large pay increase-benefit cuts=no gain

[oramar]

OK, I have made a lot of positive post in the last few months now I am going to speak up about something negative that has been called to my attention. Let me say at onset this is about benefit packages and does NOT affect me. Why, because I work without benefits and get paid 4 dollars more an hour on kind of it. However, I am hearing some disturbing things from my co-workers who do qualify for benefits. Their hourly pay has risen quite a bit in last 3 years. On the surface it looks good but I am finding out a lot of negatives. Almost everything else has been reduced. No more employer contributions to 401k or 403b. No more extra pay for charge nurse duties. Shift differential is non existant or minimal. No overtime unless you hit 40 hours. That means part timers do not get time and a half for staying a second shift. No matter how many hours you work you only get straight time for inservice hours. Full time employees are paying hefty amounts for their deductables as related to health insurance and paying part of their premiums. Used to be time and a half started at 4pm on Christmas Eve and New Years eve and ran till 7am day after Holiday, now it starts at midinight. Boy things have really gone down hill as far as benefits since 2000. This institution is talking about applying for magnet status, HA.

[renerian, BSN, RN]

That does stink........renerian

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

Magnet status will be hard to obtain with nursing morale low. I was in this situation, now am looking for job, if benefits are not there then I keep looking. This is what we working nurses mean when we say salary and benefits have remained flat for years.

[Zee_RN, BSN, RN]

Got a 3.0% raise this year, July. In January, the cost of my medical benefits will triple. From $24 per pay to $80 per pay. And the co-payments increase. For instance, an E.R. visit right now is $35 co-pay. In January, it will be $75. Scripts copays from $8 up to $15. Increased cost and decreased service.

So my pay raise = $1198 per year

My increased benefit cost = $1456 per year

So, even after my raise, I'm making $258 per year LESS than the year BEFORE.

[SmilingBluEyes]

But remember, we are not to be in this for personal gain, right?

or at least SOME would have us believe that. Grrrr......

It stinks, but it's all over; happening here, too.

My sympathies. I am grateful EVERYday for our military healthcare bennies for this very reason.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Our insurance went up again this year. Funny how insurance and health care costs rise above and beyond the rate of inflation?

Over five years ago they dropped the pension plan, in favor of us paying for our own retirement. They make token contributions still to the 401K.

But other than that we're o.k. The night shift differential went up by 1.00/hr a couple of years ago.

Part-times still get critical staffing overtime pay at whatever hour they work extra.

Sounds like exactly what you are implying is the case. More money in favor of less benefits.

[oramar]

She is describing exactly what I am talking about. Zee, I was at your hospital the other day and I thought about looking in ICU to see if you were there.