Contract Vote April 15th

April 8, 2008

After a long delay in bargaining due to concerns about health care issues, we have at least reached a tentative agreement with Jefferson Healthcare for a new contract.

Highlights of our Tentative Agreement

Full details of our agreement will be available at the vote meeting. Here are some highlights:

Wage Increases: Our agreement includes major pay increases this year, ranging from 2.5% to 11.5% for most classifications, to as high as 13% for RNs. (The size of the increases varies depending on how far clinic wages were behind union standards for our area.)

Over the three year term of the contract, total increase — including anniversary steps — range from 8% to 14% for most classifications, and 18% to 21% for RNs.

New Steps on the Wage Scale: The new contract will add 3 additional steps to our wage scale — Step 17, Step 19, and Step 21—with each step set at 2.5% above the previous step. This longer wage scale offers better rewards for long-term employees.

Health Care Costs: Employees’ contributions towards health care costs will be reduced for 2008 and 2009.

Other Improvements: We also negotiated for an increased Weekend Premium, a new Interpreter Premium and a new half-day holiday on Christmas Eve.