Providence must honor employees’ earned sick leave benefit

I have worked for Providence Everett or 23 years. I work there because they serve the underserved. The mission ends with “we are steadfast in serving all, especially those who are poor and vulnerable.” The core values are: compassion, dignity, justice, excellence and integrity. This is why I have stayed with Providence.

Why then does Providence administration feel justified in freezing the sick leave that we have earned. Some have accrued over 1,000 hours of sick leave that has been earned during years of service. Many have saved it, like an insurance policy that you only use if you need it. If I earned this for the hours I have worked caring for patients, isn’t it mine to use when I need it? With what Providence has proposed, it can’t be used as sick leave and an employee could only get 25 percent of what they have saved, if and only if they retire from Providence. What if your bank did that?

I strive for excellence in my care of our patients and show them each compassion every day. I feel saddened and betrayed by having this earned benefit taken away. How is Providence living up to its core values of justice and integrity. This is an attempt to save money, but where will that money go.

An article by Fierce Healthcare reports the CEO over all of Providence Health had a 2015 total compensation of $4.1 million. Providence United Coalition reports 2017 total compensation of $12 million That’s more than 150 percent increase over two years. That doesn’t seem right for a nonprofit/not-for-profit health care organization.

David Anderson

Tulalip

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