12 hour shifts

[leahmay]

hey all,
I am a union rep for a facility that is looking into doing 12 hour shifts, I am looking for suggestions or comments on how everyone fills their time (i.e. vacation, sick, comp ect...) we currently have a very complicated "card" system and was thinking while trying to change to 12 hours we should also look at how we can make filling time less complicated and more effective. we currently have 25 dispatchers we require 5 on each 8 hour shift at a time with each person having 2 set days off a week. any thoughts or imput would be greatly appreciated as we review this topic.

[idispatch8k1]

We are on 12's and have 37 dispatchers. The number of operators on at a time vary (anywhere from 7-10). We have an overtime "book" and signups start 2-3 weeks prior to the schedule. We have a wish list in order of seniority and allow a minimum to be wished for initially(depending on how many hours their are the initial wish can be for 8 or 12 and up to 24). When everyone has had opportunity to leave their list names are filled in and the overtime then becomes open and they can sign up for more if desired.

Our director is adamant about not having Unable to fill slots.(UTF) So if an over time slot is not volunteered for we mandate 3-5 days prior based on a list of hours worked, last time mandated, etc. It is not a perfect system but we love our 12's!!

[leahmay]

Yeah we are excited to at least give it a try, the advantage being having every other weekend off. We were thinking about trying a on call kind of system where you may have 1 or 2 days a month where you are on call, but im not sure the city is going to go for that especially if they have to pay us to be on call. I definatly appreciate the advise and thanks for replying back to me.

[idispatch8k1]

we have 2 call-ins a month, week one is 3 12 hour days and then and 8 followed by 3 days off, week 2 is 3 12 hour days and the 4th is a call-in day. We do not get paid for being on call. The union agreed to this in order to get the 12 hour shifts. Our shifts are 1800-0600 and 0600-1800, we are on call until 2000 for graves and 0800 for days. we have to call in sick by 0330 for graves and 1530 for days. The call-in person has to call at 1600 or 0400. If someone calls in sick they have to cover the shift. In the event someone goes home prior to 2000 or 0800 after showing up to work the call-in person has to come in. It seems to work for us and because we have the overtime signups the call-in person is used for last minute ot.

[leahmay]

can i ask, how you do your overtime sign up?