Unions not the answer
Posted By: LK on 2007-01-04
In Reply to: Fighting low wages: Has anyone ever considered trying to (sm) - Soon to be food-stamp-bound
I strongly disagree that unions will solve the problems afflicting the MT field. As long as there is outsourcing and other alternatives to traditional transcription, such as voice recognition, there will continue to be downward pressure on MT wages. Years ago when I worked in Human Resources for health care facilities, I sat on the other side of the negotiating table negotiating union contracts (our nurses were unionized), and I am appalled to this day at the underhanded tactics used by the unions. And talk about overinflated salaries - it is truly shocking what union officials make, and it all comes out of the pockets of union members who get a rather dubious return on their union dues. I just don't believe unionization will solve our problems. I think the only thing that will stop the downward pressure on MT pay is if an end is put to outsourcing (and I don't think its unrealistic to think that could happen at some point).
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Unions exist to make money for unions.
That's the truth. They don't care if companies close because they can't afford to pay union wages, and then the workers have nothing.
Unions are on the side of the Unions!
You have a very glorified view of unions. For many years, unions have been associated with graft, corruption, and greed, and for good reason. The unions are in business for the unions, period. Unions will twist the truth to whatever extent necessary to pit workers against management. That is how they stay in business. Have you ever seen info about the salaries that union bosses make? They are atrocious. Unions are a BUSINESS. They are in business for themselves. They are NOT charitable organizations out to help workers, although that is what they say. They will only help the worker to the extent that it lines their pockets.
Unions
Yeah. Unions have worked really well for the auto workers.
I don't see where unions have done anything for anybody.
My brother was in the aircraft mechanics union. He paid BIG dues. He worked 3 years without a contract with a major airline. When they were negotiating, the airline told them that they would give them their raises on paper but that they were going belly up and would use the mechanics as their scapegoat because they demanded more money. That is exactly what happened. The airline went belly up and the mechanics were the scapegoats. They never saw one penny of any raise.
Unions are just another big business. They take the workers' money, and the workers are just puppets doing what they're told, striking when they're told, unable to feed their family because of unions.
Unions
 WE CAN'T WIN!! So I guess I'm just going to shut up and type some more!
I've been in unions and know what
they can do for you. Without unions there would be no vacation pay, sick days, 40 hour week (for some).
I would very definitely love to be part of a union and also would be willing to strike if necessasry to make this happen.
Like all unions, strength is in the numbers so let's hope people support the idea.
Unions would help us get some recognition
Currently it's lacking 100%. Look at AAMT/AHDI -- they don't represent us, they're killing us. They need to be investigated and put on a short leash ASAP.
obama and unions
link The big money companies would not allow and would fight it big time. I know one southern California hospital sure did fight unionization
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/us/politics/09labor.html
TT management does not answer questions that you ask them; only answer those they want to answer.
I know, work for a long time and tried asking questions, but they just beat around the bush and don't answer the true question that you presented to them.
Maybe it is kite flying weather where you are !!!
It is too late for unions. It never would have worked.
bebe
If IC's can't join EXISTING unions, then maybe
it's time for MTs to form a union that DOES include IC's, especially since they are a large part of this industry. They deserve better wages, too.
Completely agree. Before unions,
people were forced to work 7 days a week, 12 hour days, no benefits, no overtime, no minimum wage, no safety standards, etc etc etc.... THANK YOU UNIONS.
You know, there are unions in place already. Here is their payscales....
Full-time and part-time employee hospital positions payscales are as follows:
MT Level 1 to Level 3=
$23.68 to $28.70 per hour plus benefits which include 401b, health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, Wellness Programs, 24 PTO days, plus paid holidays and a few other perks.
Did you not do your homework?
The payscales you have in this post are way too low.
Unions haven't helped much in years
Sadly, they've become more of a corporation themselves. You pay dues and if a conpany wants to bail or relocate or outsource, they still can and do.
