Session 28 OHSU + ONA Bargaining: Aug. 30
OHSU has provided an Excel wage calculator so ONA-represented nurses can determine their wages, including annual pay, based on their FTE. This wage calculator is based on OHSU’s Aug. 29 supposal of a 15% increase in year one of the new contract. To access the calculator, nurses need to be on a computer to download the sheet through O2.
Additionally, the new offer includes adopting a 30-step wage scale that would mean more frequent annual step increases.
On Tuesday, Aug. 29 the OHSU and ONA bargaining teams met for continued mediation, during which OHSU presented a package supposal. A supposal is a routine method for passing unofficial “what if” scenarios by another party to see how movement might gain traction and whether it could lead to final agreement. If a supposal doesn’t get traction at the table, it’s not binding on the party that presented it.
OHSU's supposal
A summary of how OHSU’s supposal would modify its published final offer includes:
Wages
- Across-the-board base wage increases of:
- Year 1 – 15%
- Year 2 – 4%
- Year 3 – 4%
- Adopting a 30-step wage scale effective July 1, 2024, that includes annual step increases (e.g., removes five-year waiting periods after step 6)
Staffing
- Staffing plans for acute care, emergency department, and inpatient oncology will not decrease below current staffing levels in existing staffing grids, even if permitted by the ratios established under the new law
- Meal and rest relief hours to provide coverage during nurse meal and rest breaks (e.g., no more buddy-break system)
- Staffing plans for all ambulatory care units will be reviewed and approved by the HBNSC
Resource Nurses
- Withdraw the proposed increase to the resource nurse minimum required shift
- Resource nurses will be eligible for the full CNI rate for designated CNI shifts as long as they work 40-hours in the two-week pay period and satisfy the requirements of article 24.1
Health and Safety
- Create a task force to review OHSU’s emergency communications plan and related policies and make recommendations for improvements, in addition to the safety and security assessment
You can access OHSU’s full package supposal in this post and its Aug.15 Final Offer proposal for details.
ONA provided part of a comprehensive response and will present the remainder on Wednesday, Aug. 30.
Going forward
The next mediation meeting is on Wednesday, Sept. 13.