license available to House Officers for Up-to-Date, or equivalent and mutually acceptable on-site, on-line data service. The HOA may submit alternative on-line consult services for consideration, via the Hospital's Administrative Liaison to the House Officers Association.

293

There will be House Officer participation in the design, testing, implementation and training of information systems, which affect House Officers. To facilitate this effort, the HOA shall appoint an Information Technology Liaison. This individual shall be recognized by the Employer as the primary House Officer spokesperson for information technology. They may either sit on or appoint representatives to serve on committees and will coordinate House Officer participation within the Medical Center.

SECTION B. CELLULAR PHONE STIPEND

294

The Employer recognizes that the work performed by House Officers is facilitated by the ability to respond via phone for patient care and to remotely access sensitive institutional and confidential patient data establishes a demonstrable need for those House Officers to use their personal cell phones in service to the Employer.

295

In recognition of this need, the Employer agrees to pay a monthly cell phone stipend, in accordance with University policy, in the amount of sixty dollars ($60.00) per month for all House Officers. In accordance with this policy, the House Officer is responsible for purchasing the cell phone and related service contract with their personal funds.

296

In order for the stipend to be payable, the House Officer will be required to complete a Verification Statement for Stipend Form and provide it to their Program Administrator. The form will be e-mailed directly to every incoming House Officer, and will be available for download online. The Verification Statement for Stipend Form shall be submitted only after employment has commenced, to ensure that the required security applications have been installed. If the completed form is received on or before the 15th of the month, the stipend shall be payable in the same month the form was submitted. If the form is received after the 15th, the stipend shall be payable starting with the next full month of employment.

297

In order to qualify for and maintain receipt of the monthly stipend, the House Officer will ensure that their cell phone remains in compliance with University policy regarding the security of personally owned devices that access or maintain sensitive institutional and/or patient data including, but not limited to, the installation of any required security software on their cell phone, and will install any applications as required by the University for the performance of the House Officer's responsibilities. The House Officer will notify their Program Administrator if, at any time, their cell phone ceases to comply with University Policies regarding the security of personally owned devices. So long as the phone remains in compliance, and there is no break in employment, the original Verification for Stipend Form will remain valid for all years of continuous employment as a House Officer.

ARTICLE XXXVII. FELONY DISCLOSURE

298

Effective July 1, 2020, House Officers shall be subject to the provisions of the University's Standard Practice Guideline (SPG) 601.38, "Required Disclosure of Felony Charges and/or Felony Convictions." On the same terms and conditions as non-bargaining unit staff members. SPG 601.38 may be referenced online at the following link: https://spg.umich.edu/policy/601.38

299

In recognition that a training extension could result from a decision to relieve a House Officer of clinical responsibilities, or all responsibilities, pending disposition of a felony charge, the HOA may file a grievance no later than seven (7) calendar days after notice to the House Officer of the Employer's decision to relieve the House Officer of clinical responsibilities or all responsibilities under this Article. An arbitration hearing will be held and a decision rendered by the arbitrator no later than fourteen (14) calendar days after receipt of the grievance. The arbitrator will be asked to determine whether the action taken was for just cause.

300

Arbitrations held pursuant to this article shall be heard by one (1) arbitrator from a three-person panel that will be mutually agreed upon by the Employer and the Association no later than thirty (30) days after ratification of the Agreement. Arbitrators will be selected on a rotating basis. If an arbitrator is provided notice and the case does not go to hearing for any reason, the assigned arbitrator will go to the bottom of the list just as though they had heard the case.

301

The grievance and arbitration process described in this paragraph is an interim measure applicable only to a decision to relieve a House Officer of clinical responsibilities or all responsibilities because of a felony charge, and is not applicable to final employment decision. In addition, an arbitrator's decision to order the Employer to return the House Officer to duty will have no effect on the University's right to assign responsibilities to a House Officer as it deems appropriate. Nothing in this paragraph limits the University's right to terminate employment or take action as would otherwise be available under the Agreement.

