1199SEIU nursing homes workers were gathering for an informational picket late this afternoon, when their employer, Emerald Nursing Homes, offered a settlement that pledged to finally implement the health plan that was agreed to on February 12, by the end of the month. The union negotiating team and delegates met immediately and signed off on the agreement, putting a halt to the picket.
Virginia Holt, a longtime worker in environmental services said, “We’ve been fighting for affordable quality health insurance at the Emeralds for a while. We stood our ground, because being able to take care of ourselves is essential to being able to come to work and make sure our residents our cared for. That’s why we were unanimous in support of the agreement.”
Background: 1199SEIU and the former employer, Presbyterian Homes, had a 3-year contract (effective April 2013-2016) when the nursing home was purchased by downstate owners and became the Emeralds (South and North), a few months later. Soon after that, the Emeralds unilaterally implemented (without consulting the union per the collective bargaining agreement) a new health insurance plan---copays doubled and coverage was reduced.
1199SEIU filed a grievance and an arbitrator ordered that the contract be reopened to specifically address health insurance benefits. At the the same time, the employer was ordered to pay the difference between the copays of the former health plan and the one instituted by the new employer. Negotiations for the reopener were held last winter, December 2014 and reached a settlement on February 12---more than 2 months ago. That settlement, which provides for better health insurance coverage and benefits, has yet to be implemented by the employer.
An informational picket was planned for 2 p.m.to 4 p.m., today, Friday, May 1, but a small celebration happened instead. “It’s significant that this is victory for workers on International Workers’ Day,” said 1199SEIU Vice-President Todd Hobler. “When healthcare workers stand up for what’s right, everybody wins.”
There are approximately 200 workers in the bargaining unit who take care of the residents at Emerald South and Emerald North, including certified nursing assistants and dietary and environmental services workers.
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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.
Virginia Holt, a longtime worker in environmental services said, “We’ve been fighting for affordable quality health insurance at the Emeralds for a while. We stood our ground, because being able to take care of ourselves is essential to being able to come to work and make sure our residents our cared for. That’s why we were unanimous in support of the agreement.”
Background: 1199SEIU and the former employer, Presbyterian Homes, had a 3-year contract (effective April 2013-2016) when the nursing home was purchased by downstate owners and became the Emeralds (South and North), a few months later. Soon after that, the Emeralds unilaterally implemented (without consulting the union per the collective bargaining agreement) a new health insurance plan---copays doubled and coverage was reduced.
1199SEIU filed a grievance and an arbitrator ordered that the contract be reopened to specifically address health insurance benefits. At the the same time, the employer was ordered to pay the difference between the copays of the former health plan and the one instituted by the new employer. Negotiations for the reopener were held last winter, December 2014 and reached a settlement on February 12---more than 2 months ago. That settlement, which provides for better health insurance coverage and benefits, has yet to be implemented by the employer.
An informational picket was planned for 2 p.m.to 4 p.m., today, Friday, May 1, but a small celebration happened instead. “It’s significant that this is victory for workers on International Workers’ Day,” said 1199SEIU Vice-President Todd Hobler. “When healthcare workers stand up for what’s right, everybody wins.”
There are approximately 200 workers in the bargaining unit who take care of the residents at Emerald South and Emerald North, including certified nursing assistants and dietary and environmental services workers.
####
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.
