Recently, 1199SEIU was able to bring back 29 new union jobs at Boston Medical Center. BMC cancelled a contract that outsourced phone center work to Jacksonville, Florida. Union members raised concerns about the quality of work being performed by out of state phone operators and patients complained about talking to somebody in Florida who knew nothing about Boston Medical Center. After several mishaps with the company, 29 new BMC positions were funded to handle this work that was contracted out and patients calling to make Primary Care appointments will now speak with knowledgeable 1199 members.

The new job title is Patient Care Assistant and the union position is a promotional opportunity for current BMC union members.

Rosemaine Lamothe, a union member at BMC, said she was excited about the new positions being offered at the facility.



“It’s great. It’s good news. I did apply for the position and I got the promotion. I feel really happy about it. It’s a good start for the New Year,” she said.

The 29 new positions will be covered under the Unified contract at Boston Medical Center.

Meanwhile, Boston Medical Center RNs and LPNs have voted to extend their contract. The contract, ratified on January 23, will be extended for one year until February 2013. There will be no general wage increase, but a pre-negotiated two percent wage increase scheduled for January 30, 2012 will be implemented.

The BMC Preferred Health insurance plan will continue to be a no-cost insurance plan for nurses. Also, parking rates will be frozen until January 1, 2013, which was a major concern for nurses at BMC.

There will be a language subcommittee formed to address broad issues of importance to BMC nurses. This subcommittee will review language in the contract and address issues that nurses are having at the facility. Three meeting dates for the subcommittee have already been scheduled.

“I think that in these troubling economic times for healthcare, securing a contract with the benefits we have intact is hopeful for our future,” said Kerry Labarbera, RN, the chapter chair at Boston Medical Center. “For us to maintain our benefits is great.”

- See more at: http://www.1199seiu.org/29_call_center_jobs_return_to_1199seiu_members_at_boston_medical_center_bmc_nurses_negotiate_new_contract#sthash.LIbv4EQS.dpuf