EVERETT — Employees at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett are reeling after management announced plans last week to reduce certified nursing assistant staffing.

On Thursday, Providence management held a mandatory meeting for a number of the hospital’s more than 200 certified nursing assistants, notifying them of the decision. Employees said they received notice of the meeting the day before.

Per the union’s collective bargaining agreement , Providence asked for volunteers to take a severance package. If the number of volunteers does not meet the need for reduced staffing, Providence could proceed with layoffs, with seniority as the determining factor, according to the contract.

Management gave certified nursing assistants a deadline of Thursday to accept the voluntary severanc

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