Last night, the VFNHP Bargaining Team spent over 3 hours hearing the same thing from management: The hospital will not agree to any financial proposals beyond the $1.3M for their charge and preceptor differentials proposals. Seven proposals, including increasing all differentials, call pay, CTO, education funding, retirement contributions, and free healthcare, were rejected without discussion. 

UVMMC is not willing to be competitive in areas that are crucial to maintain its position as a Level 1 Trauma Center.  We are not competitive with our current $4.50 on call differential, which is a fraction of Dartmouth’s rate.  Care areas, like the Cardiac Cath Lab, rely on on-call staff to be available for procedures around the clock, something VFNHP proposed at a differential of $12 hour.  Where will these patients go if we have no nurses to assist them?

Key issues discussed at this week’s session:

  • UVMMC’s slow response to staff/patient safety concerns
  • Continued refinement of non-financial proposals
  • Pros and cons of top-step bonus spread across the pay periods
  • Improving transparency of CARP Committee
  • Charge nurse, travelers in charge and decision making
  • Improving communication to staff nurses
  • Faculty + Per Diem hours
  • Education $ and clinical ladders

The hospital said VFNHP can allocate the $1.3M to other proposals despite having promised the VFNHP nurses the raise was just one aspect of their plan to recruit and reduce the reliance on travel staff. 

We need our members to fight with us to improve patient care through these important safety, recruitment & retention ideas.  Bargaining resumes Wednesday May 18 at 17:00. The bargaining team will prioritize what matters most to you, so participate in your unit huddle ups!

Incentive Update

Current staffing incentive is extended through June 12. 

VFNHP and management are negotiating the incentive program for Summer 2022 on Friday 5/13.