302

In the event the Association files a grievance pursuant to this Article on behalf of a House Officer who has been relieved from clinical responsibilities or all responsibilities, that House Officer shall be placed on a paid administrative leave during the interim grievance and arbitration process described in this Article, up to a maximum of 21 days from the date the House Officer was informed of the Employer's decision to relieve them of clinical responsibilities or all responsibilities.

ARTICLE XXXVIII. FITNESS FOR DUTY

303

"Fitness for Duty" means that the employee is physically and mentally capable of safely performing the essential functions of their job. House Officers are subject to Fitness for Duty evaluations consistent with the Michigan Medicine Practitioner and Medical School Faculty Impairment Policy & Procedure, 04-06-046. A House Officer will not be referred for a Fitness for Duty evaluation based solely on the fact they have taken Maternity Leave and/or Parental Leave.


MOU I. VA AGREEMENT

304

This confirms our understanding and support of the following agreement between the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS) and its VAAAHS/University of Michigan Affiliation Partnership Council, and the Regents of the University of Michigan and the University of Michigan House Officers Association. The VAAAHS/University of Michigan Affiliation Partnership Council will monitor the conditions outlined in the agreement to assure compliance.

305

It is understood that disagreements or need for clarification which may arise over conditions outlined in this agreement may be discussed at the VA Health Professions Education Committee and may be referred after discussion at the Health Professions Education Committee to the VA Affiliations Partnership Committee.

306

House Officers rotating at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System are viewed by veterans as integral to their health care. Given that the VA is a federal facility with its own rules and regulations, the House Staff are subject to all the rules and regulations of the VA as Trainees.

307

The VA Health Professions Education Committee will hear House Officer issues related to patient care, work and work environment that are not department-specific. The Health Professions Education Committee meets quarterly; and a House Officer who serves on the committee may request additional meetings. Program-specific issues should be brought to the attention of the VA service chief and/or VA GME rotation supervisor. If further discussion is needed, the Associate Chief of Staff for Education at the VA and/or the Chairperson of the University of Michigan department may be involved.

308

VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System agrees to abide by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education guidelines as they apply to the VA Hospital.

309

House officers who are required by their service to be in-house overnight shall have suitable and secure call rooms. Secured areas for belongings will be available to House Officers. Key card access is available as well as access via the emergency room entrance. House Officers will not be required to pay for overnight or weekend parking, but must register their car with VA Police to receive access to the appropriate parking structure. House Officers who have registered for free, overnight parking, are expected to leave the parking structure upon completion of morning rounds.

310

House officers rotating at the VA will be provided with meals or pre-loaded cards for VA Canteen use consistent to the qualification guidelines followed by the house officers rotating at University of Michigan. Qualifying house officers will be provided with a $75, $50, or $25 cards commensurate with number of shifts and calls they are assigned 12 hours or longer in length. The amount of the meal allowances provided by the VA will approximate 75%, on average, of those provided at the University. In the event VA policy applicable to such meal allowances changes, the Employer shall provide the Association with advance notice, and will meet with the Association to discuss the impact on House Officers. Due to the workload there are times where the additional distribution of cards is warranted and provided. For scheduled shifts during hours that the VA Canteen is not open, meals shall be available to House Officers pursuant to procedures specified by the VA. A meal ordering service will be provided to House Officers rotating at the VA pursuant to a procedure established by the VA and provided to HOA. If there is an operational need to revise these procedures, the Employer will provide advance notice to the HOA, and the parties will meet to discuss and address any concerns the HOA has about the changes.

311

VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, the University of Michigan, and the House Officers Association share a common interest and commitment to safety. Each agree to work together and with officials from the University of Michigan Planners Office and the City of Ann Arbor.

For The Regents of
The University of Michigan

By: Wade Baughman
Date:

The University of Michigan
House Officers Association

By: Dr. Kyle Johnson
Date:


MOU II. VA HIRING REGULATIONS

312

In the interest of providing information pertinent to potential Employees, the Employer will provide the VA website that contains details surrounding the VA hiring regulations in the interview invitation letter or at the time of interview. The intent is to provide an opportunity for applicants to access such information whose potential training programs would require rotations at the VA Hospital prior to the acceptance of a House Officer position at the University of Michigan.

