The Indiana Registered Nurses Association issued a statement reacting to the impasse declaration made earlier this week by Indiana Regional Medical Center.
IRMC had submitted what they called their “Last, Best and Final Offer” on February 18th, and earlier this week, the hospital declared that negotiations between them and the IRNA/PSEA reached the impasse, and the following day, IRMC said it had no choice but to implement some of the parts of the offer to union members, including changing paid time off benefits, having overtime start after 40 hours of work in a work week, and changes to health insurance after the IRMC open enrollment period in May, which will take effect July 1st. The 6.5% wage increase that was part of that offer would not go into effect until a new contract was agreed upon.
In their own statement, the IRNA said that the implementation of some parts of the offer was “(the hospital’s) way to get around the bargaining process” and that it was offensive to their members. The union also said that they continued to make counter-offers after IRMC made their “Last, Best and Final Offer” which were repeatedly denied by the hospital.
IRNA is taking a look at the options that labor law provides, and they say they will take appropriate action later on.
