HCMC nurses achieve first contract

HCMC nurses took the negotiations to arbitration and "achieved positive results" from a ruling issued Jan. 19, the union said.

"Prior to the November hearing, nurses completed negotiations on many important improvements to their working conditions, including the right to grieve unjust discipline and other violations, and instituting a seniority-based system for filling vacant positions," the union said on its website.

"The nurses successfully resisted the employer’s attempt to impose a Paid Time Off program that was a substantial discount from current benefits. The employer was also prohibited from unilaterally enacting significant changes to the post-retiree insurance. Non-union employees have recently been stripped of these benefits without their input."

The union blamed hospital negotiators for the lengthy process, saying management waited until the arbitration hearing to bring up proposals on wages, an on-call process and overtime rather than discuss them in face-to-face negotiations.

Other significant MNA wins in arbitration included a new longevity increase of up to $3,500 per nurse, the union said. This increase brings HCMC nurses in accordance with the other MNA contracts. Additionally, preceptor pay, confirmation of work agreement for new employees, retention of benefits language and others were all introduced for the first time.

"The first contract process posed challenges along the way, but negotiating team members are confident the outcome is a strong statement for nursing at HCMC," the MNA said. "Registered nurses represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association at HCMC now enjoy a contract that will be the standard for all unions represented at the facility."