Earlier today, we reached out to National Nurses United and left a voicemail asking to begin negotiations on your next contract no later than Nov. 4. While your current contract runs through the end of February, we don’t want to wait to provide the market competitive pay you’ve earned.
This year, thanks to you and your professionalism, MWHC received the highest recognition a hospital can achieve for nursing excellence—our Magnet designation. And we were proud to showcase your achievements on the national stage at the Magnet conference in Atlanta.
We are so proud of the care you provide every day and the remarkable growth we’ve seen over the last two years. We are committed to maintaining the market-competitive pay programs that have helped us attract and retain the best and brightest nurses, but we know that requires reaching a new agreement with the Union. Until that happens, we cannot make solid plans for the future. By beginning bargaining now, we can work to put money in your pocket before the holidays—and that will be our goal.
For many of our nurses and leaders, this will be a first experience with negotiations. In my 27 years here, beginning as a staff nurse and working through several contract cycles, I know it can be difficult and even stressful. But I want to assure you: we will get through this together as ONE Team. We care about you, and our mission, vision, and values remain unchanged.
Collective bargaining is a collaborative process between the Union and the hospital to reach a fair agreement on pay, benefits, and other important aspects of your work. Both sides share information, listen, and negotiate in good faith until we arrive at a contract that works for everyone. Once approved, it becomes our new agreement.
Throughout this process, you can count on us to communicate openly and transparently. We will provide regular updates, and be available to answer questions so you always have the facts.
As ONE Team, we will approach this with collaboration and respect, keeping our patients first and one another at the heart of everything we do.
Stay tuned for more information as we await a response from NNU.
Thank you,
Ariam