Howard Nurses’ Contract Extended; Major Issues Still on Table

The contract covering nurses at Howard University Hospital has been extended to August 31. DCNA proposes to avoid any layoffs for the duration of the 3-year contract, restore annual leave carryover to 2014 levels, maintain scheduling and working conditions practices and contract requirements and provide modest annual across the board wage increases.  While Howard management has withdrawn its proposal to remove QA/UR nurses and Social Workers from the bargaining unit, it’s still pushing to remove Nurse Practitioners. Click below to read more...

“Management also proposes major changes in scheduling and assignments that are designed to give it full control and authority over such matters,” reports DCNA Executive Director Ed Smith. In economics, Howard proposes “no across the board salary increases for the entire duration of the contract and proposes increases in employee contributions to health, dental and vision insurance and a decrease in the employer’s contribution to the retirement plan,” Smith adds.  Additionally, management proposes to penalize workers who call in sick by taking away vacation and sick time and also seeks to decrease the amount of sick days per year from thirteen to seven. DCNA and Howard return to the table on Thursday and Friday.