Press Release  Executive Office of Veterans Services Signs Historic Agreement to Establish Career Advancements for Nursing Assistants at Veterans Homes

Boston, MA — The Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 888 announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to establish a career ladder for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), at the Massachusetts Veterans Homes facilities in Chelsea and Holyoke. 

"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." 

Speaking to a group gathered at the new Massachusetts Veterans Home at Chelsea facility to celebrate the occasion, 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.  

"We are thrilled to offer our Certified Nursing Assistants the recognition and opportunities they've long awaited," said Robert Engell, Executive Director of Homes and Housing at the Executive Office of Veterans Services. "Their long-standing commitment to our veterans is commendable, and we're thrilled to see them flourish and advance within the nursing field." 

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. 

The Nursing Assistant Career Ladder MOA is just one aspect of the Executive Office of Veterans Services' comprehensive approach to bolstering recruitment and retention efforts across the secretariat. In addition to establishing the Nursing Assistant Career Ladder, the Executive Office of Veterans Services is actively recruiting for a spectrum of vital roles at our veterans' homes, including skilled nursing positions like Registered and Practical nurses, as well as therapeutic, occupational, and administrative roles. 

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