Tentative CNA, Dignity deal includes program to reduce workplace violence

Part of a four-year tentative labor agreement reached this week between the California Nurses Association and Dignity Health includes a new program designed to curtail and deal with workplace violence.

The pact, which the union expects to ratify next week, affects about 11,800 registered nurses at 27 Dignity hospitals in California and one in Nevada.

“This agreement honors our commitment to our employees and our healing mission while acknowledging the significant challenges Dignity Health and other providers are facing in the current healthcare environment,” Darryl Robinson, Dignity's executive vice president and chief human resources officer, said in a news release.

Union officials touted the safety program as the first such program between the CNA or its parent, National Nurses United, and a not-for-profit hospital system. Registered nurses would have access to supplemental insurance benefits up to $200,000 which would cover a range of unfortunate events that happen on the job, including accidental death, assault, and infection with HIV or hepatitis from a prick of a syringe. The program also includes trauma counseling for nurses.

“In fairness to Dignity, they made that significant investment, it's a credit to them,” said Desi Murray, NNU's assistant director of collective bargaining.

The program also includes a registered nurses council that will meet twice a year. Nurses from various Dignity institutions will serve on the council to voice safety concerns, which could then be brought to Dignity officials.

Murray was quick to point out that the contract provision does not reflect a particular problem with violence at Dignity facilities. With Dignity as a precedent, Murray said, it's something the union may bargain for with other hospital organizations, including in the CNA's ongoing talks with Sutter Health.

A similar provision was negotiated previously with a for-profit hospital company, Murray said, but he was unable to provide details.

Workplace violence and security have been hot topics for hospitals and their employees for years. Modern Healthcare's Joe Carlson wrote extensively on the subject in a three-part, award-winning series. Read it here: Part I. Part II. Part III.

Follow Ashok Selvam on Twitter: @MH_aselvam