CPMC and CNA agreed on changes to replace the current Side Letter on Charge Nurse in the contract. The new language focuses the discussions on developing the role of the Charge Nurse in staffing, triage of patient care, validating competencies and adjusting assignments based on those competencies. As other units develop this expanded role, they will be eligible for the Charge Nurse II pay. This is an improvement in the grievance procedure. Until now, when we file a grievance against CPMC for violating our contract, if we can't work out a resolution with the employer, the final step of the grievance procedure is Arbitration.
Arbitration tends to be a very slow process.
It is also expensive because we have to pay for half of the Arbitrator's fee, the Court Reporter costs and other expenses. The ADR is quick and low cost. Cases can be resolved in a few weeks instead of months. With ADR, cost ceases to be a consideration in advancing a grievance. In the ADR process, the Federal Mediator hears the case as presented by the Union and the Company, much as an Arbitrator would.