Dear BWH RN:

On November 21, 2011, a tentative contract agreement was reached.  We are pleased that, despite the current economic and healthcare environment, the agreement contains your number one priority, no take-aways.  A significant component of the settlement is the duration of the contract - 16 months (October 2011 - February 2013.)  This was a key “must have” for our bargaining unit. 

Across the hospital, consultants are on the units/floors and looking for ways to cut costs.  This, in and of itself, is required in today’s competitive healthcare market where revenue streams and federal reimbursements are projected to change.  Despite these challenges for the hospital, BWH nurses are committed to maintaining our standard of excellence which our patients have come to expect.

Our “Brigham nurse” brand is something we are extremely proud of and will fight to protect.  That is why we felt strongly that a shorter contract was in our and our patients’ best interests.  We do not want to be locked into an extended contract while the healthcare industry is in such a state of turmoil.  This will put us in a stronger position to push back against any interference or disruption with how we, as nurses, care for our patients.  The nursing care at the Brigham is second to none and we will fight to keep it that way.  We are the benchmark of quality care and excellence and we will hold the hospital accountable for any decisions that erode our nurse-patient relationships.

A copy of the agreement is enclosed for your review.  Highlights of the agreement include:

• 1/2 % across-the-board 9/2/12 for all nurses
• 1/2 % across-the-board 11/4/12 for all nurses
• 5% step increases will continue for nurses on the step scale
• For nurses at max - 1% bonus for regularly scheduled nurses and $500 bonus for per diems two weeks following ratification
• New language on vacation scheduling to provide for improved transparency of the request process
• Omnicell side letter will be continued (no fingerprinting)
• Improved language on military leave, return to work after LOAs, FMLA, cancellation of holidays shifts, OR staffing and AWOHNN standards 

Informational and ratification meetings will be held:

Informational Meeting
(For questions about the settlement)

Date:                           Thursday, January 5, 2012
Time:                           7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location:                     MNA Office -             340 Turnpike Street, Canton

Ratification Meetings

Dates and Times:        Monday, January 9, 2012
6:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
10:00 p.m. – MN
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location:                     Duncan Reid Conference Room - Pike - 2nd Floor

Please call us with questions or concerns.

In Unity,

BWH Bargaining Committee:

Barbara Norton, Chairperson, NICU              Michael Robinson, Vice-Chair, ER
Marian Wright, Treasurer, CWN9                  Judy Lydon, Secretary, CWN8
Susan Tartaglia, Membership, Care Coord.    Judith Racowsky, CWN9
Trish Powers, OR                                            Connie Gassett, AMB GYN
Jean Cabral, Sh 9                                            Dianne Griffin, 5A
Kathy McPherson, L&D                                 Sandra Abber, 16AB                         
Michael Savoy, ER                                         Kristen Robishaw, NICU
Laurie Demeule, Cath Lab.                             Susan McNeely, 8AB