FVPA Members Ratify New Agreement – April 22, 2010

April 2010

Fountain Valley Professional Association (FVPA) members voted on April 20, 2010 to ratify a new three-year collective bargaining agreement. The new contract, retroactive to February 2, provides for annual wage increases, an increase in on-call pay, an additional holiday, restoration of hospital's extended sick leave program, and other improvements. A record number of FVPA members participated in the full day of voting.

"I think it is one of the strongest contracts we have been able to implement for FVPA and the excitement that it's generating is unbelievable," stated Wendy Burrell, RN and FVPA co-chair of the Licensed Registered Nurse Staff. "We were able to get in language to protect individuals who have worked here for a long time and have strong language that clearly specifies member benefits."

Although negotiations extended well beyond the existing contract's expiration date, both the FVPA negotiating team and management worked hard to bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion, and avoid having to conduct a Board of Inquiry.

"We had a great team that put every effort into getting the best contract possible, commented Susan Adamson-Nelson, CLS, a laboratory microbiologist and FVPA co-chair of the Licensed Medical Professional Staff, which includes clinical lab scientists, licensed clinical social workers, pharmacists and rehabilitation professionals. "We were able to firm up the contract language to clarify how it must be interpreted, which helps strengthen our employee protections."

"I look at the full picture, and the full picture is what makes me happy," said Deborah Guinn, an RN in Labor and Delivery. "Benefits are part of my pay, so I am glad they took those into consideration. I attended some of the negotiations and I think that the members representing us did a fantastic job."