A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Mercedes Town Hall--What did you think? - OTI Gal

Posted: Sep 09, 2014

I listened to the Mercedes town hall. What did you think? They did say VBC was coming. Does this sound like Bayscribe to you? They said VBC was coming, but rate of pay would not change. I wonder how that will work. They promised nothing would change as of October 1. I wonder what it will be like on January 1.

Well, VBC sucks, but rather work for the sisters at my rate now with VBC - than 6.5 cpl. If it is much lower, I wil be gone

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Could you tell if there were many others calling in? - nm

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Mercedes Town Hall - OTI Gal

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In my call there were seven MT participants and Julia Williamson, the MT liason, Katherine Dozier, Donna ?, and Dan from the Mercedes team.

I don't understand... - Annoyed

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I didn't call in, but from what I'm reading I am confused. If it's VBC, it's going to be SIGNIFICANTLY less than what we're making now. And if we'd already have to agree to the 1 cpl decrease upon signing, it's going to be a decrease regardless. How can they say NOTHING will change come October 1? At this point, I don't want to sign. Did anyone who felt that way have a change of heart after the town hall?

I don't understand either - sm

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if, as noted below, people are receiving contracts with 0.65 VBC, is that not a change? I don't know...

Pretty clear to me. - My 2 cents

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To me, most of this is crystal clear. I did not listen in on the Mercedes town blah blah meeting as I had already written to Mercedes that I would not be taking a pay cut of 6.5 cpl to work for them and requested they take me off of their email distribution lists.

The contract that Mercedes offered made it clear that the pay is 6.5 cpl for VBC. VBC is NOT a good thing for MTs, no matter how they try to sugar coat it. It is only "coming" if MT companies/corporations allow it! The only way our pay could stay the same using VBC would be to give us an INCREASED cents per line. This is plain math. VBC benefits the corporations only - not the MTs, period. Back when VBC was first talked about, many of us MTs said, fine, we will typelikethisandneverhitthereturnbarbecausethatwouldbetheonlyfairwaytousevbc. AHDI touted it as being a "standard" for the industry which is just a bunch of hooey. There has been a very workable standard, the xx-character line (usually 65). Long ago, advances in "word processing" and software learned how to not pay us for things we enter/type in demographics/headers. /footers. AHDI has turned on the MTs, from my POV back when they hopped into bed with MQ during the lawsuit. I dropped maintaining my many years CMT and local chapter membership at that point.

What is clear to me: Mercedes is offering OTI MTs a pay cut; they are offering for us to follow our account/s; they are offering the possibility of more VR accounts; and the possibility that if we don't willingly get night shifts/weekend hours covered, they will outsource the work outside of the U.S. It is clear as crystal to me.

From what I understand, Mercedes will be using Bayscribe still. Evidently Bayscribe now has a VBC option built in the software? Or they will transition to a new platform. This part is NOT clear to me. Anyone else?

As for the two sisters, their email was pretty clear. We can work for them (the sisters) through RecordsOne. They said that Bayscribe changed their name to RecordsOne and that those of us who stay with the sisters will be working for the transcription section of RecordsOne/Bayscribe. They also stated clearly that they will remain US based, that we can work for both RecordsOne and Mercedes at the same time, and stated that our line rates will be the same.

My concerns and questions: Why would any of us want to jump ship to Mercedes for 6.5 cpl with the talk of not remaining US based if the MTs don't start covering better the night/weekend shifts let alone go to VBC?! Are they hoping we will do this because our primary/other accounts have gone to them? Really? And, if we do NOT choose to follow our account/s to Mercedes because of the pay cut/VBC, how can the two sisters POSSIBLY absorb extra MTs onto half of the accounts that are already short on work and have been for months?

And, how is it that the two sisters can envision continuing to pay us 8 cpl (7.5 and 7.0 cpl for some accounts) if things are SO bad that two partners wanted to jump ship this way (from what seems like to me an amazing slap in the face to all of us - pay cut and VBC and less work because they might send work offshore if we don't get with it and work through the night)?

How can the sisters sustain what they say - same pay rate, more accounts coming online - with all of the things Mr D implied in the first Mercedes conference call. Do they have more hope that things will finally turn around for the industry? Thoughts??

Well Said - OTI Gal

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I agree with everything you posted. I thought lurking in my mind is Mercedes has found a way to increase their profit margin and that is the whole sum and substance of the matter. Pay us less, charge the clients the same competitive rate, more money in the pockets of Mercedes.

Deep pockets - Trying to be hopeful

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OTI gal, I had the same thought. VBC only benefits the company under the guise of some kind of BS for "standard" counting method.

Everything these people are telling you is a - pack of lies. Smoke & mirrors. nm

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....

