Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are at the heart of veteran care at the Massachusetts Veterans Homes facilities in Holyoke and Chelsea. SEIU 888 is proud to announce a historic agreement with the EOVS that will establish a career ladder for CNAs and grant them the wages they rightfully deserve.

"At the heart of our veteran care stand our remarkable nursing assistants, who, day in and day out, embody compassion and service to those who have bravely served our nation," said Secretary Jon Santiago of the Executive Office of Veterans Services. "They are the unsung heroes, tirelessly working on the front lines of our facilities, ensuring the well-being and comfort of our cherished residents. It's high time we acknowledge their invaluable contributions and grant them the wages they rightfully deserve."

SEIU Local 888 President Tom McKeever said of the agreement, “This has taken a job and elevated it to a full career.  Workers will gain new skills every step up the career ladder that will have a positive impact across many facets of their lives.”

This joint initiative aims to equitably recognize qualified bargaining unit staff and provides CNAs an opportunity for career advancement within their field. For over 30 years, CNAs at the Massachusetts Veterans Homes have primarily been classified at the entry-level CNA 1 position, with only a few reaching the CNA 2 level. With the introduction of the nurse career ladder, employees will now have the opportunity to progress through four levels of the CNA job series based on their skills, experience, and responsibilities.

The MOA delineates the creation of position descriptions, staffing needs assessments at each facility, and the promotion process for eligible employees. Under this agreement, newly hired Nursing Assistants within EOVS will undergo a classification review after one year of employment, with the opportunity to advance a level. Similarly, current employees holding the Nursing Assistant job title for over one year will be reclassified to the next level. This means that all current Nursing Assistant employees will transition to Nursing Assistant II status, and all Nursing Assistant II employees will be reclassified as Nursing Assistant III. In total, 22 employees at the Massachusetts Veterans Home in Chelsea will receive promotions. Further details regarding promotions at the Holyoke facility will be provided soon.

Notably, the MOA memorializes the position descriptions that will be used for all levels of the Nursing Assistant job series, addresses current staffing needs at each Massachusetts Veterans Home, and describes the reclassification and promotion process moving forward.