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SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West and SEIU 121RN Ratify Statewide HCA Contract

Posted on: Monday, 18 September 2006, 15:01 CDT

Calif., Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Last Friday, 95% of voting SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West (UHW) and SEIU 121 RN members ratified a landmark statewide contract that governs all five California hospitals owned by HCA. The statewide contract will expire on March 31, 2010 and features enormous gains in the workplace for the 4000 SEIU UHW and 121 RN healthcare workers employed by HCA. Highlights of the new contract include a 40% pay increase for many, a ban on mandatory overtime and subcontracting, and safe staffing guidelines.

"I commend my hospital's management for agreeing to an industry standard contract that will make a real difference in the quality of care we are able to give patients. We now have a voice in staffing, a training and upgrade fund, and protections against lay-offs and call-offs," said Jean Suyenaga, a Phlebotomist at HCA/Regional Medical Center of San Jose. "This is the beginning of a new day at California HCA hospitals."

The statewide contract includes safe staffing guidelines that offer caregivers the right to strike mid contract over Lay-off, Staffing Issues Committee and Call-off disputes. Additionally, management agreed to return ten previously laid-off Certified Nursing Assistant positions at HCA/West Hills Medical Center. Management at HCA/Riverside Medical Center will pay all Certified Nursing Assistants for time lost during the blanket Call-off that transpired over three days last July and has already returned staffing patterns to their higher pre-July levels.

"My fellow union members and I won this contract because of our extraordinary unity. There is no limit to what healthcare workers can win for their patients and their own future when they are united," said Russell Main, a Respiratory Therapist at HCA/Riverside Community Hospital.

Caregivers also won protection against subcontracting, limits to the use of on-call, and a ban on mandatory overtime. Fully employer paid health insurance for union members and their families was preserved at four of the hospitals. At HCA/Los Robles Medical Center, caregivers and their families won the benefit for the first time.

Additionally, all five HCA hospitals will contribute an amount equal to .22% of all UHW wages each year to the UHW Education Training Trust fund to aid career advancement and improve skills. Registered Nurses represented by SEIU 121 RN at the three HCA hospitals in Southern California won an employer contribution of .22% of all 121 RN wages each year to a newly created RN Educational Assistance Fund. Management at the three Southern California Hospitals will also increase the annual limit on Tuition Reimbursement for all SEIU workers per individual to $2,000.

UHW and 121 RN caregivers at the three Southern California HCA hospitals won first ever wage scales phased in through the contract. Most Southern California caregivers will receive about 40% wage increases over the life of the contract, with an initial 15% arriving in the first ten months. UHW caregivers at HCA/Regional Medical Center and HCA/Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose will receive a 17% wage increase over the life of the contract. The contract also features a longevity bonus that rewards workers when they reach their 15th and 20th years. Caregivers in 33 classifications that were earning under San Jose market rates were moved to higher pay grades above the across the board increases.

"Not only does this [contract] represent tremendous gains in wages and benefits for caregivers, it represents a great win for patients. They will now be receiving care from healthcare workers who have a real voice in staffing, who have access to education upgrade funds, and who are in hospitals that can attract and retain new staff to join some of the best caregivers in the world," said Sal Rosselli, President of SEIU United Healthcare Workers- West.

Nearly 1,000 Certified Nursing Assistants; Surgical Technicians; Housekeepers; Dietary Workers; Clerical Workers; Sterile Processing, Emergency Room, Laboratory and Operating Room Technicians; and other healthcare providers are represented by SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West at HCA/Regional Medical Center and HCA/Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose. Healthcare workers' previous contract expired at both San Jose hospitals on April 27th, 2006.

Approximately 3,000 Registered Nurses; Licensed Vocational Nurses; Certified Nursing Assistants; Surgical, Laboratory, Emergency Room and other Technicians; Respiratory Therapists; Radiology Technologists; Dietary Aides; Environmental Service Workers and other healthcare workers are represented by SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West and SEIU 121 RN at HCA/Riverside Community Hospital, HCA/West Hills Medical Center, and HCA/Los Robles Medical Center. Healthcare workers' previous contract expired at all three Southern California hospitals on June 30th, 2006.

Contact: Thea Lavin

c. 510-520-7732

SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West

CONTACT: Thea Lavin of SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West,+1-510-520-7732

Web site: http://www.seiu-uhw.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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