The new UPAMM website has launched! (upamm.org)

We hope that you find it easy to navigate and a good resource. Added  features include an Events Schedule and News Page , Know Your Rights, FAQS and a comprehensive Steward’s List ( updates in progress) . If you have suggestions for additional content or feedback on the new website please share it with us.  We want this website to reflect our membership and would love photos showcasing  the important work you and your team do everyday! Email president@upamm.org with suggestions and/or photos.

Professional Development Model (PDM) Committee Update

The UPAMM arm of the PDM Committee chaired by Jacklyn Thibert PA-C, has convened and has meetings planned with members from PA leadership to get this initiative in motion.

Thanks to Jacklyn Thibert and all the PAs that have volunteered to get our members the recognition they deserve.

Per Caps increase AFT Michigan/AFT National

Per AFT Michigan and AFT National, we are required to notify members of an increase in monthly per caps (dues), UPAMM pays to the state and national organizations each month. Starting in September, the increase will be $6.00per member  /month to AFT Michigan and $3.00 per member  /month to AFT National. There will NOT be an increase to members’ dues. For details contact treasurer@upamm.org

Floating Holiday Arbitration

In January , the employer provided all Michigan Medicine employees with an additional “floating holiday” that can be taken at any time during the calendar year. Unlike PTO, it  does not roll over. UPAMM’s position is this is identical to all other holidays recognized  by the employer  and Article 27 of the current contract  requires the employer to provide compensation equal to the member’s shift length. UPAMM Executive Director, Bob King and attorney Bob Fetter presented our case to the arbitrator on Friday 9/15/25. We believe our case is strong and expect a decision in our favor prior to the end of the year. In the event a decision is not made by 12/31/25, we advise all members to take the floating holiday in order not to forgo this benefit. If you have questions please reach out to bobtking@upamm.org or president@upamm.org.

Retiree Retropay Arbitration

Scheduled for 9/22/25

Retroactive Pay

We believe all outstanding issues  known to UPAMM officers regarding retroactive pay have been resolved. The final issue will be resolved in this pay cycle. Thank you to Bob King who has worked tirelessly on behalf of our members.

Your Rights- A Refresher

-If a concern arises in your area and at any time that a member believes it may lead to discipline, you have a right to union representation. The employer may or may not inform you of such. UPAMM is best positioned to advocate for you if we are notified sooner as opposed to later. If you have questions, contact chiefsteward@upamm.org or bobtking@upamm.org.

-Changes to wages hours and working conditions are mandatory subject of bargaining, meaning any changes cannot be made unilaterally by your department and need to be addressed with PA leadership and UPAMM. If changes are being considered in your in your area, please notify UPAMM as soon as possible.  

-PTO is taken in half day increments. If you need to be away from work for less than half a shift ( for example leave an hour early or come in 2 hours later ), you do not need to claim PTO. Of course these changes need to be communicated to your PA local leadership. (Refer to Reporting Attendance and Absence Article 28 Section 1 L)

Pager cell phone trial  


PA Leadership and the Michigan Medicine Pager Transition Committee is looking for providers ( 5-10 PAs) to test-drive the transition from messages sent through the paging website to pagers/page copy to Haiku notifications. This is different from secure chat.  In this pilot, messages the PAs and other provider participants would usually receive by pager/page copy would also be expected to come to your phone via Haiku. The committee wants to get feedback from the end user experience with an ultimate goal of full transition of all personal “black” pagers to phones by May/June 2026.

Email president @upamm.org

DAX

Michigan Medicine now has an institutional license and all PAs are eligible to use DAX. An email was sent by PA leadership last week with the details.

UPAMM Happy Hour

Members voiced support of future events

 MARK YOUR CALENDARS !! 

The UPAMM PA WEEK EVENT will be a family friendly event on Sunday 10/5/25 4-8 at Union Rec. There will be food, drink, swag and raffle prizes.  

STEWARDS NEEDED  

  • General Surgery ( Chelsea Hospital and a second for UH)
  • Inpatient Hematology
  • Endocrinology
  • Neurology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Ophthalmology 
  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Rheumatology
  • University Health Services 
  • PMR
  • Email chiefsteward@upamm.org

AFT Training 

AFT Michigan Leadership Summit 9/27/25 Dearborn Michigan

  • Workplace Leadership Skills
    • Our Workplace Leader Skills Building track is for department stewards, building reps, and local activists ready to dive into using lists and maps to organize colleagues, understanding effective tools for communication at the workplace, and becoming skilled at the 1:1 organizing conversation.
    • We’re excited to offer this 1-day version of our popular Union Building Institute (UBI). This is a great opportunity to develop leaders at your locals who are excited about building a stronger union starting at their workplaces! We recommend sending a group of workplace leaders to go through this track together.
  • AFT Michigan  Union Building Institute (UBI) October 6,7,8, and 9 
    • Online from 5 PM to 6 PM. 
    • New stewards and activists and will cover some of the same topics that are addressed in person in September. 
  • Email presiden@upamm.org if interested 

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