PRMCE RN - Providence Proposes to Eliminate EIB and Reduce PTO!

In our past bargaining session, we finally received an economic proposal from Providence. Their proposal would eliminate EIB, reduce PTO, require nurses to pay for parking, and provide higher wage increases to future new hires. We expected Providence to propose the elimination of EIB, but did not expect the other proposals. 

In 2019, Providence proposed a similar plan to eliminate EIB and replace it with a short-term disability (STD) plan which would use a combination of the State’s short-term disability program and Providence’s STD that would not cover a nurse’s time-off for a family members’ illness. The different Providence units authorized a strike vote due to this proposal and now we are seeing that proposal at the bargaining table. 

In addition, Providence proposed below market wage increases! While we made the argument at the bargaining table that we need better wages to retain and recruit nurses, Providence said they would rather focus their attention on recruiting nurses than investing in their current workforce. 

We believe this economic proposal along with the lack of movement on contract language is disrespectful to the RN bargaining unit. Providence needs to hear from all nurses that this proposal will not do and we need better wage increases and contract language with no takeaways! 

As so, we are moving forward with a contract vote to show Providence that we are not interest in their proposal! Although we will still be bargaining with Providence and may potentially use a mediator in our next sessions, we believe we need to send out a clear message to Providence! As a committee, we are recommending a “NO” vote on the current contract proposal. 

We will be voting electronically on March 11 (online voting between 12AM to 11:59PM). We will be emailing out a link to the vote. If you do not receive emails from UFCW 21, please email Anthony Cantu acantu@ufcw21.org so we can update your contact info so you may vote. 

We will have vote meetings on Tuesday March 2 and March 9 at 8PM via Zoom to discuss the contract proposal and walk through the voting process.. 

In solidarity, Your RN Bargaining Team: Juan Stout, ER; Kimball Conlon, ER; Betsy Bourg, Glasgow; Cindi Dyson, Float Pool; Jenney Gannon, L&D; Madison Hamilton