For The Regents of
The University of Michigan

By: Michelle Sullivan
Date:

The University of Michigan
House Officers Association

By: Dr. Meg Smith
Date:

By: Dr. Victoria Hoch
Date:


MOU III. CHILDCARE

313

Currently there is not committee on the subject of childcare. To the extent that a future campus-wide committee on the subject of childcare is formed, an Association endorsed representative will be allowed to participate.

314

The Employer recognizes the difficulty in obtaining affordable and well-trained childcare providers during emergencies for house officers. The Employer will support the ability of house officers to utilize the Kids Care at Home at the subsidized rate for 48 hours/year with the goal of increasing this rate to at least 72 hours/year.

315

The Employer recognizes the need for flexible caregivers to be available for house officers who are unable to care for dependents outside of normal childcare centers due to clinical responsibilities. An hourly rate as well as caregiver responsibilities will be negotiated between the house officer and the childcare provider.

For The Regents of
The University of Michigan

By: Michelle Sullivan
Date:

The University of Michigan
House Officers Association

By: Dr. Meg Smith
Date:

Dr. Victoria Hoch
Date:


MOU IV. ADDITIONAL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

316

Changes in the health care industry impact the University of Michigan Health System and the House Officers who are employed under this Agreement. The Employer recognizes that these changes may impact the House Officer's workload and educational experience. Therefore, it is the intent of the Employer to:

  1. Continue on-going communication regarding House Officer workload changes through the Labor-Management Committee (LMC).
  2. Ensure that each Program has a scheduling advisory group, Chaired by Program leadership with House officer representation, that meets at least twice a year to:
    1. discuss anticipated operational needs;
    2. review work schedules; and
    3. solicit House Officer input for approaches to meeting anticipated staffing needs that will also assist House Officers with managing their professional and personal responsibilities.

As an alternative to establishing a distinct scheduling advisory group, the Program may incorporate these requirements into an existing joint committee with House Officer representation. Each Program shall identify its scheduling advisory group or joint committee within sixty (60) days of ratification of this Agreement, and annually thereafter.

The Program Director retains final discretion regarding work schedules.

For The Regents of
The University of Michigan

By: Wade Baughman
Date:

The University of Michigan
House Officers Association

By: Dr. Kyle Johnson
Date:


MOU V. INFORMATION TO PROSPECTIVE HOUSE OFFICERS

317

This confirms our understanding that the Employer will include a link to the Association's website on the current institutional GME Office webpage entitled "Prospective Residents/Fellows", which will include the following statements:

  1. House Officers may be assigned duties in ambulatory care and outreach clinics, or other similar institutions.
  2. Once you become an employee of the University, the collective bargaining agreement between the Regents of the University of Michigan and the House Officers Association determine your salary and benefits as well as other terms and conditions of employment consistent with Michigan law.
  3. The House Officers Association is the duly recognized bargaining representative for House Officers under this agreement.

Information related to the Association on the webpage named above will be formatted in a manner consistent with the rest of the page's content.

318

The association will be allowed to provide an electronic, one (1) page, handout to the GME Office for distribution to training programs to share with House Officers who interview.

For The Regents of
The University of Michigan

By: Wade Baughman
Date:

The University of Michigan
House Officers Association

By: Dr. Kyle Johnson
Date:


MOU VI. JOINT COMMISSION SURVEYS

319

This confirms our understanding that the House Officers Association will be notified in advance of accreditation surveys conducted by the Joint Commission. Such notice will be provided in writing on a timely basis.

For The Regents of
The University of Michigan

By: Michelle Sullivan
Date:

The University of Michigan
House Officers Association

By: Dr. Meg Smith
Date:

Dr. Victoria Hoch
Date:


MOU VII. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE

320

The Association and Employer shall jointly prepare and distribute a summary of contract changes document within one (1) month of ratification of this Agreement or other such period of time as agreed to by the parties. This summary of contract changes document will be distributed to: Department Chairs, Program Directors, Department Administrators, and House Officers.

