Editor’s note: This commentary is by Eileen Whalen, who is the president and chief operating officer of the University of Vermont Medical Center.
[T]his is an open letter to our community regarding where the University of Vermont Medical Center stands with its negotiations for a new three-year contract with the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, the union representing our nurses. Above all, we want everyone to know how deeply we value every member of our team. Together, we provide care for more than one million people in our region. We are the state’s only academic medical center, the region’s trauma center, the only children’s hospital and neonatal intensive care unit, and our area’s community hospital. We are the place many of us turn to for health and healing.
Negotiations with our union happen every three years. Since the union was formed in 2002, we have been able to reach agreement by coming together based on our shared commitment to each other, our patients and our community. I appreciate the opportunity to share with you important information about the status of these negotiations, what we are proposing for increases in nurse compensation, and what we believe to be the best course to take to reach a fair agreement.
I am heartened that we have five bargaining sessions scheduled over the next several weeks. With about four weeks until the contract expires on July 9, I’m confident that if we work hard and stay at the table, we can reach agreement.
As it stands today, the union is proposing a 28.5 percent wage increase over three years. Our most recent offer includes a 7 percent wage increase over three years, with additional increases up to 11 percent for some positions. We also propose to raise the salaries of ambulatory (outpatient) nurses to the same level of inpatient nurses, which would increase their pay an additional 10 to 13 percent. We believe this is the right thing to do to create greater pay equity among our nurses. We also propose significant changes to compensation for advance practice registered nurses (also known as APRNs or nurse practitioners), which will result in increases ranging from 10 to 18 percent.
Our support for our nurses extends beyond contract negotiations and beyond wages. We are constantly working to attract and retain skilled nurses and support staff. Since October 2016, we have hired more than 300 registered nurses and more than 400 support staff, a total of 754 full-time employees. Over 120 of these positions are new. We are also investing in exciting initiatives that support professional growth and development. For example, the UVM Medical Center is currently paying full tuition and fees for more than 90 nurses to complete their bachelor of science degrees in nursing.
You may have heard of the possibility of a strike. This is incredibly concerning to us all. I do not believe that now is the time to vote to authorize a strike when so much time remains for negotiations. To me, the most appropriate next steps is for us to remain at the bargaining table and to call in a mediator if we cannot come to agreement.
Of course, if the union does go out on strike, we will take the steps necessary to ensure our patients continue to receive the highest level of care no matter what. Nurses who do not wish to strike are welcome and encouraged to come to work as usual.
I began my career more than 35 years ago as a nurse. Trauma nursing is my passion. I know how hard our caregivers work and how essential their role is in delivering the care our patients deserve. Contract negotiations are always difficult. This has proven our most challenging yet, but we will get through it. I am grateful for the continued support of the community, the character and spirit of every member of the team, and the confidence our patients place in us. We will not let you down.
