Petition Lifespan’s Refusal to Adjust Wages
PETITION Link has been texted & emailed routinely.
Call the UNAP office if you have not recieved it. 401 831-3647 ext 11
Because Lifespan is “cutting off its nose to spite its face”, we are asking all members to click on the link (in purple) demanding Lifespan to follow the contract and implement the necessary wage increases to attract and retain quality employees. Once it is signed, we will present it to Lifespan administration. You will receive an email confirmation and a link you may share with other UNAP members.
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Please read this message from President Frank Sims, RN for details on the petition.
July 30, 2021
Dear RIH-UNAP Member,
As you may have heard, Lifespan is allegedly increasing wages for nurses and other job classifications within the Lifespan system - but NOT for the members of UNAP at Rhode Island Hospital. Apparently, Lifespan is having trouble attracting and retaining health care workers as a result of the pandemic.
Healthcare Worker Shortage
Lifespan’s refusal to increase the wages at RI Hospital to meet the health care worker shortage is typical of their anti-worker and anti-union attitude. Despite all the hard work by the members of UNAP throughout the pandemic- working short staffed, without proper PPE, without sufficient support staff and insanely long hours- Lifespan is going to increase wages throughout the Lifespan system, EXCEPT at Rhode Island Hospital.
UNAP Contract Allows Wage Scale Adjustments
Lifespan’s refusal is even more confounding because our contract allows Lifespan to increase salary scales based on labor market conditions. Lifespan has in fact used this provision of the contract several times over the years to increase wages of certain job classifications when the market conditions required it.
Article 30.7 of the collective bargaining agreement states:
“It is understood that employee salary levels are minimums
and may be increased by the Hospital to reflect marketplace conditions
fter notice and upon requested discussion with the Union.”
What this language means is that the Union and the Hospital agreed all the wage scales in the contract are minimums and that if marketplace conditions (such as a healthcare worker shortage) change to require an increase, all Lifespan has to do is notify and discuss with the UNAP the wage increases- and then simply make the increases.
Needless to say, the Hospital is not going to use the above quoted, already bargained over language to increase UNAP members wages despite the problems in hiring and retaining workers at the Hospital. Despite marketplace conditions requiring an increase in wages at RIH, Lifespan is refusing to use the existing contract language to do so.
IMPORTANT – Understanding Protection Under Federal Law
Employees have a right to take part in concerted activities (e.g. petition), and are protected under Federal labor law (National Labor Relations Act). Any actions from the employer that interfere, restrain or coerce an employee in these rights, is a violation under the Act. Any such actions need to be reported immediately to the UNAP.
Calling Upon Our Reps & Other Active Members
We ask our Reps and other active members to follow-up with your coworkers
before/ after shift or during break - not everyone reads email or texts. All you need is the link & they can sign on your phone. If you need a list of unit names, contact the office (401) 831-3647, ext. 11 or email Eileen@unap.org
In Solidarity,
Frank Sims, RN, President
RIH-UNAP, Local 5098