For The Regents of
The University of Michigan

By: Michelle Sullivan
Date:

The University of Michigan
House Officers Association

By: Dr. Meg Smith
Date:

Dr. Victoria Hoch
Date:


MOU VIII. LABOR/MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

321

In the interest of sound labor-management relations, the HOA and the University agree to meet at agreed-upon dates and times for the purpose of discussing the matters described in the paragraph below and to permit the parties to leverage the expertise and insight of House Officers in ways relevant to quality improvement across the University of Michigan Health System. The Labor-Management Committee shall be comprised of representatives from the University of Michigan Health System and representatives from the HOA Board, unless otherwise agreed to for purposes of specific meetings.

322

Generally, Labor-Management Committee meetings will be held on a quarterly basis, unless urgent matters require additional meetings. Special consideration will be given to House Officers schedules to promote attendance, which could include evening or early morning meetings in the hospital buildings. Either party may request an LMC meeting if a recurring or an emergency meeting is needed. At a reasonable time in advance of LMC meetings, the parties shall exchange agendas, including discussion topics described with sufficient specificity to allow the parties to prepare for such discussions, and lists of the names of persons who will attend. Subjects that may be discussed at these meetings shall include, but are not limited to, the following subjects:

  1. Implementation and administration of the collective bargaining agreement (excluding matters covered by a grievance or other legal proceeding);
  2. Changes which might affect bargaining unit members;
  3. Information of general interest to the parties;
  4. HOA representatives' opportunity to share the concerns of their members and/or to make suggestions on subjects of interest to their members
  5. Quality improvement;
  6. Institutional compliance with all regulatory and statutory requirements; and
  7. Discussion of topics referred to the LMC by other Articles of this Agreement.

323

If necessary, LMC will refer issues to appropriate standing committees for follow-up and resolution. When a standing committee is unable to address the issue in a timely manner, or does not believe it should pursue an issue, a small working group of LMC may process the issue and develop further data to be presented to the standing committee. In such a case, LMC can empower the work group via funding, support, etc. to complete the task to resolution.

324

When issues of mutual concern regarding House Officer education emerge, unless specifically addressed elsewhere, they are to be referred to the GME Committee or other appropriate forum. As these matters arise, LMC will work closely with GME to ensure that at least one of the HOA representatives on the GMEC can attend the GMEC. In addition, the HOA members of the GMEC will give a quarterly report at the GMEC meeting on issues discussed in LMC concerning House Officer education. In order to facilitate this process, at least one HOA representative from the GMEC will also participate in the LMC.

325

At the conclusion of discussion of each agenda topic, the parties will identify appropriate channels for communicating status reports and designate the party responsible for follow up. The parties will provide each other responses to items discussed at LMC meetings within thirty (30) days of the meeting, unless the parties mutually agree to a different timeframe. The parties will maintain minutes from each meeting.

326

In an effort to support follow up and resolution of issues, the Employer pledges $30,000 annually which can be distributed by mutual agreement of the HOA President and Director of Labor Relations. Unspent funds will not carry over from year to year.

For The Regents of
The University of Michigan

By: Michelle Sullivan
Date:

The University of Michigan
House Officers Association

By: Dr. Meg Smith
Date:

Dr. Victoria Hoch
Date:


MOU IX. TRANSPORTATION WHEN FATIGUED

327

The Employer is committed to providing safe transportation options for House Officers who may be too fatigued to safely return home when operating their own vehicle, although the expectation is that House Officers will utilize any available lodging for resting before returning home whenever possible. A free taxi service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To request a ride, call the Department of Public Safety at (734) 763-1131.

328

In addition, taxi/Uber/Lyft receipts shall be reimbursed under this circumstance. Reimbursements will be processed through the Concur System.

329

House Officers needing to return to the facility to retrieve their vehicles by taxi/Uber/Lyft shall also be reimbursed for the additional expense by their program. This reimbursement for a return trip to retrieve vehicles is limited to a fifteen (15) mile radius of the main medical campus. Reimbursements will be processed through the Concur System.