Truth about unions - good for employees
My huband is a union member. Union membership is voluntary, with it you pay dues, in exchange your union officials bargain with the company for fair wages, benefits, and pensions. A union signs a contract and during that time, the employees have job security. If there is low work because the offshore companies messed up or shipments didn't come in, it is their union that pays them subpay to compensate the difference between average earnings and unemployment if he has a week off. Also, we pay nada for health insurance premiums, only $10 for office visit, and $5/$15 for Rx, 0 for dental 50% for orthodontics, and $20 for glasses. Without the union supporting these workers they would have no ground to stand on with regard to pay and benefits and working conditions. Thanks to the union, if my husband works Saturdays its time and a half, Sunday are double-time and heaven forbid a holiday he gets paid triple time. When he retires, we keep the benefits and a nice pension. Unions are not all about the mob - I have family in chicago and it is not as you describe it. Chicago is a high crime area and it's not the unions that are causing the problem, it is the quality of people who work in SOME of the factories which are lower paying and the socioeconomic drive that results in shady business and your so called mobter and gangster life.
Well, MY experience with unions is the exact opposite...
My dad was in a textile worker's union for 35 years. He had to go through a strike when he had 3 small kids. For six weeks, he received $20 a week and only two bags of groceries for the whole duration. He lost his job at 35 years from the plant closing. That is not to mention that his union wages had us always barely making it, and the union never once did a thing about the conditions they had to work in. He has struggled with a form of bladder cancer for 19 years from working in those conditions and the chemicals used there.
Ask the auto manufacturers what the union has done for them. Yes, the workers are making it fine laid off, but the companies are near death. Those companies feed our nation. We're 1000 miles from Detroit and our livelihood depends on those car companies staying up and running. My husband's company does not make a thing related to cars, but the company that OWNS his company does.
Bottom line is that if this industry has come to the point that we are discussing needing a union, then maybe we need to either get government intervention to standardize the industry, set regulations about ONLY US work for US medical records, and use only certified workers, OR we need to go back to college for our next career choice.
Posts about unions - For All Posters and Readers
Posters placing threads and replies about unions are expected to follow the same guidelines and policies that all other posters follow. Making derrogatory statements about MTStars while utilizing its resources is not going to be tolerated. Encouraging posters in practices that are not advisable for MTStars posters is not going to be tolerated, either.
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Unions in Canada, MTs make $23 hour plus Yep
I communicate with an MT in Canada and that is what she relayed.
I can answer that question with a simple answer!
Strengths - none.
Weakness - all.
I though unions not legal in some states (right-to-work states) nm
nm
So what? I don't have to answer anything.
And by the way, MQ does not know that I work for Spheris. :) They are very much aware.
It is amazing to me how many of you people just want to screw someone. You're not happy for whatever situation.
It's NO ONE'S BUSINESS whether I work for 1 company or 3 or 6. I could care less what you think. I'm no more in danger of losing either job than anyone else. Furthermore, it's no skin off my nose if I DO lose them. I will be employed shortly thereafter. I have plenty of money. I'm not worried.
No need for anyone here to be upset or angry about my situation. It is shocking how absolutely miserable most on this board are. It's becoming quite amusing! No matter what ANYONE says -- everyone raises that shrewd eyebrow and turns their mouth down and mutters and mumbles, "just you wait". You sputter warnings out like you've been imprisoned and are angry someone is not held captive like you are. TOO BAD.
I have a great situation - it has been that way for years. If it goes on until I leave this business, great. If it doesn't, I'll just find more work. It really isn't that big of a deal to me...why in the world would it be so bothersome for anyone else?!
It really sounds to me like some people don't have enough to do in their lives! Well, I do and I'm thrilled with how things are going! It's a lot of hard work, yes, but it's very rewarding.
