Registered Nurses (RNs) employed by Springfield State Hospital Center were denied the use of paid leave on the weekend of January 22, 2016 due to their essential employee status. The employees leave status was charged to code 86, unpaid, unexcused absence. On February 5, 2016 the employees contacted their Labor Relations Specialist, Michael Keeney for guidance and assistance. Mr. Keeney filed instant grievances on behalf of the RNs to ensure that their time frames were protected.
Mr. Keeney argued that although the employees were deemed as essential and as such are required to report to duty