Unionized nurses at William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, Conn., have accused the hospital of engaging in unfair labor practices by rewarding only nonunion employees with increased bonuses and merit pay, according to a Day report.
The nurses, which are part of the Backus Federation of Nurses, filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board. According to the report, the hospital announced it would pay bonuses up to $1,200, merit increases of 2.5 percent and matching contributions to retirement plans to all nonunionized employees who are part of a pay-for-performance system.
Hospital officials argued the unionized nurses declined to be part of the pay-for-performance program during contract negotiations, which are still ongoing. In the case a contract is signed, bonuses would still be subject to negotiations. Meanwhile, union spokesman Eric Bailey argued the hospital has distributed bonuses based on hours worked to all employees and such a payment policy should not change, according to the report.
The nurses, which are part of the Backus Federation of Nurses, filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board. According to the report, the hospital announced it would pay bonuses up to $1,200, merit increases of 2.5 percent and matching contributions to retirement plans to all nonunionized employees who are part of a pay-for-performance system.
Hospital officials argued the unionized nurses declined to be part of the pay-for-performance program during contract negotiations, which are still ongoing. In the case a contract is signed, bonuses would still be subject to negotiations. Meanwhile, union spokesman Eric Bailey argued the hospital has distributed bonuses based on hours worked to all employees and such a payment policy should not change, according to the report.
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