Everyone can go one with their lives. Hahahaha What I do in mine has NOTHING to do with YOU!
here is your answer
her replacement has been working for WEEKS training to do her job and nobody has said a word. Check your QA.
answer
CPT will be a 5-digit number. 99201
ICD-9 will be 3 numbers dot and one or 2 numbers after the dot. They add new numbers every year after the dot to make a total of 5 instead of 4 so it will be more specific.
401.9
Here's a good reference for you.
http://icd9cm.chrisendres.com/index.php?action=contents
Anyone know this answer?
If you were transcribing a 70-character line with spaces at 9 cents/line, how many 1-page to 1 1/2-page reports would have to be transcribed to equal $100/day (about how many)?
Thanks.
Your answer is......
DQS - AKA DocQScribe - is a program that transcriptionists use to transcribe their reports.
Answer (SM)
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they have an answer for everything
even when it hurts our pocket. I use to think that they treated us fairly but now I think we are just another number to them, and they could care less. Like you said, too many policy changes, seems like something every week. Also, I hate it now when you call the office you talk to custom service That should tell you something right there. We are not employees now, but customers, only we are never right, as in the customer is always right. Just venting, but it is really upsetting when my paycheck was half what it was 4 weeks ago. They also do not pay downtime if your QA IA under 97%, did you know that? 
Answer for ya
Both nationals I have worked for had me put the files on my desktop for them and do virus scans and such and then they tapped into my PC to finish the installation. I hope that helps.
That I can answer...sm
According to the person I spoke with, one of my past colleagues (a supervisor, actually) gave her my name. What's odd, though, is that I haven't spoken to or had any contact whatsoever with this person for about 10 years! Seemed very odd.
Can anybody answer that for us?
I'd appreciate it - I've been doing this a long time but there are so many companies out there it gets confusing.
To answer you ...
If you already have a computer you will perhaps need to purchase some equipment, depending on the account(s) you work on. I only work on accounts that use DVI VoiceWave. If I were to work on an account that used a different system, I would have to purchase the new system. But to make my life simple, I stick to just the one I originally purchased. X-press did not gouge me for anything. I lost my long-time job due to voice recognition and I knew that I had to make some important financial decisions regarding setting myself up as a contractor.
One thing I will say regarding X-press not hiring too many people: You can be a good Transcriptionist and not make the cut. There's a difference between being a good transcriptionist (one who knows her English, grammar, punctuation and terminology), and then there's the great transcriptionist who is proficient in all the above PLUS knows all the nuances of transcription - knowing radiology inside and out and knowing when the doctor is in error, knowing a cut off word rather than leaving a blank because of experience. I work with a small handful of women. We all have extensive radiology experience.
You can't just fall into a job with X-press. But I think it's worth it to work hard to get in.
Because there are no benefits working with X-press, it might not be the best place for a single person or single mom. Because my husband has benefits with his job, X-press is a good fit.
I work two accounts. One account pays 9 cents a line and the other pays 16 cents a line. If I worked weekends on the 9 cent account, the pay would be a little higher. And if we end up working a holiday, you do get holiday pay.
Vacations are worked out amongst co-workers. I've never had to cancel vacation plans.
X-press is nice because you get your own accounts. Like I said in my original post, I have worked with X-press a little over two years. I have worked the same accounts the entire time, so I have had the same doctors the entire time - I really appreciate that.
answer
i dont work on touchtype platform but the other platform they have. do you work there currently? i am on one of the oldest accounts that they have I believe. i really like it. i believe the owner is in charge of the account that i am on.
I can answer this one.
You haven't transcribed the entire report. Verification on the rest of the report, outside of the blank, only requires a comparison between voice and text. It is much faster to simply listen while reading/scanning the transcribed text.
As well, any dictation that is questionable already gives you the suggestion or expectation of what it should/might be. You are just not working as hard to produce the draft product. The MT already has done that task. You are finishing the product.
Your expertise in medical terminology, English grammar, spelling, anatomy, medications, laboratory values, etc., is what you are being compensated for.
