FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: April Ezzell, 1199SEIU Communications, (716)449‐1620

One year agreement includes 10% wage increase, one‐time appreciation bonus, and incentives to address short staffing

Dunkirk, NY – About 150 healthcare workers are celebrating a contract victory this week at Brooks Memorial/TLC Health Systems. Caregivers are represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

The 1-year agreement includes a wage re-opener and an increase in pension contributions. Highlights of the agreement include step-increases for years of service that will help to retain long-term employees, a 10% general wage increase for all job titles, and a one-time appreciation bonus ranging from $250 for per diem employees to $750 for full-time employees.

Both union and management wanted to address short staffing issues at the rural hospital in Dunkirk and the Gowanda Urgent Care Center. In order to decrease mandating job titles other than Registered Nurses (who are protected by the mandation law), both sides agreed to have additional discussions regarding providing incentives for union members to work extra shifts.

"We worked hard to get this agreement done,” says Jeffrey St. George, Personal Care Assistant. “We are a little closer to where we need to be in these tough times. We will continue to work hard in our future,” says St. George.

"We worked hard to get the best raises possible,” says Kathyrn Manning, Registered Nurse at Gowanda Urgent Care Center. “With all of the problems with people leaving and being short staffed, all the loyal employees that have stayed are very happy with the results of the bargaining and our new contract. We are now more competitive and will be able to entice new employees to fill shortages,” says Manning.

The agreement runs through April 2023. 1199SEIU members at Brooks/TLC Health System work as Environmental Services Aides, Food Service Attendants, Nursing Unit Clerks, Central Supply Technicians, Health Information Associates, Lab Assistants, Phlebotomist Assistants, Materials Management Associates, Patient Access Customer Service Technicians, Patient Access Representatives, Patient Care Associates, Patient Financial Services Clerks, Sr. Radiology Clerks, Receptionists, Certified Central Supply Technician, Cooks, Health Information, Medical Office Assistants, OB Technicians, Patient Financial Liaisons, Rehabilitation Support Assistants, Medical Office Assistants, Certified Medical Office Assistants, Surgical Services Secretary/Schedulers, Licensed Practical Nurses, Maintenance Mechanics, Surgical Technologists, Medical Lab Technicians, Radiologic Technologists, CT Technologists, Mammography Technologists, Ultrasound Technologists, MRI Technicians, and Registered Nurses.

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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. https://www.1199seiu.org