330

Use of this program is limited to six (6) times per academic year.

For The Regents of
The University of Michigan

By: Michelle Sullivan
Date:

The University of Michigan
House Officers Association

By: Dr. Meg Smith
Date:

Dr. Victoria Hoch
Date:


MOU X. WORK ENVIRONMENT

331

No later than thirty (30) days after the execution of collective bargaining agreement, the parties agree to initiate the following in coordination with the Administrative Liaison:

  1. Walkthrough of existing HOA-designated call rooms to determine whether repurposing of the space as multidisciplinary House Officer-specific workspace is feasible;
  2. If feasible space is identified, the Administrative Liaison will initiate the request for renovation;
  3. If no feasible space is identified, the Administrative Liaison and the Association will submit a joint request to the Space Needs Committee for the assignment of new space to be designated as multidisciplinary House Officer workspace.

332

In regards to future new inpatient tower(s) project(s), the Employer agrees to include House Officers, inclusive of one Association-appointed House Officer, on the appropriate planning committees that will be determined after the project(s) receive(s) Regental approval.

333

The Employer will endeavor to create multidisciplinary multipurpose work spaces specifically for House Officers in all clinical towers (exception: CVC, given proximity to the existing House Officer Lounge).

334

The parties agree that proximity to clinical responsibilities is an important consideration in the location of the multidisciplinary House Officer-specific work spaces.

335

Workstations and disposable supplies (paper, ink, etc.) for these multidisciplinary work spaces will be paid for or reimbursed by the University.

336

The Employer firmly commits to endeavor to secure these multidisciplinary work spaces for House Officers and advocate for them as described above.

For The Regents of
The University of Michigan

By: Michelle Sullivan
Date:

The University of Michigan
House Officers Association

By: Dr. Meg Smith
Date:

Dr. Victoria Hoch
Date:


MOU XI. MEMBERSHIP IN THE BARGAINING UNIT

337

The established HOA bargaining unit includes the individuals described below:

  1. Individuals in general surgery or any of the other surgical training programs who are engaged in research or other academic development activities are included in the unit during such time, even if this research or other academic development activity (e.g., pursuit of a degree) is not necessary for Board eligibility.
  2. Individuals who opt to extend their research time during their residency/fellowship training program are included in the unit during such extended research time.

338

The established HOA bargaining unit does not include the individuals described below:

  1. ECFMG individuals who have completed their residency/fellowship training program and who opt to remain at U of M for an additional year of training, and who are categorized as "APT" rather than faculty due to the need to comply with ECFMG regulations are not included in the bargaining unit during such period they remain at U of M following completion of their residency/fellowship program.
  2. Individuals who have completed their residency/fellowship training program, or who request and are permitted to undertake research or other academic development activity (e.g. pursuit of a degree) at a location outside U of M are not included in the bargaining unit during such time at a location outside U of M.
  3. Individuals who have completed their residency/fellowship training program, or who take a defined leave from their residency/fellowship training program while they pursue a specialized degree independent of their residency/fellowship training program, and who then moonlight as a physician at U of M, are not included in the bargaining unit during the period they pursue the specialized degree and moonlight.

For The Regents of
The University of Michigan

By: Michelle Sullivan
Date:

The University of Michigan
House Officers Association

By: Dr. Meg Smith
Date:

Dr. Victoria Hoch
Date:


MOU XII. DISCIPLINE FOR VIOLATIONS OF UMHS PRIVACY POLICY

339

House Officers are subject to the Michigan Medicine Discipline for Violations of Privacy or Security of Protected Health Information (PHI) or Other Sensitive Information for All Michigan Medicine Workforce Policy, 01-04-390 (the "Policy"). The following sanctions will be applied to House Officers for violations of this Policy, but the University reserves the right to accelerate discipline where aggravating circumstances exist, as further defined below.

