Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers nurses' contract approved, including three-step pay hike

By Caroline Salls

Pittsburgh, May 10 - Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers obtained court approval of a memorandum of understanding as part of its collective bargaining agreement with the New York State Nurses Association that includes a three-step pay increase through Feb. 15, 2007, according to a Wednesday filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

Under the memorandum of understanding, the nurses will receive a 1% pay increase retroactive to the Jan. 17 employee ratification date, a 2% increase on Sept. 15 and a 3% increase on Feb. 15, 2007.

In addition, the agreement:

• Confirms improved staffing guidelines and calls for mediation if there is a disagreement over staffing;

• Clarifies collective bargaining agreement language on seniority and establishes procedures for disputes;

• Establishes guidelines for floating nurses that set a float maximum of 12 occurrences per nurse per year effective Jan. 1, 2007;

• Establishes procedures for overtime, including a stipulation that, before assigning overtime, the hospital must seek qualified floating nurses, nurses from a placement agency, volunteers and per diem employees;

• Sets New Years Day, Independence Day and Christmas as premium pay holidays and clarifies that New York law will determine the day on which each legal holiday falls;

• Allows employees to participate in a sick-pay buyback program on their anniversary date effective Jan. 1, 2007;

• Allows employees three days bereavement leave after 30 days of employment;

• Sets company contributions to the NYSA benefit fund through Feb. 15, 2008; and

• Increases the potential yearly cash reimbursement for the purchase of health coverage for a retiring nurse to $3,000 from $2,500 effective Jan. 1, 2007.

The New York metropolitan area health care system filed for bankruptcy on July 5, 2005. Its Chapter 11 case number is 05-14945.

© 2015 Prospect News.
All content on this website is protected by copyright law in the U.S. and elsewhere. For the use of the person downloading only.
Redistribution and copying are prohibited by law without written permission in advance from Prospect News.
Redistribution or copying includes e-mailing, printing multiple copies or any other form of reproduction.