VBC - visible black character - revisited - My 2 Cents again

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Posted below are some links from other posters here on MTstars about VBC that might be helpful as well as some other links I found on Google search. We need to educate ourselves on what VBC really is and understand that it is not beneficial to us. The only way it can benefit us is if our cpl is raised, not decreased. If I have this wrong, I hope someone will explain it.

http://www.mtstars.com/c-Line-rate-84908.html

http://www.mtstars.com/c-visible-black-character-VBC-spaces-not-counted-SM-98614.html

http://www.aaita.com/index.php/mproducts/mtranscription/munitofmeasure

http://forum.mtstars.com/561874.html and http://www.fortherecordmag.com/archives/ftr_05122008p6.shtml

That's what I thought... - Annoyed

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I actually sent an e-mail to be included in a town hall discussion only because I wanted them to clarify how exactly "nothing" would change when it says right in black and white in the contract that it will, immediately, even if you don't take VBC into account (which we most definitely need to do!). Now I am thinking I may just do like you've done and tell them to quit sending me e-mails. It's just muddying the waters. I am hoping to hear back from the sisters, as sadly none of my accounts remained on their side and I do NOT want to pursue this "option." I find it hard to believe that all of these accounts that went with Mercedes have been renegotiated at a lower rate, which then has to be passed on to the MTs. I am inclined to think that instead Mercedes is trying to stick it to us because they can, and pocket the difference. Maybe I'm wrong, but I doubt it.

More likely, imho, they "won" the accounts they have by offering a lower price .. - shadow

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and promised them the same or better service. Well, nuts to those kind of promises made on our backs.

My guess is that at least some of these new Mercedes accounts expect the same or better service/TAT/quality. Good luck with that.

Most people who have worked at OTI for any length of time have learned to fend for themselves. But, having worked with team leaders, they were usually quickly overwhelmed (often snappish) from customer complaints (some reasonable, some not -- we all know transcription/medical records is a traditional whipping boy -- neither time or temperament to handhold or babysit.

Wondering who's going to be doing their QA and how that's going to change. Oh well, not my problem. Good question to ask for anyone planning on working for them.

Oh, yeah, those liaison folks will definitely be USA and receiving USA wages.

I suppose you could be right - Annoyed

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I hadn't thought about the division of the accounts being decided this way. But I agree - I am sure the clients ARE expecting the same quality and turnaround time (I mean, just read the mission statement on the Mercedes web site!), but they may find that's not going to happen. I don't know too may people who would be willing to take that kind of a pay cut if they have a choice. They may find they don't have enough trusted, quality MTs from OTI to keep themselves afloat, and then they have to try to bring on new folks and train them up, plus finding ANYONE who'll accept that kind of pay is unlikely. Unless they're overseas. And there we are.

I'm more convinced than ever that by the end - of the year, there wont be - sm

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much left in the way of MT jobs ANYWHERE. And beyond that, I think the Indian jobs are going to start drying up next - as point-n-click begins to overtake and surpass VR as the transcription method of choice.

Did I hear correctly? Did they say 20 out of 100 people went with Mercedes? - What happened to the 200?

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I believe it was a hypothetical - if 20/100 hired end up leaving Mercedes at least they have 80 - ppl to cover & alleviates need for shift work

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response to 20/100 - anonymous

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Yes, that is what I heard. I think it was another push for the liason. If I remember correctly, they said if they hire 100, 20 leave, that leaves 80 MTs. Then, the liason will have a chat with the MTs who are left and ask if they want to pick up the volume of work instead of hiring new MTs. They want us to think the liason is a great concept.

Exactly. - nm

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VBC is only coming - if WE accept it.

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which I will not do. I'll flip burgers first.

I feel STOOPID enough for accepting - what this industry has done

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to our pay over the last 10-15 years. VBC is where I finally draw my line & make my stand. Maybe I can get a teeny bit of self-respect back by doing that, who knows.

VBC means the pay rate WILL change. (SM) - Lotus

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For a standard 65-character line, you will no longer be paid for 65 characters. Every time you hit the space bar, it will be for free. It all adds up to far less pay for you.

Yep - 8 cpl (65-character) for 100 lines = $8. That same 100 lines at 8 cpl (VBC) = $5.17 - Imagine the cut in pay at 0.065 cpl VBC!

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Ridiculous - my very first transcription job back in the day paid more than that!

VBC - Ugh sm - Kindred

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I said I would never work VBC again. I was getting .09 VBC and it was the TIME that bothered me more than the money. I type 1000 lines but then actually have to type 1200 lines just to make up for the 20% loss of spaces, so there at least 1 hour extra every evening just making up the loss. When you've typed 1500 lines VBC, you've actually typed about 1800 lines - there's 2 more hours at 150 lines hour added to your evening. Make for a loooooong night.

I still would like to know how many people are going to sign Mercedes' contract. - nm

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(a) They believe the lies. (b) They currently - have no other viable options.

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Even if the answer is (b), I still think it's a huge mistake. I know because I made that mistake once in the past, and it's been a financial nightmare for me that I'll likely never recover from.

If I could rewind my life and get a do-over on that dumb decision, I'd pass on signing on with a takeover company in a heartbeat. They'll destroy your health, your financial security (or whatever is still left), and your sense of self-worth.

