Massachusetts

Sixty healthcare workers at Vero Health & Rehabilitation’s extended care facility in West Roxbury will see higher wages and improved benefits under a new three-year contract agreement.

The contract, ratified last week by workers, includes an increase in the starting wage to $12.50 and a four percent increase in wages across the board. Workers will also have lower out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.

“This agreement not only provides these crucial caregivers with higher pay and lower healthcare costs, it also provides opportunities for healthcare workers to upgrade their education. That will help build new career pathways for area workers and improve care at the same time,” said Veronica Turner, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

A key aspect of the new agreement for the 60 Vero Health & Rehabilitation workers – who are members of 1199SEIU and include certified nursing assistants and activities staff – was gaining new access to the 1199SEIU Training and Upgrading Fund.

Founded in 2006, the 1199SEIU Training and Upgrading Fund is a joint labor-management partnership between 1199SEIU and local participating healthcare providers that has helped thousands of workers to enroll in post-secondary certificate or degree programs.

The Vero Health & Rehabilitation contract agreement is the most recent in a series of successes for nursing care workers who are member of 1199SEIU. 1199SEIU members also reached agreements recently with Genesis HealthCare regarding Medford’s Courtyard Nursing Care Center and with Waltham’s Maristhill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

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