Day 11 started out with WSNA presenting a comprehensive proposal to Management that included counters on weekend premiums, on call, charge nurse premiums and wages to name a few. As of right now, we are proposing 14.25% as of June 1, 2024, 4.5% as of June 1, 2025 and 4.25% as of June 1, 2026. Management is proposing 8% effective the third pay period after ratification, 3% in October 2025 and 3 % in October 2026.  Management told us that they felt we were far apart on wages and that they had little room left to move on their side. Management has told us, the wage gap for VNA is not the same as it is for other surrounding hospitals. Which is why Providence agreed to higher wage increases elsewhere like St. Lukes Rehab. We don’t find this to be an acceptable excuse and have communicated to them across the table VNA nurses are in fact behind. We are not done expressing our concerns to them on this issue, and plan to address it further at our next session.

Relief Nurses continue to be a topic of discussion with management holding firm on their desire to obtain a fixed dollar amount to be paid on top of base pay for compensation as opposed to a percentage. The current contract has percentages, as well as surrounding hospitals for their supplemental RNs (SHMC and HFH), so we know this is not a new concept for Providence. The effective of this proposal is that many nurses would receive less premium pay than they currently would under the percentage approach and the amount of the premium would not increase automatically when the base wage increases as it does under the current percentage system.

Management also told us they want Relief Nurses to work at least 4 shifts per month, and your team expressed this demand takes away the flexibility that Relief Nurses need for their family lives and dilutes the whole point of why nurses work per diem. If subjected to such strict rules, we told management, nurses would leave VNA. We feel our arguments are falling on deaf ears, but your team remains committed to holding onto the benefits that help recruit and retain talented RNs.

YOUR TASK… “The ASK”

The team is only as strong as the nurses supporting and standing in solidarity. Nurses have been wearing their WSNA buttons and blue to show management we are ONE. Keep up the good work! Keep the car signs in your cars and wearing your WSNA gear to show management we are not done fighting for a fair contract.

Not getting WSNA emails or texts? Contact Kitt Ruchert Nurse Rep so we can determine the glitch and get you connected. Email at kruchert@wsna.org