Update regarding new collective bargaining agreement

As reported last week, the members of the hospital and union negotiating committee reached a comprehensive iteration of a new collective bargaining agreement that would become effective January 1, 2017. The current three-year collective bargaining agreement ends this month. Those in the union membership who voted, however, did not ratify the agreement this past Monday, Dec. 19.

The negotiating committee therefore is planning to meet again on Monday, Dec. 26, to resume negotiations. In the meantime, Local 814, the union that represents several hundred WVUH staff members in non-clinical areas, such as Environmental Services, Sterile Processing, and Nutrition Services, among others, has issued a 10-day Notice of Intent to Strike, which is required under federal law.

That being the case, WVUH has activated a work interruption plan, which has been developed over the past several months with input from key stakeholders. This plan will enable WVUH to continue providing exceptional care to its patients and ensure the continuity of the hospital’s day-to-day operations. The plan will only be fully implemented should the negotiating committee not reach a new agreement.

As more details about the negotiations emerge, they will be shared via Connect and through other communication channels.