Bargaining unit updates

Visiting Nurses Association of Boston
The RNs represented by the MNA at the Visiting Nurses Association of Boston (VNAB) recently celebrated a major victory after they ratified a new three-year contract that provides a 12 percent wage increase, making them the highest paid home care nurses in New England. The contract also includes increases in shift, on call and preceptor differentials, increased tuition reimbursement, as well as new contract language to provide nurses with a process for addressing concerns regarding the size of their caseloads.

The three-year agreement runs from Dec 1, 2007 to Nov. 30, 2010. The pact includes the following key provisions:

• Provides a 12 percent salary increase across the board (4 percent for 2008; 4 percent in 2009 and 4 percent in 2010). It also provides an additional $1,250 longevity bonus each year for nurses at the top of the 17-step wage scale. The starting hourly wage at the end of the contract will be $30.03, up from $26.67 with a top wage step of $55.09, up from $48.92. Nurses who work a special weekend program for the VNAB will see wages ranging from $40 to $82.64 per hour.
• The issue of the number of patients, or cases, a nurse is assigned to handle each day or week has become a growing concern for the nurses of the VNAB since the acuity (illness level) of patients being treated at home has increased dramatically in recent years. At the same time, the amount of paperwork and documentation required for each patient has also increased. The nurses won contract language that allows them to bring concerns regarding the size of their caseload to a special union/management “nursing practice” committee.

Newton-Wellesley Hospital
The registered nurses represented by the MNA at Newton Wellesley Hospital (NWH) on Jan. 31 overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new three-year contract that provides wage increases of 6-15 percent, which will make them the state’s highest paid nurses working in a community hospital setting outside of Boston. The contract also includes an improved differential for nurses working the night shift, and new language designed to protect nurses’ union rights. The three-year agreement runs from Nov. 30, 2007 to Nov. 30, 2010. The pact includes the following key provisions:

• Provides an across-the-board 6 percent salary increase for all staff nurses (2 percent for 2007; 2 percent in 2008 and 2 percent in 2009). It also provides a new top step to the nurses’ salary scale in years 2008 and 2009.The starting hourly wage at the end of the contract will be $27.38 up from $25.80 with a top step of $60.18 up from $52.18.
• The contract also includes a $4.00 per hour night shift differential effective November 30, 2008, which will make Newton-Wellesley more competitive with other hospitals in the region.
• The nurses won contract language that protects union rights for nurses at the facility and their ability to advocate for patients. The language prevents the hospital from exploiting a recent controversial ruling by the National Labor Relations Board, which found that charge nurses or nurses who perform charge duties may be classified as supervisors, and are thereby ineligible for union membership. The new language clearly recognizes and protects the union rights of all nurses in the union.

Clinton Hospital
Clinton Hospital has ratified a new three-year agreement. A restructured salary scale was developed to enhance the retention of experienced nurses. Language was added to limit floating and to guarantee nurses the opportunity of increasing their committed hours when they work additional hours over a period of time. The cap for sick time was increased to cover a 12-week leave and a long term disability plan was adopted for RNs working at least 24 hours per week.

Franklin Medical Center
The bargaining unit at Franklin Center continues to organize its members during negotiations. Recently, a social event with food, drink and conversation was held and in the near future the unit will hold a committee meeting open to all members. This meeting will be followed up with a series of open meetings for all shifts during which proposals will be reevaluated and new bumper stickers will be available. Plans are also in motion for the distribution of new lawn signs.

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