  1. Level 1 - Verbal Coaching or Verbal Warning with Documentation and re-education through Cornerstone Learning HIPAA training module (PRIV-C10001).
  2. Level 2 - Verbal Warning with Documentation or Written Warning and re-education through Cornerstone Learning HIPAA training module (PRIV-C10001).
  3. Level 3 - 2 to 5 days suspension without pay and re-education through Cornerstone Learning HIPAA training module (PRIV-C10001). The number of days shall be determined by Human Resources and the GME Program Director after the Privacy Violation Review Committee has reviewed the case and determined the Level of Violation.
  4. Level 4 - Termination of Employment

340

Aggravating and mitigating factors may be considered to determine the appropriate disciplinary action, except that mitigating factors shall not apply to Level 4 violations. Aggravating and mitigating factors may include, but are not limited to: Whether the House Officer took prompt and appropriate steps to mitigate harmful effects of a violation; whether the House Officer promptly and voluntarily reported the violation; and whether the House Officer was truthful or cooperated in the investigation.

341

This Agreement shall be effective May 1, 2023, and remain in effect through June 30, 2026. In the event the parties enter into a collective bargaining agreement beginning July 1, 2023, that extends beyond June 30, 2026, this Agreement shall remain in effect until the expiration of that collective bargaining agreement. During the term of this Agreement, in the event that the University notifies HOA of its intent to revise the disciplinary steps in the Policy for Non-Tenured Medical Staff, either party may reopen this MOU upon written request to the other party within thirty (30) calendar days of such notice by the University to the HOA.

For The Regents of
The University of Michigan

By: Wade Baughman
Labor Realtions Lead
Date:

The University of Michigan
House Officers Association

By: Robin L. Tarter
Executive Director
Date:


APPENDIX A.

House Officer Improper Work Duty Assignment Claim

Answer all questions.

  1. Today's Date
  2. House Officer Name (optional)
  3. Program Name
  4. House Officer Email
  5. House Officer Phone
  6. Name of Program Director notified of situation
  7. Date that Program Director was notified of the situation
  8. Date/Time of Occurrence
  9. Unit/Area where Occurrence took place
  10. Description of duties/tasks performed
  11. Suggested category of personnel that should be performing duties/task


APPENDIX B.

Letter of Agreement Regarding Optional Life Insurance

During the course of the negotiations between the parties for the 2023-2027 collective bargaining agreement, the University and Association discussed the fact that sums paid to a House Officer out of federal grants from which no income taxes are withheld, pursuant to paragraph 19, are excluded from their income for the purposes of the Optional Life Insurance Plan provided in Article IV. Section B.

The University agrees that at the next opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the Optional Life Insurance Plan coverage with the carrier, it will explore whether such grant income can be included in the earnings used to calculate the value of the benefit. Although the University cannot guarantee the outcome of this process, best efforts will be made in this regard and the outcome communicated to the Association.

For The Regents of
The University of Michigan

By: Wade Baughman
Date:

The University of Michigan
House Officers Association

By: Robin L Tarter
Date:


APPENDIX C.

Letter of Agreement Regarding House Officers Mental Health Program

May 8, 2023

Throughout the course of these negotiations, the union has presented the need of the University to evaluate the current benefit for House Officers that aids those seeking services for their mental well-being. The parties have discussed and agree that this is a valuable benefit for the essential wellness of our House Officers. With this stated, the parties have also discussed the occasional need for those House Officers who are completing their residency in Psychiatric Services, and the necessity of privacy while seeking these services.

Understanding the importance of integrity for those seeking this service, the Labor Relations Director will work with the union to discover a method that House Officers, completing their residency in Psychiatry, when needed, can obtain these services in a manner that will provide the privacy and comfort level that all patients seek from their healthcare provider. Utilizing the existing medical benefit, mental health services can be obtained in network with non-employed Michigan Medicine mental health care providers. If this provision should no longer be applicable, the parties will meet to confer on the best way possible to provide the benefit and meet the needs of privacy for Psych Residents.

Sincerely,

Hakim W. Berry, Director
Labor Relations
Michigan Medicine