Nurses Association wins retirement funds owed to CVPH employees

Massive settlement totals more than $242,000 for extensive calculation errors over three years

PLATTSBURGH, April 26, 2012 – In a significant settlement negotiated by their union, 143 employees of Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Center (CVPH) will share a total of $242,396 in back payments to their retirement savings plan.

The New York State Nurses Association had charged hospital officials with making numerous errors between Jan. 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2010, in calculating the eligibility dates and level of matching funds for employees covered by its 403(b) plan.

After employees brought suspected miscalculations to the attention of their union representative in 2008, the association conducted an investigation and found the problem to be widespread. Hospital officials rejected the union’s grievance, insisting their calculations were correct. So the Nurses Association took the matter to arbitration, which it won in 2010. This award was confirmed by the New York State Supreme Court on Jan. 17, 2012.

The parties agreed that employees will have the options of taking the full payment in cash, having it deposited directly into their account, or a combination of both. Payment will include 3.25% interest over the three-year period. Employees are scheduled to receive checks at the start of May.

It was also determined that 17 other bargaining unit members received excess contributions to their 403(b) accounts totaling $14,527.69. The hospital agreed not to seek to recover these overpayments. Any disputes arising from the application or interpretation of this settlement agreement, or any alleged breach can be submitted to the arbitrator.

The Nurses Association, which represents 800 registered nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, social workers, technicians, and therapists at the hospital, is the voice for nursing in the Empire State. With more than 37,000 members, it is New York’s largest professional association and union for registered nurses. The association represents registered nurses, and some all-professional bargaining units, in New York and New Jersey. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.

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