Bargaining Unit Updates

RNs at Berkshire Medical work to keep quality care in Western Mass.
After many sessions it is clear that management and the RNs in the MNA bargaining unit at Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) are not seeing “eye to eye” regarding the value of nursing care. A survey of staff nurse salaries across the state has shown that BMC nurses are at the bottom of the scale. In spite of increased patient acuity and staffing ratios, BMC has failed to agree to bring the RNs up to their sisters across the state. BMC had a surplus of greater than 24 million dollars at the end of fiscal year 2006. It is time for them to invest in their nurses in order to keep quality care in the Berkshires. This investment means creating a comparable wage and benefits package that will guarantee the recruitment and retention of nurses and allow them a dignified retirement after their years of service.

The MNA nurses have adopted the phrase “Respect Now” as their slogan and have started wearing buttons and T-shirts that include that phrase as a way of letting everyone know of their contract struggles.

Tobey Hospital RNs ratify contract
The MNA nurses at Tobey Hospital in Wareham voted to ratify their tentative agreement for a three year contract on June 18. More than 75 percent of the bargaining unit’s members cast ballots in favor of ratifying the contract. This important vote also represented other great accomplishments for the unit, as it gave the members the opportunity to organize around an important issue and to recreate some of the union’s solidarity and strength. Highlights of the contract include:

• 4 percent across-the-board pay increases retroactive to April 1, 2007
• A new top step added to the staff nurse and resource nurse pay scale that is 3.5 percent greater than the prior maximum, retroactive to Oct. 1, 2006
• Overall pay increases for the first year of the contract range from 7 percent to 10.7 percent depending on what step you are on
• Credit was given to Tobey RNs for their time of hire “sub-acute care” experience, resulting in 10 RNs receiving step adjustments
• Certification/Recertification Examination fee reimbursement is increased
• RNs called in to work from on-call status will be paid all differentials with no fourhour minimum requirement
• The contract language for the labor management committee has been revised to include a process for addressing inadequate staffing
• Resource RNs remain in the bargaining unit under the protection of the contract

The contract expires on Sept. 30, 2009.