"They've acknowledged that they are going to save money with this new plan," she said of CVPH management. "We feel they can put more of those savings back into the defined contribution plan."

Mundy said the hospital has put savings from the proposal back into the retirement plan and added that there is little room, beyond minor "tweaking," that the hospital can do with the contract.

"What we have brought to the table is basically what we have to offer," he said. "To go any higher would be irresponsible to the community and to the Medical Center."

SALARIES

Another major concern deals with the proposed salary increase.

"One of the issues still outstanding is the wages the hospital has offered," said Nurses Association representative Sandra Guynup. "Their offer is still 2.5 percent behind Alice Hyde for first-year nurses."

The proposed CVPH contract offers a base hourly rate for registered nurses at $23.01, a 3-percent increase, while the base rate at Alice Hyde is $23.58.

In comparison, Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake offers $22.86, and Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, which is of comparable size to CVPH, pays $21.41.

"We've had nurses who have left here to go to Alice Hyde," Guynup said. "There is one nurse who is now making $5 more an hour with the same experience. Other nurses are going to Fletcher Allen (in Burlington) or are becoming traveling nurses. We need to have a salary that is more competitive."

Management feels the proposed contract does offer a competitive salary, however.

"You have to look at the contract as a package," said CVPH President Stephens Mundy. "We believe we are offering a far superior package. There are great people here, and they do great work. We think we've got a great package for them."

For instance, when computing shift differentials for working evenings, nights or weekends, the base salary increases anywhere from $2 to $3.25 per hour at CVPH, whereas Alice Hyde nurses receive an additional $1.80 for evenings and nights and $1 for weekend work, Mundy noted.

That means a new nurse at CVPH can make up to $26.01 per hour, while differentials at Alice Hyde will increase the hourly wage to no more than $25.38.

TALKS TO RESUME

Both sides will return to the table in a few days to see if any changes can be made to bring the staff and management to an agreement.