NEW YORK NURSE: October/November 2008

Oneida Healthcare Center approves contract

by Mark Genovese

NYSNA members Oneida Healthcare Center approved a new three-year contract on Oct. 3 that addresses their concerns about retaining experienced RNs.

A key issue during recent contract talks was that a change in the pension plan would drive veteran nurses to other hospitals and discourage new nurses from applying. The contract addresses this by giving RNs hired before Jan. 1, 2008, the option of choosing to stay in the current defined-benefit plan or participating in the healthcare center’s new 403(b) plan. If they decide to switch, their vesting credit will transfer with them.

In return for changes to the pension plan, the nurses won agreements on several key issues:

Compensation – RNs will receive salary increases of 4% on Jan. 1 of each year. Payments for working in-charge, on-call, and on the night and evening shifts were also increased.
Health and safety – The labor/management committee will develop a no–lift program at the healthcare center. The physical demands of their duties expose registered nurses to a high degree of back and knee stress injuries.
Benefit time – Increased the maximum payment that RNs who are ending employment can receive for unused paid leave. The contract also increased the amount of benefit time RNs can trade in for credit toward their health insurance premiums.

The new contract for the 100 RNs runs through Dec. 31, 2010.