Reaching an Agreement
We’ve negotiated with NUHW for more than a year and at our Thursday, September 5 bargaining session, we reiterated our excellent offer to the NUHW bargaining team as our “last, best, and final” proposal — with a significant difference. We added an important element that we hope reflects our interest to move forward with you. If the proposal is accepted by September 25, 2019, Kaiser Permanente will make wage increases in our proposal retroactive to the pay period closest to September 30, 2018, the date of the last contract’s expiration. This means the 3% salary increase for the first year of the agreement will go into effect during the pay period closest to September 30, 2018. In each of years 2 and 3 you’ll receive an increase of 2% to the base and a 1.5% cash payment. If this offer is not accepted, the annual wage increases will become effective as of the first full pay period to begin after ratification of the agreement which is the more traditional approach to timing.
Please see the information below for details about the other key features of our offer. It’s our hope that after your review, you’ll conclude that these terms will provide you with highly attractive wages and benefits and will strengthen Kaiser Permanente’s ability to be the best place in health care to work and to receive care.
Contract Proposal Summary
(*Items listed are subject to bargaining)
Your Personal Economics
Annual Performance Sharing Bonus of up to $5,000* A Ratification Bonus of 1% will be paid to full- and part-time active employees employed on the date the new contract is ratified. A Ratification Bonus of 1% will be paid to full- and part-time active employees employed on the date the new contract is ratified. No changes to Active Medical and Pension Programs Annual Dental Coverage* Effective January 1, 2021, the dental plan participants’ annual maximum will be increased to $1,500 per calendar year. Also effective January 1, 2021, the lifetime maximum for child orthodontia will be increased to $1,500. Alternate Mental Health* Effective January 1, 2020, the Alternate Mental Health coverage will cover 80% of reasonable and customary charges, inclusive of both inpatient and outpatient, with no maximum number of visits. Benefits by Design Voluntary Programs* Effective January 1, 2020, the Benefits by Design Voluntary Program will be made available to eligible employees on an after-tax basis. Available options may include: long-term care insurance, legal services insurance, additional term life insurance, identity theft maintenance, and auto, homeowners’, and pet insurance. Wage Differential Enhancements* Differential increases for Evening Shifts, Night Shifts, and Standby Pay. Market-competitive adjustments to wage scales* Kaiser Permanente proposed market adjustment increases to wage scales for Psychiatric Registered Nurse professionals with associated minimum requirements for the position to align with other Southern California nursing professionals. Tax Deferred Retirement Savings* Effective January 1, 2021, Kaiser Permanente will match 100% of an eligible employee’s contribution to his/her EDC plan, up to three percent (3%) of the employee’s eligible compensation. Effective January 1, 2021, Employees working at Kaiser Permanente on December 31 of the applicable year who contribute throughout that year at least 2% of their eligible compensation, or 3% of eligible compensation if they participate in the EDC plan, will receive the applicable match from Kaiser Permanente on the total of his/her eligible compensation. Retiree Medical Health Reimbursement Account* Increased to $2,000 per year of service |
Your Practice & Staffing
Immediate Relief* (within 30 days of contract ratification) • Staffing with temporary agency resources and therapists where available to assist with return access. • Staffing with temporary agency psychiatric RNs for triage where indicated. Increased supplemental staffing resources (temporary, per-diem, agency) for an immediate increase in internal capacity. Office practice support (as indicated) • Appointment clerks • Clerical resources • Extender roles More recruiters and staff working to fill mental health positions. More rapid expansion and refresh of mental health offices, facilities. SCAL Care Navigators* 20 additional FTE positions (LCSW/MFT) for the Southern California Care Navigator rollout and implementation will be created to provide immediate access relief. The positions will be added as soon as administratively possible in relation to individual medical center start-up operational needs. New Job Classifications* Two new classifications have been proposed: Developmental Psychologist and Neuropsychologist. Both classifications will be paid 5% above the current Psychologist wage scale. Also, an additional 5% differential will be paid to Neuropsychologists who obtain and provide proof of valid Neuropsychology board certification. |
Professional Development & Growing the Workforce
Increased tuition reimbursement to $3,000/year* Student Loan Repayment Program • Graduates of accredited bachelor’s or master’s level programs would receive a $10,000 lifetime repayment for qualified student loans related to education in mental health professions, with a maximum reimbursement payment of $2,500 per year. • Graduates of accredited doctorate level programs would receive $20,000 lifetime repayment for qualified student loans related to education in mental health professions, with a maximum reimbursement payment of $5,000 per year. • Current employees with at least a .80 FTE, who have an existing college school loan(s) from an accredited college/university receiving a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree in the field of mental/behavioral health, are eligible to apply for this program. • This program is for loans already incurred as of June 1, 2019. KP investments to support • Post graduate Fellowship & Residency programs • Expansion of KP’s master’s practicum and post-doctorate programs • Grants to fund clinical research • Grants to expand college degree programs in mental health |
