The dedicated caregivers of 1199 SEIU at Concord Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Lakewood Township have ratified a new labor contract following negotiations with management. More than 100 caregivers fought for much needed pay increases and continued health insurance benefits as part of a new agreement reached between union representatives and management last week.

The final settlement includes significant wage hikes in each year of the contract and increases in contributions from the employer to the employee health benefit fund without additional costs to the employee. The contract represents a major victory for 1199 SEIU members at a time when many non-union healthcare workers are being forced to accept wage freezes and even wage cuts.

As part of the agreement, employees will also continue to benefit from training and education opportunities funded by the employer, designed to promote professional development and technical skills training.

“We got the main things we really wanted. We got to keep our insurance and we got wage increases. Everything else is going up, so we need our wages to go up, too,” said Alice Nicholson, a Certified Nursing Assistant at Concord Healthcare and Rehabilitation. “We are also very happy with the health insurance. I have a daughter who is currently between jobs, and having her covered under my health plan is the only way she can go to the doctor.”

“This settlement is great news for workers, but also for residents. More than 100 caregivers are now getting more of what they need to provide for their families,” said Milly Silva, Executive Vice President of 1199 SEIU in New Jersey, “and we know this enables them to provide the best quality care for their residents.”

1199 SEIU is the largest healthcare workers union in the United States, representing more than 350,000 professional, technical, clerical and service workers, pharmacists, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurses' aides and home health aides employed in pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, home care and social service agencies.