Nearly all of the weekend nurses working for University of Missouri Health Care have agreed to sharp reductions in incentive pay.
The hospital announced in late March that it would reduce incentive pay for weekend nurses to 24 percent. Some nurses had been making up to 54 percent incentive pay, with others making 30 percent. The agreement also reduces the number of weekends the nurses can take off.
Spokeswoman Mary Jenkins says 250 of the 292 weekend nurses signed the agreement. Those who didn't sign won't receive incentive pay.
The Columbia Daily Tribune reports the hospital started the incentive program during a nursing shortage in the 1980s. Hospital officials say the changes are being implemented as the need for registered nurses has decreased.