Bargaining Update – Day 10
Posted Mar 1, 2024
Management gave us NOTHING on wages and premiums today!
We know management has also been sending you updates from the bargaining table after our sessions. We want to set the record straight about some of the claims they’re making in their most recent proposal. But you don’t have to take our word for it; we’ve posted the pay scale they’re proposing to this newsletter so you can read it for yourself by clicking the link button below.
What management said:
“On Feb. 23, your PeaceHealth bargaining team provided the union with a comprehensive counterproposal, which included compensation.”
The truth:
After WSNA made a comprehensive proposal at our second scheduled session on January 22nd, management waited until February 21st – one week before expiration – to make any economic proposals at all. Your WSNA bargaining team sent management a request for information asking for them to explain the data they used to develop their proposal because the numbers just didn’t line up. We also worked quickly to make a counterproposal on both economics and staffing at our next session on February 23rd in hopes of reaching an agreement before expiration. Management sent us an economic counterproposal just before the close of business on February 23rd but failed to provide vital information we’d need to assess that proposal over the weekend. To date we have not received a response to our request for information, and management only countered our staffing proposal at our afternoon session on March 1st.
What management said:
“The union also presented two brand new economic proposals, which was a little surprising given Feb. 26 was our last session before the expiration of the contract. Our team is now working through these proposals.”
The truth:
WSNA made one new economic proposal at the February 26th session. We proposed that management reimburse any RNs required to obtain Oregon licensure for the costs of obtaining and renewing that license. We believe the other proposal management is referring to was actually a counterproposal – management proposed eliminating CES shifts altogether in its economic proposal, and we responded by proposing keeping the current CES structure but increasing the rate to match the CES rate at OHSU.
What management said:
“23.8% average wage increase over four years (depending on step)”
“Increases averaging 6.9% in the first year of the contract (7.7% increase in total payroll, which includes increases in differentials)”
“Increases averaging 5%, 5%, 4.5% in the second, third and fourth year of the contract”
The truth:
We asked management to show their work on this math in a formal information request on February 21st. Their response is now two days overdue, which means they’re sharing info with you that they can’t back up.
We ran the numbers ourselves, and here’s what we found:
- Management told us they’re including step increases in their calculations, which means they’re giving themselves credit for the annual anniversary increases you fought for at the bargaining table. To put this in perspective, if management proposed zero raises over the next four years it could still claim its proposal gives you a 5.5% average raise by counting just your annual step increases.
- By stretching the contract out over four years, management is juicing the numbers. Our contract covers three years, so even using their numbers their proposal averages 17.85% over three years. Take out step increases and that number shrinks even further.
- If we remove step increases from the calculation, here’s what they’ve actually proposed for first-year raises:
- A 3.2% average raise in year one of the contract for Clinic RNs.
- A 3.5% average raise in year one for Home and Community and Hospice RNs.
- A 4% average raise for Hospice Coordinator RNs.
- A 5% average raise for Inpatient Acute Care RNs.
Management’s proposal removes ARNPs from the bargaining unit entirely and separates Grade 19 and Grade 20 Home and Hospice RNs from their peers at the hospital, paying them less for vital work.
Big THANKS to OFNHP! They showed a presence at our bargaining today as we discussed Workplace Violence and Staffing
Picket pledges are HERE! We are starting planning for an Informational Picket at the hospital in the coming weeks. Contact a bargaining team member to pledge that you will attend.
While we are in negotiations, bargaining team members will be hosting informal union meetings with WSNA members. “Sip and Chats” will occur every Tuesday from 1800-1930 while we are in negotiations. Click the button to join via Microsoft Teams or call in (206) 485-2614; Passcode: 864004705# to join.
WSNA is requesting that EVERY NURSE wear a “I Support My Bargaining Team" sticker on negotiation days. Please contact a member of the bargaining team or WSNA Organizer Sam Scholl for a sticker.
Send us your pictures or share on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/phsw_nurses/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D.
Please follow “Vancouver RN’s Care for US” on Facebook.
Be an activist. Contact our Organizer Sammy Scholl for more ways to be involved. Cell: 425-606-7036, sscholl@wsna.org.
February 26 is our last bargaining session before the contract expires! To observe the bargaining session on February 26, 2024. Email sscholl@wsna.org to RSVP.
Yard Signs and Car Signs are here! Contact organizer Sammy or a member of the bargaining team for a sign!
Become a member, make our voice Stronger! https://www.wsna.org/membership/application
Contact membership@wsna.org if you are not getting emails from WSNA. Also, please remember to check your junk mail!
Want to join us for the full bargaining day? Contact our WSNA Nurse Organizer, Sammy, at sscholl@wsna.org to get all the details.
In solidarity,
Your Bargaining Team
WSNA Co-Chair Didi Gray, Family Birth; WSNA Co-Chair Dawn Marick, Resource team; Secretary/Treasurer Duncan Camacho, ICU; Grievance Officer Erin Irwin, CVICU; Member at Large Talitha Wilson, ED; Dillon LeSieur, RRT/Critical Care; Dustin Weddle, ED; Jeryl Anderson, Case Management; Brooke Churchman, Home Hospice; Samantha Golden, IMCU; Joan Ngarachu, PACU; Toutu Rekucki, Cardiology
Please contact WSNA Nurse Rep Travis Elmore Nelson at telmore@wsna.org or 206-575-7979 ext. 3117 with questions or to find out what you can do to get a fair contract.