In the spirit of cooperation, Copley Hospital and the United Nurses and Allied Professionals Local 5109 have renegotiated its contract. The newly extended three year contract will create a savings of nearly $300,000. A tentative agreement on the contract was reached on Tuesday, May 11, and confirmation made on Wednesday, May 12. The original contract was supposed to run through 2011.
“I am very impressed with the members of UNAP,” says Mel Patashnick, President of Copley Hospital. “In approving this contract, they demonstrated their understanding of how Copley is affected by the difficult economy. Their care for the long-term well-being of Copley is apparent in the tough decision they made at a time it needed to be made.”
“Healthcare is dynamic,” explains Sue Lucas, RN and President of Copley UNAP. “In negotiations with the current administration, we saw responsiveness on the part of both parties to work together to address a critical issue and do what is best for the community and our hospital.”
The new contract is effective May 30, 2010 through May 29, 2013. The new contract includes a reduced cost of living wage increase. The hospital has also scaled back on construction projects, capital purchases and travel in addition to increasing operational efficiency to reduce expenses.
Both Patashnick and Lucas cited hard work, respect, and a commitment on both sides to patient care and patient safety as key factors in reaching an agreement so quickly.
Spource: Copley. 5.14.2010. Morrisville