Mercedes meeting - my after-thoughts

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I just had mine and listened to all the good things they wanted to share about staying US based and all the work we wanted and how great it was going to be. When it came my turn for questions (and I think there was only 3 of us on the call) - I said everything said is great but my only question pertained to pay; that taking a rate decrease to .065 was one thing but then to learn about the whole VBC issue and how much more that lowered it was another story and could they explain that. I got a brief response that VBC is now the "norm" for the industry but that it would not effect us "yet" - that for now we would still be paid 0.65 until things changed but they would not pinpoint when that change would be. Was told if we could get .08 somewhere else, go for it but that it probably wouldn't last more than a year. I said I have been doing this for almost 20 years and that it worked out to almost minimum wage. I have already taken pay cuts and just about ready to give it up (minimum wage is trying to go to $10-15/hour - what happens to us then?). They did strongly suggest they were staying US based, but I just can't afford it anymore. I am not planning on signing. I will keep my .08/line and look for another 7-8/line to add to it, even if it is only for a year or less and try to get my other home-based pet business up and going by then. Good luck to all. I feel they will be running an ad here soon looking for newbies willing to accept this rate.

If 8 cpl only lasted for a year - that would be better than

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taking their slap in the face. Yeah, thanks, I'll go for it.

It's mid-September. So likely there are only - 3 months left before their - sm

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"exciting changes" begin seriously affecting your pay.

The company I was with last year said it'd likely be years before the changes they had in the works would begin to affect the transcriptionists. That was a lie. it began to affect us within 3 months. Work slowed to a trickle, then disappeared entirely. A week later, we were all unceremoniously kicked to the curb.

Interesting e-mail - anon

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I sent an e-mail to HR, expressing my concern about the pay decrease. I said, "The initial decrease to 6.5 cpl is tough enough; but, if I understand this correctly, with the introduction of VBC and not being paid for headers of footers, we are actually talking about a much bigger pay cut here. If I am wrong about this, please set me straight. If I'm not, then I will have to decline the contract with Mercedes." The response I got: "Thank you for letting us know you will not be continuing with Mercedes. You will receive no further mailings from us. Best of luck in your future endeavors." So, there you have it. An admission if I ever heard one. And I didn't even have to expressly bow out - calling them on it did it for me. Unbelievable.

that is their standard reply. I got the same one when I said I - did not want the conference call. sm

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And so did two friends of mine. Form letter e-mail. They probably got sick of sending out answers to our rejections and just figured a form letter would suffice.

You're kidding!!!!! - anon

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You mean they aren't even necessarily reading the e-mails from people, just assuming we're not going with them and then sending a "so sorry - have a good life" response? Curiouser and curiouser.

yup, and it was the exact same wording for all of us! - nm

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just try it if you are not going to sign. you will get the same thing. - nm

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you are all too kind! - minnie

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you are all being so nice by even letting them know you are not interested! I have no use for them and don't even want to waste my time telling them so!! I treated M'Modal the same way when my old company was bought out by them and they started with the schmoozing!!

Same exact response to me too - Not surprise

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Thank you for taking the time to send a quick note informing us that you will not join us on October 1st. I will remove you from future mailings.

We wish you continued success in your personal and professional endeavors.

Thank you.

Yup - that's it! - anon

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I was paraphrasing before, but that's exactly what it said! Good grief. Talk about adding insult to injury! As for being too kind, I guess I was honestly trying to force their hand - ask them whether what they were saying in the conference calls was true about the pay staying the same. Now to find that they're not even reading these e-mails...well, who the heck wants to work for someone like that????? I ask you!?!?

Yeah, I thought the 24-hour written notice of termination of contract was a bit of a clue iykwim - shadow

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Most of us agonize over giving 2 weeks notice out of consideration or just how we were brought up or not wanting to leave a bad impression.

Just who would that 24 hour written notice benefit most? Oops, job all gone!!!! txsbye!!!

clarify - minnie

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the only reason I say you guys were too nice is because I have been through this before, not just with MModal, but other smaller companies. I have been an MT for 33 years and I really used to love this job. I still would love it if I didn't have to deal with all the BS. Back in my heyday (about 25 yrs ago)I made 15 cpl....can you believe that!!! I am just getting so tired of it all and I am honestly tired of being nice (to the big wigs).

I understand what you meant, minnie - anon

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Oh, I know, I get it! I do try to be nice and respectful, and certainly I don't want to burn any bridges, but it is upsetting. I myself have been doing this in one capacity or another for almost 20 years, and it's one of the professions that actually loses money - how is that possible? Can a machine understand the nuances of these doctors' speech? Or change things at a moment's notice as they are wont to do? I take pride in my profession, and it has blessed me with the opportunity to be home with my kids in their formative years. I have never had to look to a day care or babysitter so I could go to work, not that that was easy. Far from it. It's assumed that since you work from home, you're always on the clock and your schedule is completely flexible to the needs of family and home and whatever comes up. But now that my kids are in middle/high school, I still want to be here for them. This job has given me that opportunity to this point. It's been a rough week. I'm so conflicted and frustrated and I feel betrayed and uncertain, but we're all professionals, and hopefully all will end well for us, no matter what! Best of luck to all you (me included) in the future!

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