Last month, 1199SEIU members at The Pines of Utica, NY, proudly and overwhelmingly ratified their very first union contract.



After months of intense negotiations, the Bargaining Committee, with the help of a federal mediator, arrived at an agreement with management that includes union recognition and job security for union employees, a fair grievance and arbitration procedure, a signing bonus for union members, wage increases, shift differentials for CNA’s, and language that recognizes seniority and protects workers from discrimination.



Nick Daly, a housekeeper, reflected on his first experience at the bargaining table, “It was a long process but it turned out well,” he said, “The end result was good, so I’m happy.”



Brenda Gagnon, a cook at The Pines is relieved to have this contract settled for now. “You’re not going to get any better from the company at this time,” she said, “It’s not perfect but it’s a start. We will fight again in three years.”



“I’m proud of this contract,” said Charzell Perkins, a CNA at the facility and a member of the Bargaining Committee. “We worked hard. This was our first time going through the bargaining process and it was important for our members to realize that the Bargaining Committee always had their backs.”



During ratification the majority of members who voted on the contract also volunteered to join the Martin Luther King Jr. Political Action Fund. As a whole, this group is excited to get involved and ready to move on to their next challenges.