Registered Nurses and Respiratory Therapists Reach Tentative Contract Agreement, Service and Maintenance Workers Will Begin Bargaining Shortly
Late last evening, on Tuesday, December 8, after hours of negotiations, the 1199SEIU registered nurses and respiratory therapists at Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center in Yonkers reached a tentative contract settlement with management. This would be the workers’ first collective bargaining agreement. The contract cannot take effect until it is ratified by union members some time next week. Details of the agreement will be made available after the final ratification.
Furthermore, management has agreed to a bargaining date for the 1199SEIU service & maintenance baragaining unit that includes LPNs, nurses aides, food service and housekeeping workers, clerks, mechanics and others. Members of the powerful healthcare workers for 15 years, their their most recent contract expired on April 30. They will return to negotiations on December 17.
Background:
The Center’s registered nurses and respiratory therapists were trying to negotiate their first collective bargaining agreement for well over a year. At issue was adequate staffing to ensure severely ill pediatric patients can receive the medical care and social interaction they require and deserve. The caregivers said repeatedly that below market rate wages are forcing quality professionals to look elsewhere for jobs, in turn creating short-staffing at the Center.
1199SEIU Vice President Coraminita Mahr said, “The dedicated caregivers at the Center, the people who work directly with the children at their bedsides, were well aware that 1199SEIU contracts across the state are proven to help recruit and maintain staff. Tonight’s agreement reflects what they have been saying all along—quality care, proper staffing and a decent contract all go together in ensuring the goal of providing the best care possible for the children.”
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 400,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
Late last evening, on Tuesday, December 8, after hours of negotiations, the 1199SEIU registered nurses and respiratory therapists at Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center in Yonkers reached a tentative contract settlement with management. This would be the workers’ first collective bargaining agreement. The contract cannot take effect until it is ratified by union members some time next week. Details of the agreement will be made available after the final ratification.
Furthermore, management has agreed to a bargaining date for the 1199SEIU service & maintenance baragaining unit that includes LPNs, nurses aides, food service and housekeeping workers, clerks, mechanics and others. Members of the powerful healthcare workers for 15 years, their their most recent contract expired on April 30. They will return to negotiations on December 17.
Background:
The Center’s registered nurses and respiratory therapists were trying to negotiate their first collective bargaining agreement for well over a year. At issue was adequate staffing to ensure severely ill pediatric patients can receive the medical care and social interaction they require and deserve. The caregivers said repeatedly that below market rate wages are forcing quality professionals to look elsewhere for jobs, in turn creating short-staffing at the Center.
1199SEIU Vice President Coraminita Mahr said, “The dedicated caregivers at the Center, the people who work directly with the children at their bedsides, were well aware that 1199SEIU contracts across the state are proven to help recruit and maintain staff. Tonight’s agreement reflects what they have been saying all along—quality care, proper staffing and a decent contract all go together in ensuring the goal of providing the best care possible for the children.”
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 400,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
