Massachusetts Nurse | August
2004
Cooley Dickinson RNs ratify
2-year contract
Nurses in the MNA bargaining unit
at Cooley Dickinson Hospital have ratified a new two-year agreement
that includes pay increases, new steps for veteran nurses and
language protections. The contract, ratified on June 28, is retroactive
to Jan. 21, 2004. Key components of the newly ratified contract
include:
- An across-the-board, 5 1/2 percent salary
increase in both years on the contract.
- In the first year of the contract, the addition
of new 18-year step that comes in at 2 percent above the 16-
year step, as well as the addition of a new 25-year step that
comes in at 2 percent above the 20-year step.
- In the second year of the contract, the
addition of a new 14-year step that comes in at 2 percent
above the 12-year step, as well as a build out of the 25-year
step to 4 percent above the 20 year step.
- Language that limits the hospital’s
ability to float nurses: "When a nurse is floated to
another unit, she/he will not be given patient care assignments
that are beyond her/his scope of practice." In addition,
the contract language says that the Labor/Management Committee
will develop float guidelines together.
- Language that grants per diem nurses a 5
percent differential on their base pay rate.
- Language that clarifies that charge nurses
will not be considered "supervisors within the meaning
of the National Labor Relations Act based on their current
duties and job responsibilities."
- Language improving vacation time, including
the availability of four weeks of vacation after five years
of service starting the second year of the contract.
- Increases in evening, night and degree differentials.
- The establishment of an annual certification
bonus.
- Language that allows the use of sick time
