Seniority Remains the Foundation of Your Contract
Your seniority continues to be based on your total continuous service in an OFNHP- or ONA-represented position. Seniority determines job selection, position movement, layoffs, recall rights, and bumping rights.
If two RNs share the same seniority date, the tie breaker is date of initial RN licensure.
Seniority is protected during approved leaves.
Specialty Nursing Practice Remains Protected
The agreement preserves the critical protection that qualifications, skills, and specialty expertise must be considered when positions are filled and when layoffs occur.
This reflects our long-standing position that “a nurse is not a nurse,” and that nursing expertise, specialty knowledge, and clinical experience matter.
Importantly, the contract maintains language that allows a less senior nurse with required specialty qualifications to remain in a position if a more senior nurse does not possess those qualifications.
This helps ensure the right nurse cares for the right patients.
Job Movement and Position Selection Remain Based on Seniority
When positions open:
- Positions must be posted in home department prior to being opened internally within KP, then externally.
- Define and created rapid internal shuffle process
Union transparency of processes.
Layoff and Bumping Rights Remain Protected
If reductions occur:
- Agency and temporary staff are reduced first
- Regular staff are reduced last
- Layoffs occur in reverse seniority order within the work group
Bottom Line
This agreement preserves the core protections that matter most:
- Seniority remains fully intact
- Specialty expertise remains protected
- Job selection still follows seniority
- Bumping and recall rights remain
- Qualifications and competency continue to matter
This contract protects both nurses and the patients we serve.