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The tentative agreement comes after months of negotiations during whichUWMC nurses were forced to hold an informational picket and candlelight vigilto highlight concerns for patient safety. The agreement will be voted on byUWMC nurses on Oct 14th. The negotiating team is recommending a yes vote. Keycomponents of the agreement include:
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-- Rest between Shifts - UWMC nurses were able to fight off the hospital'sproposal to reduce the time nurses have to rest between shifts. Researchstudies confirm that the amount of time nurses receive between shifts isdirectly linked to an increase in negative patient outcomes.
-- Economic Package - UWMC nurses will receive a 7.5% pay increase overthe life of the contract. In order to recruit and retain qualified nurses inthis time of a shortage of nurses, the hospital must have a competitiveeconomic package that is consistent with hospitals throughout the region andthe State. The proposed contract will help keep the best and brightest atUWMC.
-- Changes in Benefits - After initial hospital proposals threatened toseverely limit a nurse's ability to take vacation time or time off in case ofillness, the agreement gives nurses more flexibility in their vacationscheduling. In addition, nurses will not be forced to use all of theirvacation days while recovering from illness or tending to a sick family memberunder the Family & Medical Leave Act.
"The UWMC nurses are very happy to be moving forward in this process. Withno reduction in rest between shifts and a wage package that enables thehospital to retain and recruit the best nurses in the region, the RNs areconfident that they can continue to provide the excellent care that theirpatients have come to expect. The RNs at UWMC have been united in their goalof outstanding patient care, safe working conditions and a good quality oflife for the nurses and patients at UWMC. With this agreement in place, thenurses can now go back to focusing on providing the best patient care in theregion," said Christine Himmelsbach, RN, WSNA Nurse Representative.
"This was a lengthy and difficult process but we've reached an agreementthat is fair to UWMC nurses and fair to the patients they care for. The UWnurses fought hard to maintain standards crucial to patient and nurse safety.This is a real victory for both the nurses and patients at UWMC," said BarbaraE. Frye, BSN.RN, WSNA Director of Labor Relations.
Founded in 1908, WSNA is the professional organization representing morethan 15,000 registered nurses in Washington State. WSNA effectively advocatesfor the improvement of health standards and availability of quality healthcare for all people; promotes high standards for the nursing profession; andadvances the professional and economic development of nurses.
SOURCE Washington State Nurses Association
