For Immediate Release
Contact: Anna Oman, 929-637-3708, anna.oman@1199.org

Union members won historic raises, kept pension, and began to rein in employee healthcare costs

HUDSON, N.Y. – 1199SEIU members settled a tentative agreement late Tuesday night with Columbia Memorial Hospital after a year of contentious bargaining and mobilizing community and elected leaders. The contract once ratified by members will include a 22.25% across-the-board raise for more than 750 union members over the four years of the contract. 1199SEIU members also won a new minimum rate for union workers at the hospital of $18 per hour, improved STEP increases for key job titles, and higher employer contributions to health insurance costs.

“1199SEIU members came together for huge demonstrations, vigils, town halls and rallies in Hudson – and, finally, CMH workers will have more money in their pockets with historic wage increases,” said Greg Speller, Executive Vice President for the Hudson Valley and Capital region of 1199SEIU. “At the same time, we have very serious concerns about how far CMH remains behind their competitors in terms of wages and benefits. Lagging behind doesn’t just affect our members and their families, but the quality of care available to the community.”

Across the border wage increases include:

• Year 1: 7% (retroactive to Jan 1, 2024)
• Year 2: 5% (retroactive to Jan 1, 2025)
• Year 3: 5.25% (effective Jan 1, 2026)
• Year 4: 5% (effective Jan 1, 2027)

“Despite any disappointment with CMH’s lack of appreciation for our hard work and sacrifice over the years, 1199SEIU members will continue to provide the best possible care to our patients. We have something to build on – but we have a long way to go,” said Robin Johnson, an operating room RN with 35 years at CMH.

Employee healthcare costs were also a serious issue at the table, and CMH agreed to pay a greater percent of union members’ health insurance premiums, as well as to continue pension contributions unchanged.

“We’re settling now, but we are fully aware that this is a fight that will go on – and we’ll continue it for our families and our patients,” said Brianna O’Leary, a CT imaging technologist at CMH.

“I was proud to stand with the members of 1199SEIU as they fought for historic wage increases. This agreement represents a significant victory for workers, but the fight for wage parity and essential investments at CMH continues, and I’ll have their backs every step of the way,” said Congressman Josh Riley, who along with Mayor Kamal Johnson, Hudson Common Council President Thomas DePietro and members of the Common Council, State Senator Michelle Hinchey, and NYS Representative Didi Barrett rallied with frontline workers and community members for quality care and good jobs at CMH.

Union members at Columbia Memorial, a part of Albany Med Health System, will vote on whether to ratify the new contract early next week.

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1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in New York and nationwide. We represent over 450,000 members throughout New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Florida, and Washington, D.C. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.