Another point is that very few MTs can actually type at the speed of the dictator without ever pausing. If you can do that, perhaps you should be go back to transcription if money is your greatest motivator.
Here is your answer
They consider full time to be 40 hours per week and you have to do 11,000 lines per pay period.
* Best Answer Ever * ~ Thank You!
:)
Answer
KS doesn't use just 1 specific platform. Each account has its own platform.
The answer is --
.
Answer-Med
Avoid this company like the plague!! Vindictive supervisor that keeps pets and tells lies/changes rules to suit herself. Management charges for tech support even.
My answer even though not the OP. sm
I left after 6 months because I could not keep a strict schedule, and that was what they require. I have 4 kids and working 8 hours is not feasible and they would not bend on that. Sometimes you need to have a few hours off during the day when you have small kids, and they were not very lenient on that. I couldn't give them what they wanted (a fixed schedule) and they couldn't give me what I needed (flexibility to work when I can) so we parted ways. That was the only reason. I am now with a company that doesn't keep tabs on me; they understand that some days just get away from me and I am not able to do more than an hour or so. I took a pay cut for that flexibility, but I really don't need to work as my husband is a good provider.
answer
KeyS
answer --- L.B.
nm
I will answer what I can - sm
1. Amount depends on difficulty of acct - if you are willing to do higher ESL, the rate goes up; I believe rates run from 8-9.5 cpl for hospital work, plus Bonus (based on production) and weekend / evening shift differential.
2. Rarely run out but I have 3 accounts to choose from. Today is slow due to the holiday.
3. 1000% reliable on pay; every other week Direct Deposit, always on time, always accurate.
4. Not sure how long to kick in b/c I am a long-term employee and I know time has changed since I was hired; 30 days? 60? Ask the recruiter.
5. No work is outsourced offshore. They are focusing on ASR instead of offshore.
6. I don't know the answer to this; none of my accts are on VR yet. I think maybe 20%? 30 so far?
7.You can choose not to do VR if you don't want to.
8. Don't know this either. Maybe a Webmdx MT who does VR can help.
Oh, I'm 5 years with Webmedx (Rodeer before), 11 years of being an MT.
Answer - Please SM
No one has access to MTStars information except the Administrator, moderators and webmaster.
The only way a company could ever have any information would be to go through the court system and deliver a subpeona for that information.
If you have concerns, please contact the Administrator or myself.
Goldbird
Answer
Keystrokes is currently in the process of moving their office. They were renting a building, and they have just purchased one, so they are in between 2 offices right now, and they have asked us to keep phone calls and e-mails to the office to a minimum until they are all moved into the new office. That is probably why they have not responded yet. Hope this helps.
I can answer a few
I just accepted an offer with them myself. I didn't ask about ASR, but the account I am on doesn't have it, so Im not sure if they have those types of accounts or not.
They do pay shift differential, I believe it was 0.005 cpl (1/2 cent).
They do allow split shifts, but I am not sure about 4/10s as I did not ask about 4/10s.
Thank you for answer.
xx
I can answer a few
No time clock. You keep a log and have to send it in keeping track of time worked and lines.
PTO usage, I believe is after 90 days, but starts accruing from day 1.
Platform is easy.
Not sure about needing a sat/sun off, but Im sure if you give advance notice it is not a problem. Everyone, so far, has been very nice. I really like it here.
Best answer ever!!!!!!!!
You go girl!
answer
I think they only have acute care but a lot of the oncology work from the hospital is separated out and then only a specific pool of MTs does those.
I did answer you
I gave a 2-week notice so I would not burn bridges. You said you had been offered another job. If you don't mind burning bridges, just quit, but they will probably give you a bad reference down the road. They do ask for a 2-week notice from everybody, but whether they would be insistent on asking you to stay would be influenced by the account staffing and the MT herself.
Answer
Pretty much the same as anywhere else. But a slow platform that's for sure. Hard to get a really high line count because of this. Good luck
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