Rochester General Hospital (RGH) and the Rochester Union of Nurses & Allied Professionals (RUNAP) met yesterday for our 24th bargaining session since negotiations began in October of last year. The session began at 10 AM and ended after 10 PM. During yesterday’s session, a Federal Mediator was once again present to assist the parties in their negotiations.
Yesterday’s bargaining session was productive, but we still have work to do today. RGH presented a package proposal on the open items still on the table.
RGH’s package included a very fair contract offer of an average 22% increase over a four-year contract, which is very competitive with hospitals across the region and nationally. Specifically, RGH’s proposal includes an 11% average increase in year one of the contract (the 6% increase RGH previously offered and another 5% average increase when the new proposed wage scales are implemented) as well as a 4% increase in years two and three and a 3% increase in year four.
The hospital also moved substantially on the important issue of staffing, and agreed to include staffing concepts in the contract, as well as added for the first time monetary penalties when staffing levels are not in compliance under the terms of the contract.
While RUNAP once again countered our rich proposal at the end of yesterday’s session, we are back at the table this morning and ready to work. As RGH and RUNAP are very close, we truly hope to reach a tentative collective bargaining agreement as soon as possible.
What’s Next
RGH and RUNAP are meeting again for bargaining today. We will issue updates as additional information comes available to keep you informed. You can sign up to receive email or text alerts when a new bargaining update is posted to the website and also submit any questions. Please visit www.RGHNursesMatter.org for more information.