Incentive/Retention pay template letter and table

INCENTIVE PAY TEMPLATE LETTER

DEAR VISN DIRECTOR (NAME) AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR (NAME):

I am writing on behalf of AFGE Local XXX which represents (DESCRIBE BARGAINING UNIT) to express our concern about unfair and secretive Medical Center policies for providing additional compensation to employees facing increased workloads and health risks as a result of working during the COVID-19 public health emergency. We request that additional pandemic related compensation be provided based on a fair, consistent, and transparent policy that recognizes every employee who made these sacrifices to care for veterans at our facility.

To date, management has not fully disclosed its policy regarding eligibility for additional compensation or the amounts provided. Based on information available to the local, it appears that many employees were unfairly denied additional pay including NAME POSITIONS WHERE NO PAY WAS PROVIDED. (IF NO ONE AT FACILITY GOT ANY MONEY SAY THAT HERE AND ADD “We are aware that front-line employees at other facilities facing similar risks and increased workload received up to 25% increases in compensation starting early in 2020.)

We are also aware that some employees received significantly less pandemic related compensation than others. DESCRIBE AMOUNTS PAID TO DIFFERENT GROUPS (FOR EXAMPLE PHYSICIANS AND RNS MAY HAVE GOTTEN 25% SALARY DIFFERENTIALS VERSUS 10% FOR NURSING ASSISTANTS AND OTHER HYBRIDS AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL).

To determine which employees have been unfairly denied pandemic related compensation, please provide the following information for the period beginning with January 1, 2020 through the present. Please include information about all forms of additional compensation provided including incentive pay, retention pay, hazard pay and one-time bonuses and awards, including;

1. Documentation: All written documents issued by VACO, VISN or Medical Center leadership describing which employees were eligible to receive this additional compensation.
2. Eligibility criteria: The criteria used to determine eligibility for this additional compensation, such as job title and assignment.
3. Amount of additional compensation: The amount of additional pay provided, whether in the form of an hourly or salary differential or a one-time payment.
4. Payment period: The dates during which this additional pay was provided. If one-time payments were made, please indicate the dates they were paid.
5. Reason for termination of additional compensation: If additional pay was provided for a closed period, please provide the reason for terminating the additional pay.

Please provide this information no later than 15 days from the date of this letter. If you have any questions, please contact _____________. Local XXX stands ready to work with management to establish a fairer and more transparent policy regarding pandemic related compensation to improve recruitment, retention and workplace morale. Thank you.

Sincerely, LOCAL OFFICER NAME