Local 5621 News, January 19, 2020

We want to start by wishing everyone a Happy New Year. This past year has presented us with some increasing challenges and so far, the beginning of this year is predicting much of the same. But as always, if we stand strong together, we will persevere.

• A big change has come about on the 5^th floor with the separating of east and west. We want to take the opportunity to provide some background from our Labor Management Committee’s agenda and meeting minutes. Back on October 14^th of 2021, after a mass exodus and staff feedback, the consensus was that the units were too big and there was no management visible or available to support staff. DCNs reported, especially on SDU, that it was difficult to make assignments, track reassignments, balance schedules and swap days to avoid call-outs. Because of this feedback from the nursing staff, employee engagement survey results, and in collaboration with management, we discussed and acknowledged that the units were indeed very big and a change needed to be made for better work flow. In December we were informed that management (under Management Rights Article 66 of our contract) were going to split employees on the 4^th and 5^th floors into east and west. We voiced concerns that the split be done in a fair manner with the least disruption to preassigned holidays and scheduling of PTO, while also taking into consideration skill mix. We were told by management that the west side is currently negative pressure and caring for COVID patients, and moving forward COVID patients will be shared among east and west sides.
• Please be advised that you are ineligible for any incentive pay (SIP, PIP, etc) if you call-out during the same week. You must work all of your prescheduled required hours in a week to receive bonus money. There have been exceptions made if you pick up an incentive shift in the same week you have preapproved PTO, but that must be confirmed with your manager.
• Management and HPAE came to an agreement to offer a bonus if certain nurses volunteer to delay their transfer to other units. Managers are offering this bonus on a case-by-case basis to keep staff in units where there is a critical need.
• Negotiations are fast approaching. We will be sending out a contract survey shortly to prioritize our most important issues.

Please reach out to an officer or unit rep if you have any questions or concerns. Our contact information can be found on hpae.org.

In solidarity,

HPAE Local 5621 LEB