I’m A Nurse With Chronic Illness - My Job Is Changing My Contract. Need Advice.

I’m a registered nurse at a major hospital in the Midwest. Location: St. Louis, MO

I work full time, only weekends, and I have for 10 years. During this time, I have been paid an additional differential on top of my base rate of pay ($20 extra) - but, this is apart of a contract, and I am contracted to work every single weekend. I can have 4 weekends off per year (12 shifts) and no more than that, to stay eligible to remain on the weekend program and get this differential pay.

However, my autoimmune illness does require me to miss time off and on. I have intermittent FMLA and have for years, for whenever I am in a flare up and cannot perform the duties of my job. I am in good standing with my attendance, never have been written up.

My workplace tells us this week that they are changing our contract, effective immediately, to include FMLA- related absences as the absences that will count against you. Is this legal? Anything I find online mentioned that “FMLA protects your job, but courts rule that employers can treat FMLA absences the same as non-FMLA absences when deciding eligibility for attendance-based bonuses, premiums, or shift differentials.” Though, I always thought they must keep you at a similar pay scale. If I get removed from the weekend program at work, I will lose $37,440 per year. This doesn’t keep me at a similar pay scale.

And here’s another thing- they are telling us this VERBALLY. The new contracts literally just say absences “for any reason” will count against you. So, FMLA, jury duty, bereavement leave can all count.

Any advice or insights are appreciated!