We met with management today to discuss the recent proposal from VM to raise the eligibility for fulltime benefits from a 0.75 to 0.8. This change was going to have a significant financial impact on the roughly 80 nurses who have a 0.75-0.79 FTE.  This proposal was REJECTED by your bargaining team!  The hospital agreed. Nurses with a 0.75 to 0.79 FTE will continue to receive and pay premiums at a fulltime status through the life of the contract - at least 2026.

Additionally, the following agreements were reached:

• The period for electing “wage in lieu of benefits” will change from a 10-day period to the “designated enrollment period.” This is an extension of the time allotted to make that election.
• New hires will now be eligible for benefits beginning the first of the month following the start of thirty (30) days of employment. This is a slight delay in the start of eligibility from previous language. The hospital relayed that it was seeking to standardize VMFH facilities.
• Per diems who meet eligibility requirements (at least 30hr/week average for the year) will be eligible for the high deductible plan only. This is a change from the previous years where qualified per diems had the choice of all plans.

Once we have the MOU formatted, it will be posted to this WSNA website.

Questions, comments or concerns? Please contact one of your local unit officers or Nurse Representative, Sara Frey at sfrey@wsna.org.

In solidarity,
Chair - Hannah Collins-Lewis
Vice Chair - Michael Salters
Secretary - Kimberly Travis-Carter
Grievance Officer - Donna Watts
Grievance Officer - Kim Adekoya