By now you’ve probably seen the guest opinion in the Spokesman-Review from Sacred Heart CEO Peg Currie. It is a retread of old arguments that we know represent significant takeaways from nurses—all in order to boost profits for Providence.

Let’s take it from the top.

Providence’s charity care falls far behind other health systems

“Our patients and employees are the heart of our mission, and we are committed to serving everyone in this community, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.”

THE TRUTH: Providence’s charity care policy - the policy stipulating when they will offer free or reduced bills to the poorest patients — falls short of its peers in Washington state. Providence’s corporate arm in Washington limits eligibility for free or reduced care to patients with family incomes less than 350% of the federal poverty level (FPL), far below other health systems.

For a hospital system with a mission to help the most vulnerable patients and with profits to make that mission a reality, Providence makes its choice clear: profits over patients.

Providence benefits proposals represent huge cuts, less financial security

“… we have put together a comprehensive and flexible time-off package benefiting all employees. This package provides greater financial security and more flexibility when unexpected needs arise.”

THE TRUTH: How does cutting our PTO and eliminating our Earned Illness Time, which we can use for both ourselves and family members, provide “greater financial security”? The short answer is IT DOES NOT.

Among the takeaways Providence is parading as “comprehensive and flexible”:

• Their proposal: 5 weeks of PTO for new hires and 7 weeks of PTO for longer-term employees.
  
  But, wait! That includes holidays. And sick time. And vacations. And personal days. And you have to accrue it—it isn’t just dumped in your account upon hire. Subtract from that elimination of our Earned Illness Time, and what Providence is proposing represents a huge takeaway, NOT “greater financial security.”
  
  
• Their proposal: Replacement of EIT with short-term disability, for which you “can receive 65% income replacement for up to 25 weeks with no pre-existing condition exclusions.”
  
  But wait! That’s 65% of your income instead of 100%. And only for you, not your family. And, only if approved by a third-party administrator. You’ll have to dip into your PTO to get up to 100%. Thanks, Providence.
  
  
• Their proposal: “Coordinate with Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave effective in 2020, providing eligible employees up to 12 weeks of partial income replacement in the event an illness or injury, or to care for a new child or sick family member.”
  
  But, wait! Doesn’t that come out of my paycheck? YES, most of it does. Workers are funding the bulk of the state’s program. Not Providence.

THEY SAY: “We are committed to creating an exceptional and supportive work environment for our employees so we can continue to attract and retain the best people. Our proposals reflect the value we place in our employees by ensuring they stay healthy and are supported when they most need it.”

Are you feeling supported and valued?

Just because they say it, doesn’t make it true.

LOCAL UNIT MEETINGS TOMORROW

For more information and discussions of mediation, strike assessment and other issues that concern you, please join us at one of the local unit meeting sessions on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

Sessions start at 8 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and will be at the Spokane Labor Council - 510 S Elm.

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Jaclyn Perkins, BSN, RN, at 800-231-8482, ext. 3118 or jperkins@wsna.org.