UPAMM Member Update
HIPPA Compliance
Senior Corporate Compliance Director, David J. Behinfar and Compliance Auditor Lead, Deanna Rooney joined us at our General Membership Meeting on 11/13/25 to educate us regarding patient privacy and protected health information. The main takeaway being there is a surveillance software system comprehensively keeping track of all activity in Michart and assessing breaches of privacy. Be aware that searching for any names in Michart that one is not involved in the care team of that individual, can result in dismissal from the health system. Mistakenly clicking on the wrong patient and getting out quickly, is identified as an operational error and does not result in dismissal.
Floating Holiday Arbitration Resolution
If you have already used your floating holiday and your regular shift is 10,12, or 13.5 hours you should be paid for the full length of your shift. If you only received 8 hours holiday pay and you have not be compensated the additional hours to total one entire shift, please notify president@upamm.org and bobtking@upamm.org. As a reminder, the floating holiday does not roll over and must be taken by 12/31/25.
Retiree/ Resignee Grievance Resolution
PAs that retired or resigned prior to the payout for retroactive pay in March 2025 have received the retroactive pay they earned from July 2024 through their separation date from the health system.
Michigan Medicine Communications Device/Pager Transition Program
The survey to indicate if you want to opt in for an employer provided cell phone (device) or continue using your own personal cell phone ended 11/16. If you did not respond to the survey, the employer will assume you intend to use your personal device for clinical work.
UPAMM PA Week Celebration Cups
Cups were first available for all members at UPAMM’s PA Week Celebration at Union Rec on 10/5. Contacts at each site are needed for distribution. Please notify vicepresident@upamm.org if you can help with distribution.
Budget Review Internal Audit Committee
Volunteers needed for the Internal Audit Committee! Participation only requires a few hours of your time and keeps the union compliant with AFT financial requirements. It is an easy but very important opportunity to support your union! Email treasurer@upamm.
Workload/Working Condition Wins
- There are several ongoing workload reviews that are making progress.
- We successfully advocated for a member who was initially denied and after our involvement, was then approved to decrease her appointment fraction from 1.0 to 0.75.
- We successfully advocated for members who were unilaterally changed to different work ours.
- We successfully advocated for a team of members in order to prevent a RIF.
Please let us know if you can have any workload/working condition issues we can help you with! We encourage you to reach out to chiefsteward@upamm.org and bobtking@upamm.org
AFT Member Benefits
- Occupational Liability Insurance
- Retiree Michigan Chapter
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- Trauma Counseling Let us know if you want more information! chiefsteward@upamm.org
CHECK OUT upamm.org!
The new website is up and running. There is a news and events page, resources about your rights as a union member, union FAQs and an electronic version of the contract.
Please provide us feedback on ways to make it most useful and highlight the great work Michigan Medicine PAs do everyday! Email president@upamm.org with suggestions and/or photos.
STRONGER TOGETHER
An effective union requires an engaged membership! Join a committee, volunteer to organize a happy hour, become a steward or talk to your co-worker about the benefits of union membership. Actively participating with UPAMM is not a big time commitment but makes a huge impact! Contact vicepresident@upamm.org for more information.