Hospital-nurses scorecard

Who won and lost with the final deal that’s been negotiated between area nurses and hospitals? Here are the proposals from each side and the result.

THE DEAL
Subject What the nurses wanted What the hospitals offered The deal Winner
Staffing Nurses wanted hospitals to budget all units at no less than 115 percent of capacity. They asked hospitals to set nurse-to-patient ratios for particular units. No change from current practice. No change from current practice. A commitment to addressing both parties’ staffing issues through the existing committee systems at the various hospitals.
Salary 4.5 percent salary increase for each of the next three years. 0%, 1%, 2% increase in each of the next three years. A wage-only agreement with 0%, 1%, 2% increase in each of the next three years.
Pension Preservation of retirement benefits via pensions. Cutting the pension fund. Nurses said it would reduce their retirement benefit by one-third. Pensions benefits preserved.
Scheduling No proposal indicated Increase number of days they can cancel a nurse’s shift at the last minute from 3 to 15 annually. Dropped
Patient care Contract language requiring that proper equipment and planning are in place to protect patients in case of disease outbreaks such as the H1N1 virus. No proposal indicated. Dropped
Technology Asked for contract language that ensures patient care is enhanced by new technology. No proposal indicated. Dropped