VFNHP lead negotiator Molly Wallner prepares to read a statement Friday morning outside the entrance to The University of Vermont Medical Center. She announced that nurses had ratified a new, three-year contract. The union and management had reached a tentative deal last week. The button she's wearing says: "We Are UVMMC." VBM photo.
by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine There was no honking, slogans, cheering, sign waving or epithets this morning, as there was back in July when nurses at The University of Vermont Medical Center announced they would go on strike. Instead, lead nurse negotiator Molly Wallner, backed by a few colleagues, quietly read a statement saying that about 70 percent the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals had ratified a new three-year contract. Nearly 1,100 of the 1,800 nurses had cast votes, she said. The votes were tabulated Thursday night. A tentative agreement had been reached between management and the union September 19.
UVMMC management issued this statement Friday morning: "We are happy to share this long-awaited and positive news, and look forward to implementing the many changes that will result from this new contract – which will enhance patient care, provide additional support for nurses and allow for new opportunities to advance the nursing profession.
"The contract includes a 16% average base salary increase over the next three years, with wage increases ranging up to 30% for nurses in certain roles. Pay increases for ambulatory nurses will be retroactive to the first full pay period in September. For additional details, please see the attached overview of the agreement (BELOW).
"The contract provides meaningful wage increases and allows us to maintain our commitment to all employees and be responsible stewards of limited health care dollars."
The new contract runs through July 9, 2021. The previous agreement expired this past July 9. Nurses have been working without a contract since then. They engaged in a two-day strike on July 12 and 13.
Wallner, who works in the hospital's cardiothoracic wing, said along with the pay raise and other points, such as pay equity between inpatient and outpatient positions, they were looking for "more respect" from management. They are also hoping the new contract will lead to better staffing.
Wallner acknowledged it will take time for both sides to repair the bitter feelings both sides carried from this long process.
It was the first nursing strike in the hospital's history. The original hospital opened in 1879.
As part of her statement, Wallner said:
"This has been a long and difficult road for all of us, and we are extremely proud of what we have accomplished. We have shown the hospital, our community, and ourselves what we are capable of. We will always do what it takes to fight for our patients and the wellbeing of the community we live and work in. This contract is a clear reflection of our commitments to our patients.
"However, our fight for safe staffing and prioritizing the best possible patient care is far from over. Over the next 30 days, will meet with hospital management to begin the process of expanding the ambulatory nurse resource pool, with full implementation within 12 months. Over the next 18 months, we will work with the hospital to implement and enforce improved staffing grids that include ancillary staff.
"Beyond our contract timeline, we will continue our fight beyond the hospital walls. We are committed to moving forward pro-patient and pro-nurse legislation that supports safer staffing ratios and safer hospital conditions. We will continue our fight for $15 an hour for ALL UVMMC support staff, and we call on our representatives to help us take this legislation to Montpelier.
"We stand with our fellow nurses at in St Albans at the Northwest Medical Center as they empower themselves in their fight for patient care and patient safety.
"We stand with our brothers and sisters right here at UVMMC under the Technical Professionals contract as they deliver their intent to bargain notice on Monday.
"We remain above all else, committed to our patients, and to our community."
Technician members of the union were not part of these negotiations.
Among the handful of nurses in attendance at the press conference were ATF President and UVMMC nurse Deb Snell and former lead negotiatorJulie MacMillan.
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