Kadlec nurses!

One of the most important achievements in our last round of contract negotiations with Kadlec was an end to the hours-based wage grade system, and implementation of a new anniversary year system for awarding step/grade improvements for part time and full time nurses. This is a complicated transition, and WSNA is continuing to work with Kadlec leaders on a fair and equitable implementation plan.

Unlike most other hospitals in the state, Kadlec has long had a system of awarding step/grade increases based on hours worked, rather than employment anniversary. The result has been a wage system wherein part time nurses end up falling farther and farther behind their full time colleagues in the wage grade system. The hours-based system also essentially punished nurses for taking FMLA and other types of leave.

WSNA and Kadlec have agreed that the transition to the new Anniversary Year system for step/grade placement will commence the first payroll period following September 1.

WSNA and Kadlec are working to ensure that nurses who are close to achieving their next step on the “old” hours based system are not punished or disadvantaged as a result of the transition to anniversary year wage grade improvements. While we have not reached final agreement on the transition plan, the Union and the Hospital have continued to meet and confer in good faith, and anticipate reaching agreement well in advance of September 1. Reaching agreement soon is important so that Providence has a sufficient amount of time to program this change in their payroll system.

If you have concerns about how implementation on September 1 might impact your wage grade/step improvement, please contact WSNA Labor Negotiator Scott Clifthorne (sclifthorne@wsna.org) so we can continue fine-tuning our proposals to best serve all Kadlec nurses.

Solidarity,

Your WSNA Bargaining Committee